Properties of encapsulated raspberry powder and its efficacy for improving the pH, colour quality and shelf life of modified atmosphere packaged chicken nuggets.

1. Recent research has shown that encapsulated raspberry powder (RP) is a natural colourant for foodstuffs. However, no research has been conducted on its use in chicken nuggets. In addition, the effect of RP on products with and without phosphate addition is unknown. This study assessed the effects of RP (control, 0.5%, 1.0%) and phosphate (0.0%, 0.3%) on the pH and colour quality properties of nuggets.2. In the production of RP, red raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) juices were encapsulated using maltodextrin in a spray-dryer. Antioxidant activity, total anthocyanin, total phenolics, colour, moisture and pH analyses of the RP were performed.3. Nuggets were packaged in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 40%CO2 + 60%N2) and were stored at 2.0 ± 0.5°C for 120 d. The pH and external and internal surface colour (L*, a*, b*, C* and h) values were measured on d 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 of storage.4. The addition of phosphate increased the pH in the samples, while these decreased with the addition of RP (p < 0.05). During storage, the highest pH were seen in the phosphate samples and the lowest in the nuggets with 1.0% RP addition (p < 0.05).5. With the addition of phosphate, the external surface a* value of nuggets increased (p < 0.05). Depending on the level of RP added to the nuggets, the external surface L* value decreased and a* and b* values increased (p < 0.05). After d 30 of storage, the a* value increased in the samples with RP addition and this increase was higher in the with phosphate nuggets (p < 0.05).6. The internal surface a* value increased with the addition of RP during nugget production (p < 0.05). The increase in a* value was greater in samples with added phosphate (p < 0.05). During storage, the highest a* values were seen in nuggets treated with phosphate + 0.1% RP (p < 0.05). The addition of RP to chicken nugget emulsion improved redness, colour stability and shelf life.

Effects of organically-complexed minerals on meat quality in chickens.

The impact of combined lower concentrations of organically-complexed versus inorganic copper, zinc and manganese on meat quality in chickens was investigated. A total of 200 male broiler chicks (Ross-308), 1-d-old and weighing approximately 40 g, were divided into 4 groups comprising three experimental groups and one control group, with each consisting of 50 chicks. All groups were also divided into 5 subgroups, with each containing 10 broiler chicks. All birds were given a starter diet from d 1 to d 21, and a grower diet from d 22 to d 49. The diets were formulated according to the NRC recommendations. The mineral contents of the control diet were supplied using a standard inorganic mineral premix (containing 8 mg Cu as CuSO4, 40 mg Zn as ZnSO4, and 60 mg Mn as MnO, per kg). For the experimental diets, a mineral premix was prepared using organically complexed forms of those minerals at 1/3 (L1), 2/3 (L2) and 3/3 (L3) proportions. After slaughtering and evisceration, the carcases were stored at 3 ± 0·5°C for 10-12 h, and then the breast fillets removed from the carcases, and stored in a deep-freezer (-86°C) until analysis (for 30 d). For analyses, the breast muscles were then thawed at 4-6°C for 24 h. 6. The concentration of organically complexed mineral in the diet had no statistically significant effect on pH values of breast fillets. Treatments significantly affected the Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) values. Lightness (L* value) of the fillet from broilers fed the diet containing inorganic minerals was significantly lower than that for broilers fed on the diets containing organically complexed minerals. The redness (a* value) and Chroma (C* value) significantly decreased while Hues (H* value) were higher in the fillet from broilers fed organically complexed minerals compared with those fed inorganic minerals. The yellowness (b* value) was not changed by dietary treatment.

Fatty Acid composition of beef intermuscular, sheep tail, beef kidney fats and its effects on shelf life and quality properties of kavurma.

The effects of beef intermuscular (BIF), beef kidney (BKF), and sheep tail fats (STF) and storage time on fatty acid composition, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), free fatty acids (FFA), pH and L*, a*, and b* values, and Enterobacteriaceae counts of sliced vacuum-packaged Kavurma were investigated. Kavurma was made from fresh beef which contained different amounts of melted BIF, BKF, STF, and salt as 10 groups. The Kavurma was sliced 3 to 4 cm thick and was vacuum packed and stored at 4 +/- 0.5 degrees C for 360 d. Animal fat groups (BIF, STF, and BKF) had a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) in terms of both fatty acid composition and total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Used animal fat types and levels in Kavurma production had a significant effect on unsaturated fatty acid composition (except for C(18:1n9t)) (P < 0.01). C(18:1n9c) was the dominant fatty acid in all Kavurma groups, and the highest C(18:1n9c) was determined for 50% STF + 50% BKF (group 6). TBARS and FFA values were affected by the treatment (P < 0.01) and storage time (P < 0.01). The lowest TBARS value was found in group 10 (30% BIF + 35% STF + 35% BKF). There was a significant (P < 0.01) difference in FFA content in Kavurma between 0 and 180 and 360 d, and this value increased during storage time. The a* values of Kavurma decreased during storage, and the greatest decrease was determined between days 0 and 180 of storage. Enterobacteriaceae counts were determined to be under the detectable level in all Kavurma groups during storage.