Sensory acceptability of raw and extruded bovine rumen protein in processed meat products

The use of bovine rumen protein (raw and extruded) as a replacement for extruded soy protein concentrate in three meat products (pork sausage, chicken hamburger, and kibbe) was investigated. Similarity between rumen and soy protein meat products was assessed using triangle tests and sensory acceptability evaluated by consumer panelists using a nine-point hedonic scale. The addition of raw rumen protein was detected in all meat product types tested, while extruded rumen protein was only detected in kibbe. The addition of raw rumen protein decreased the acceptability of pork sausage aroma and flavor, but improved kibbe appearance, texture and overall acceptability. The addition of extruded rumen protein reduced the acceptability of chicken hamburger texture, but improved pork sausage flavor. Replacement of soy protein by bovine rumen protein is feasible based upon sensory results, but depended upon its form and the type of meat product to which it was added. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Sensory Analysis and Acceptance of Stingless Bee Honey

Stingless bee honey samples were evaluated by sensory descriptive analysis using free choice profile methodology. Appearance, flavor, and aroma were described and the data were treated with Generalized Procrustes Analysis. Individual descriptive terms ranged from 8 to 20. Plotting the samples in a bidimensional plan indicated that appearance attributes (color and viscosity) and sweet, sour and acid flavor were strongly correlated with x axis (Dimension 1) while coconut, wood, acid, sour, and sweet flavor aroma attributes were correlated with y axis (Dimension 2). The affective test was also performed and with the exception of the Melipona scutellaris honey, all the other samples showed good acceptance. Honeys that were described as sweeter and less acid were preferred by nontrained assessors, indicating that the regular consumer recognizes honey produced by Apis mellifera bee as a standard.

Physical and sensory properties of regular and reduced-fat pound cakes with added amaranth flour

The sum of wheat flour and corn starch was replaced by 10, 20, or 30% whole amaranth flour in both conventional (C) and reduced fat (RF) pound cakes. and the effects on physical and sensory properties of the cakes were investigated. RF presented 33% fat reduction. The increasing amaranth levels darkened crust and crumb of cakes, which decreased color acceptability. Fresh amaranth-containing cakes had similar texture characteristics to (he controls, evaluated both instrumentally and sensorially. Sensory evaluation revealed that replacement by 30% amaranth flour decreased C cakes overall acceptability scores, clue to its lower specific volume and darker color. Amaranth flour levels had no significant effect on overall acceptability of RF cakes. Hence, the sum of wheat flour and corn starch could be successfully replaced by up to 20% amaranth flour in C and up to 30% in RF pound cakes without negatively affecting sensory quality in fresh cakes. Moisture losses for all the cakes were similar, approximate to 1% per day during storage. After six days of storage, both C and RF amaranth-containing cakes had higher hardness and chewiness values than control cakes. Further experiments involving sensory evaluation during storage are necessary to determine the exact limit of amaranth flour replacement.

ESTIMATING SENSORY SHELF LIFE OF CHOCOLATE AND CARROT CUPCAKES USING ACCEPTANCE TESTS

This study determined the sensory shelf life of a commercial brand of chocolate and carrot cupcakes, aiming at increasing the current 120 days of shelf life to 180. Appearance, texture, flavor and overall quality of cakes stored at six different storage times were evaluated by 102 consumers. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance and linear regression. For both flavors, the texture presented a greater loss in acceptance during the storage period, showing an acceptance mean close to indifference on the hedonic scale at 120 days. Nevertheless, appearance, flavor and overall quality stayed acceptable up to 150 days. The end of shelf life was estimated at about 161 days for chocolate cakes and 150 days for carrot cakes. This study showed that the current 120 days of shelf life can be extended to 150 days for carrot cake and to 160 days for chocolate cake. However, the 180 days of shelf life desired by the company were not achieved. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This research shows the adequacy of using sensory acceptance tests to determine the shelf life of two food products (chocolate and carrot cupcakes). This practical application is useful because the precise determination of the shelf life of a food product is of vital importance for its commercial success. The maximum storage time should always be evaluated in the development or reformulation of new products, changes in packing or storage conditions. Once the physical-chemical and microbiological stability of a product is guaranteed, sensorial changes that could affect consumer acceptance will determine the end of the shelf life of a food product. Thus, the use of sensitive and reliable methods to estimate the sensory shelf life of a product is very important. Findings show the importance of determining the shelf life of each product separately and to avoid using the shelf time estimated for a specific product on other, similar products.

Involvement of sensory nerves and TRPV1 receptors in the rat airway inflammatory response to two environment pollutants: diesel exhaust particles (DEP) and 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ)

The environmental chemical 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) is implicated in the exacerbation of airways diseases induced by exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP), which involves a neurogenic-mediated mechanism. Plasma extravasation in trachea, main bronchus and lung was measured as the local (125)I-bovine albumin accumulation. RT-PCR quantification of TRPV1 and tachykinin (NK(1) and NK(2)) receptor gene expression were investigated in main bronchus. Intratracheal injection of DEP (1 and 5 mg/kg) or 1,2-NQ (35 and 100 nmol/kg) caused oedema in trachea and bronchus. 1,2-NQ markedly increased the DEP-induced responses in the rat airways in an additive rather than synergistic manner. This effect that was significantly reduced by L-732,138, an NK(1) receptor antagonist, and in a lesser extent by SR48968, an NK(2) antagonist. Neonatal capsaicin treatment also markedly reduced DEP and 1,2-NQ-induced oedema. Exposure to pollutants increased the TRPV1, NK(1) and NK(2) receptors gene expression in bronchus, an effect was partially suppressed by capsaicin treatment. In conclusion, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that DEP-induced airways oedema is highly influenced by increased ambient levels of 1,2-NQ and takes place by neurogenic mechanisms involving up-regulation of TRPV1 and tachykinin receptors.

The CATH Hierarchy Revisited-Structural Divergence in Domain Superfamilies and the Continuity of Fold Space

This paper explores the structural continuum in CATH and the extent to which superfamilies adopt distinct folds. Although most superfamilies are structurally conserved, in some of the most highly populated superfamilies (4% of all superfamilies) there is considerable structural divergence. While relatives share a similar fold in the evolutionary conserved core, diverse elaborations to this core can result in significant differences in the global structures. Applying similar protocols to examine the extent to which structural overlaps occur between different fold groups, it appears this effect is confined to just a few architectures and is largely due to small, recurring super-secondary motifs (e.g., alpha beta-motifs, alpha-hairpins). Although 24% of superfamilies overlap with superfamilies having different folds, only 14% of nonredundant structures in CATH are involved in overlaps. Nevertheless, the existence of these overlaps suggests that, in some regions of structure space, the fold universe should be seen as more continuous.

Ric-8B interacts with G alpha olf and G gamma 13 and co-localizes with G alpha olf, G beta 1 and G gamma 13 in the cilia of olfactory sensory neurons

Olfactory sensory neurons are able to detect odorants with high sensitivity and specificity. We have demonstrated that Ric-8B, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), interacts with G alpha olf and enhances odorant receptor signaling. Here we show that Ric-8B also interacts with G gamma 13, a divergent member of the G gamma subunit family which has been implicated in taste signal transduction, and is abundantly expressed in the cilia of olfactory sensory neurons. We show that G beta 1 is the predominant GP subunit expressed in the olfactory sensory neurons. Ric-8B and G beta 1, like G alpha olf and G gamma 13, are enriched in the cilia of olfactory sensory neurons. We also show that Ric-8B interacts with G alpha olf in a nucleotide dependent manner, consistent with the role as a GEF. Our results constitute the first example of a GEF protein that interacts with two different olfactory G protein subunits and further implicate Ric-8B as a regulator of odorant signal transduction. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.