ABSTRACT
In this study lupin-based milk alternative (LBMA), obtained from protein isolate of Lupinus angustifolius cv. Boregine, was homogenized and was subjected to different heat treatments (unheated; pasteurized: 80°C, 60s; ultra-high temperature heating (UHT): 140°C, 10s). Upon thermal treatment, lupin proteins, namely ß-conglutin and α-conglutin, were stepwise denatured, which was accompanied by the exposure of masked sulfhydryl groups, the decrease of free sulfhydryl groups and reoxidation to disulfide bridges. Moreover, quaternary structure of lupin proteins was influenced upon heat treatment displayed with molecular weight distribution (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Further, particle size distribution showed that heat treatment promoted the formation of smaller particles. Differently heated LBMA were additionally fermented to lupin-based yogurt alternatives (LBYA) with different lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum TMW 1.460 and 1.1468, Pediococcus pentosaceus BGT B34 and Lactobacillus brevis BGT L150) and microstructural observations (Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, cryo-Scanning Electron Microscopy) were performed. Micrographs showed that harsher thermal treatments of LBMA (UHT heating) led to more close-meshed microstructures of respective LBYA. Further, the choice of microorganisms seemed to play a decisive role in microstructural appearance of respective LBYA as the composition of the networks were fundamental different.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: The objective of this study was the fundamental investigation of the antimicrobial efficiency of various hop extracts against selected foodborne pathogens in vitro, as well as their activity against Listeria monocytogenes in a model meat marinade and on marinated pork tenderloins. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a first step, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of three hop extracts containing either α- or ß-acids or xanthohumol were determined against test bacteria including L. monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli by a colorimetric method based on the measurement of bacterial metabolic activity. Moreover, the influence of either lactic or citric acid on the antimicrobial activity of the hop extracts was evaluated. The efficiency of hop extracts as a natural food preservative was then tested in a model meat marinade at 2 and 8°C, respectively, and finally on marinated pork. The experiments showed that Gram-positive bacteria were strongly inhibited by hop extracts containing ß-acids and xanthohumol (MIC values of 6.3 and 12.5 ppm, respectively), whereas the antimicrobial activity of the investigated α-acid extract was significantly lower (MIC values of 200 ppm). Gram-negative bacteria were highly resistant against all tested hop extracts. Acidification of the test media led to a decrease of the MIC values. The inhibitory activity of the hop extracts against L. monocytogenes was strongly reduced in a fat-containing model meat marinade, but the efficiency of ß-acids in this matrix could be increased by lowering pH and storage temperatures. By applying 0.5 % ß-acids at pH = 5 in a model marinade, the total aerobic count of pork tenderloins was reduced up to 0.9 log10 compared with marinated pork without hop extract after 2 weeks of storage at 5°C. CONCLUSIONS: ß-acid containing hop extracts have proven to possess a high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria in vitro and in a practice-related application for food preservation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Antimicrobial hop extracts could be used as natural preservatives in food applications to extend the shelf life and to increase the safety of fresh products.
