Coliforms in processed mango: Significance and control

The aims of this investigation were to enumerate coliforms in fresh mangoes, puree, cheeks, and cheeks-in-puree in order to determine the source of these organisms in the processed products, to determine methods for their control, and to identify coliforms isolated from cheeks-in-puree to determine whether they have any public health significance. Product from four processors was tested on two occasions. The retail packs of cheeks-in-puree having the highest coliform counts were those in which raw puree was added to the cheeks. Coliform counts in these samples ranged between 1.4 × 103 and 5.4 × 104 cfu/g. Pasteurisation reduced the coliform count of raw puree to < 5 cfu/g. Forty-seven percent of the 73 colonies, isolated as coliforms on the basis of their colony morphology on violet red bile agar, were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae using the ATB 32E Identification System. Klebsiella strains were tested for growth at 10 °C, faecal coliform response, and fermentation of -melizitose, to differentiate the three phenotypically similar strains, K. pneumoniae, K. terrigena and K planticola. Results indicated that 41% of K. pneumoniae isolates gave reactions typical of K. pneumoniae. A further 44% of strains gave an atypical reaction pattern for these tests and were designated ‘psychrotrophic’ K. pneumoniae. Klebsiella pneumoniae counts of between 2.1 × 103 and 4.9 × 104 cfu/g were predicted to occur in the retail packs of mango cheeks-in-puree produced by the processors who constituted this product with raw puree. In view of the opportunistic pathogenic nature of K. pneumoniae, its presence in these products is considered undesirable and steps, such as pasteurisation of puree, should be taken in order to inactivate it

Reducing Browning of Fresh-cut ‘Maha’ Carambola with Chemical Additives and Low-oxygen Atmospheres

The greatest attraction to using carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) in the fresh-cut market is the star shape that the fruit presents after a transverse cut. Carambola is well-suited for minimal processing, but cut surface browning is a main cause of deterioration. This problem is exacerbated as a result of mechanical injuries occurring during processing and is mainly induced by the leakage of phenolic compounds from the vacuole and subsequent oxidation by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) (Augustin et al., 1985). The use of browning inhibitors in processed fruits is restricted to compounds that are non-toxic, ‘wholesome’, and that do not adversely affect taste and flavour (Gil et al., 1998). In the past, browning was mainly controlled by the action of sulphites, but the use of this compound has declined due to allergic reactions in asthmatics (Weller et al., 1995). The shelf life of fresh-cut products may be extended by a combination of oxygen exclusion and the use of enzymatic browning inhibitors. The objectives of this work were to determine the effects of: (1) post-cutting chemical treatments of ascorbic, citric, oxalic acids, and EDTA-Ca; (2) atmospheric modification; and (3) combinations of the above, on the shelf life of carambola slices based on appearance, colour and polyphenol oxidase activity

Effect of the puroindoline locus and environment on Chinese fresh noodle texture

Grain produced from doubled-haploid (DH) wheat lines, developed from a hard- and a soft-grained wheat cultivar, were bulked according to Pinb (puroindoline b) genotypes for an assessment of Chinese fresh noodle texture by a trained taste panel. Each DH line was designated as 'soft' or 'hard' grained, based on a PCR amplification of the wildtype, soft allele, or the mutant, hard allele. Theoretically, the soft and hard grain bulks represented respective Pinb alleles and an independent assortment of unlinked alleles from the parents, Sunco and Chuanyu 12. Grains from the parents and DH lines were grown at 2 locations in Queensland, Australia, and one in Sichuan, China. The grains were milled and processed for a taste panel evaluation in Chengdu, Sichuan. Results suggest the Pinb alleles had a significant effect on noodle softness and explained 30% of the variation; the 'soft' Pinb allele conferred a softer noodle texture. Location had a significant effect on noodle smoothness; wheat grain grown at Biloela, Queensland, produced a smoother noodle texture than grain grown in Sichuan. The effect of location confirms the importance of environment as a variable for this quality character. This investigation exemplifies the utility of Pinb markers for specifically altering Chinese Fresh Noodle texture.

Assessment of nutritional and metabolic profiles of pea shoots: The new ready-to-eat baby-leaf vegetable

Pea-shoots are a new option as ready-to-eat baby-leaf vegetable. However, data about the nutritional composition and the shelf-life stability of these leaves, especially their phytonutrient composition is scarce. In this work, the macronutrient, micronutrient and phytonutrients profile of minimally processed pea shoots were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of a 10-day storage period. Several physicochemical characteristics (color, pH, total soluble solids, and total titratable acidity) were also monitored. Standard AOAC methods were applied in the nutritional value evaluation, while chromatographic methods with UV–vis and mass detection were used to analyze free forms of vitamins (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS), carotenoids (HPLC-DAD-APCI-MSn) and flavonoid compounds (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn). Atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-AAS) was employed to characterize the mineral content of the leaves. As expected, pea leaves had a high water (91.5%) and low fat (0.3%) and carbohydrate (1.9%) contents, being a good source of dietary fiber (2.1%). Pea shoots showed a high content of vitamins C, E and A, potassium and phosphorous compared to other ready-to-eat green leafy vegetables. The carotenoid profile revealed a high content of β-carotene and lutein, typical from green leafy vegetables. The leaves had a mean flavonoid content of 329 mg/100 g of fresh product, mainly composed by glycosylated quercetin and kaempferol derivatives. Pea shoots kept their fresh appearance during the storage being color maintained throughout the shelf-life. The nutritional composition was in general stable during storage, showing some significant (p < 0.05) variation in certain water-soluble vitamins.

Effect of processed and red meat on endogenous nitrosation and DNA damage

Haem in red meat (RM) stimulates the endogenous production of mutagenic nitroso compounds (NOC). Processed (nitrite-preserved red) meat additionally contains high concentrations of preformed NOC. In two studies, of a fresh RM versus a vegetarian (VEG) diet (six males and six females) and of a nitrite-preserved red meat (PM) versus a VEG diet (5 males and 11 females), we investigated whether processing of meat might increase colorectal cancer risk by stimulating nitrosation and DNA damage. Meat diets contained 420 g (males) or 366 g (females) meat/per day. Faecal homogenates from day 10 onwards were analysed for haem and NOC and asso- ciated supernatants for genotoxicity. Means are adjusted for differ- ences in male to female ratios between studies. Faecal NOC concentrations on VEG diets were low (2.6 and 3.5 mmol/g) but significantly higher on meat diets (PM 175 ± 19 nmol/g versus RM 185 ± 22 nmol/g; P 5 0.75). The RM diet resulted in a larger pro- portion of nitrosyl iron (RM 78% versus PM 54%; P < 0.0001) and less nitrosothiols (RM 12% versus PM 19%; P < 0.01) and other NOC (RM 10% versus PM 27%; P < 0.0001). There was no statis- tically significant difference in DNA breaks induced by faecal water (FW) following PM and RM diets (P 5 0.80). However, PM re- sulted in higher levels of oxidized pyrimidines (P < 0.05). Surpris- ingly, VEG diets resulted in significantly more FW-induced DNA strand breaks than the meat diets (P < 0.05), which needs to be clarified in further studies. Meats cured with nitrite have the same effect as fresh RM on endogenous nitrosation but show increased FW-induced oxidative DNA damage.

Increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods and likely impact on human health: evidence from Brazil

Objective: To assess time trends in the contribution of processed foods to food purchases made by Brazilian households and to explore the potential impact on the overall quality of the diet. Design: Application of a new classification of foodstuffs based on extent and purpose of food processing to data collected by comparable probabilistic household budget surveys. The classification assigns foodstuffs to the following groups: unprocessed/minimally processed foods (Group 1); processed culinary ingredients (Group 2); or ultra-processed ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat food products (Group 3). Setting: Eleven metropolitan areas of Brazil. Subjects: Households; n 13 611 in 1987-8, n 16 014 in 1995-5 and n 13 848 in 2002-3. Results: Over the last three decades, the household consumption of Group 1 and Group 2 foods has been steadily replaced by consumption of Group 3 ultra-processed food products, both overall and in lower- and upper-income groups. In the 2002-3 survey, Group 3 items represented more than one-quarter of total energy (more than one-third for higher-income households). The overall nutrient profile of Group 3 items, compared with that of Group 1 and Group 2 items, revealed more added sugar, more saturated fat, more sodium, less fibre and much higher energy density. Conclusions: The high energy density and the unfavourable nutrition profiling of Group 3 food products, and also their potential harmful effects on eating and drinking behaviours, indicate that governments and health authorities should use all possible methods, including legislation and statutory regulation, to halt and reverse the replacement of minimally processed foods and processed culinary ingredients by ultra-processed food products.

Temperatura e tipo de preparo na conservação de produto minimamente processado de abacaxi-'Pérola'

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do tipo de preparo (rodelas e metades) e da temperatura de armazenamento (3ºC, 6ºC e 9ºC) na conservação de produto minimamente processado de abacaxi-'Pérola'. Os frutos, depois de selecionados, lavados e desinfectados com cloro, foram armazenados por 12 horas a 10ºC, antes de serem processados sob condições higiênicas, embalados em contentores de polietileno tereftalatado (rodelas) ou bandeja de isopor recoberta com filme de cloreto de polivinila esticável (metades) e armazenados por até 12 dias. Os produtos foram avaliados quanto à evolução da atmosfera interna na embalagem, respiração, quantidade de suco drenado e evolução da massa fresca e da aparência. Foram testadas, durante o período de armazenamento, a aceitabilidade pelos consumidores, no início do experimento e enquanto a aparência e a análise microbiológica permitiram. A presença de bactérias mesofílicas e coliformes totais e fecais foi avaliada a cada três dias. Durante o armazenamento, a porcentagem de O2 nas embalagens apresentou decréscimo, enquanto a de CO2 aumentou até 20% para as metades e até 1,86% para as rodelas. A intensidade dos cortes no preparo teve influência direta na respiração, assim como nas perdas de suco e de massa fresca. A temperatura influenciou na respiração e foi fator limitante à vida de prateleira do produto, pois os produtos armazenados a 9ºC, conservaram-se por 6 dias, enquanto os mantidos a 3ºC e 6ºC, por até 9 dias.

Qualidade de cebola minimamente processada e armazenada sob refrigeração

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Processamento mínimo de uvas de mesa sem semente

O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os aspectos qualitativos de uvas de mesa apirênicas (sem sementes) quando submetidas ao processamento mínimo e armazenadas sob refrigeração. Para tanto, foram utilizadas uvas da cultivar BRS Morena e da Seleção Avançada nº 8, produzidas na Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) Uva e Vinho/Estação Experimental de Viticultura Tropical (da Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) de Jales). Os cachos, depois de higienizados, imersos em água clorada a 300 mg de cloro.L-1 por 5 min., foram mantidos em câmara fria, a 12ºC, por 12 h. Pessoas treinadas e com proteção adequada procederam à degrana dos cachos e ao posterior enxágüe das bagas com água clorada (20 mg.L-1) a 12ºC. Depois de escorrido o excesso de água, as bagas foram acondicionadas em bandejas de tereftalato de polietileno (PET) transparente com tampa e com capacidade para 500 mL. Cada unidade, contendo 200 g de bagas, foi armazenada a 2,5 ± 1ºC e 88% UR por até 36 dias. Avaliaram-se a perda de massa fresca, a evolução da aparência, a coloração e os teores de sólidos solúveis totais (SST), e de acidez titulável (AT). Nas condições do experimento, os produtos minimamente processados da cv. BRS Morena e da Seleção 8 apresentaram baixa perda acumulada de massa fresca (0,16%). O produto da cv. Morena apresentou-se mais escuro (L = 25,04) e mais arroxeado (h° = 332,88) que o da Seleção 8 (L = 29,86 e h° = 345,11), propiciando-lhe melhor qualidade visual. O suco da 'BRS Morena' apresentou maiores teores de SST (22,17 °Brix) e menores para a AT (0,56 %), o que resultou em uma relação SST/AT maior e melhor (39,76) que o da Seleção 8 (18,81). A cv. BRS Morena também apresentou boa manutenção da aparência e, portanto, da qualidade comercial, por 33 dias a 2,5°C, superior ao obtido para a Seleção 8 (24 dias).

Efeito do tipo de descasque e da temperatura de armazenamento na qualidade de laranjas 'Pera' minimamente processadas

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do tipo de descasque, manual, mecânico e enzimático, e do armazenamento, a 5ºC e 10ºC e ambiente (21-23ºC), na vida útil de laranjas 'Pêra' do tipo Rio, minimamente processadas. As laranjas foram colhidas maduras, e imediatamente lavadas, higienizadas e descascadas. Após a eliminação da casca, as frutas foram desinfetadas e embaladas em bandejas de isopor revestidas com filme PVC esticável. Durante o armazenamento sob as diferentes temperaturas, avaliaram-se a aparência, a quantidade de suco drenado, o aparecimento de podridões, a perda de massa fresca, a intensidade respiratória, os conteúdos de O2 e CO2 no interior das embalagens, a coloração, os teores de ácido ascórbico (AA) e de sólidos solúveis totais (SST), e acidez titulável (AT), assim como a relação SST/AT. Foram realizadas avaliações microbiológicas, bem como testes de aceitabilidade e de preferência de compra pelo consumidor. Somente os produtos descascados enzimaticamente (DE) apresentaram perda de suco, que aumentou com o tempo e a temperatura de armazenamento. A perda de massa fresca ocorreu em todos os produtos, mas os DE e os armazenados a 21-23ºC apresentaram os maiores valores. Todas as laranjas processadas apresentaram pico respiratório na primeira hora após o descascamento, seguido de redução e estabilização. O descascamento enzimático e as menores temperaturas de armazenamento levaram aos teores mais elevados de O2 e aos mais baixos de CO2, nas embalagens. As frutas processadas apresentarem baixa contagem de microrganismos mesófilos, psicrófilos e coliformes totais, e ausência de coliformes fecais. Podridões apareceram nas descascadas manual (DM) e mecanicamente (DME) após 13 dias, 8 dias e 4 dias a 5ºC e 10ºC e ambiente (21-23ºC), respectivamente. Os produtos obtidos com descascamento manual (DM) não diferiram dos DME ou DE, quanto aos teores de AT, SST e AA e relação SST/AT. Os produtos DM e DME, armazenados a 5ºC, foram os preferidos pelos provadores e apresentaram boa aparência por 19 dias e bom sabor por 23 dias. Os DE e armazenados a 5ºC apresentaram boa aparência por 4 dias e sabor desagradável no 1º dia.

Efeito do cloreto de cálcio na qualidade de melancias minimamente processadas

Foi avaliada a qualidade de melancias minimamente processadas, tratadas com cloreto de cálcio, durante o armazenamento sob refrigeração. Utilizaram-se melancias 'Crimson Sweet', maduras, adquiridas no comércio de Piracicaba, SP, oriundas do Rio Grande do Sul. Os frutos foram lavados e desinfetados com água clorada (200 mg L-1). A polpa foi cortada em cubos (2,5 cm de aresta), os quais foram imersos, por 3 min nas soluções que corresponderam aos tratamentos, imersão em água pura (controle), solução de cloreto de cálcio a 1%. em seguida foram escorridos por 3 min, acondicionados em copos de tereftalato de polietileno (PET) transparente de 450 mL de capacidade, com tampa, e armazenados sob refrigeração a 10,0 ± 3,2°C e 79% UR. A cada dois dias, os pedaços foram avaliados sensorialmente e quanto à perda de massa fresca, aparência, coloração interna, textura, teores de sólidos solúveis (SS) e de acidez titulável (AT), pH, relação SS/AT e conteúdos de ácido ascórbico e de pectinas, solúvel e total. O uso da solução de cloreto de cálcio promoveu maior firmeza na textura de melancias minimamente processadas, porém não se mostrou efetivo no prolongamento da vida útil, que foi de 2 dias do ponto de vista sensorial.

Cultivar affects browning susceptibility of freshly cut star fruit slices

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Clinical similarities and histological diversity comparing fresh frozen onlay bone blocks allografts and autografts in human maxillary reconstruction

Background: In the absence of autologous bone for harvesting, fresh-frozen bone allografts turned into an alternative for bone reconstruction procedures. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to make a histological analysis of fresh-frozen onlay bone allografts (ALs), compared with autografts, in patients who needed maxillary reconstruction prior to dental implants placement. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with bone deficiencies (width inferior to 4mm) in the sites where the implants were planned were enrolled in the study. From these, six were elected to be treated with autogenous (AT) bone grafts and six with fresh-frozen bone AL. This last group included the patients who had absence of a convenient amount of bone in donor sites. Each patient received from one to six graft blocks, totalling to 12 ATs and 17 ALs. Seven months after grafting procedures, biopsies of the grafts were made using 2-mm internal diameter trephine burs, and processed for histological analysis. One biopsy was retrieved from each patient. Results: Clinically, all grafts were found to be firm in consistency and well-incorporated to the receptor bed. Histological analysis showed a large amount of necrotic bone surrounded by few spots of new-formed bone in the AL group, suggesting low rate of graft remodeling. In the AT group, an advanced stage of bone remodeling was seen. Conclusions: Human fresh-frozen bone block AL showed clinical compatibility for grafting procedures, although associated to slow remodeling process. Further studies are needed to define, at long term, the remodeling process chronology the clinical longitudinal results for fresh-frozen bone AL. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aspectos higiênicos-sanitários de vegetais minimamente processados e perfil de resistência das leveduras isoladas frente ao hipoclorito de sódio e ozônio

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)