Effects of Çemen pastes prepared in different formulations on physicochemical, microbiological, and textural properties of beef hamburger patties during refrigerated storage.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of çemen pastes prepared in different formulations on physicochemical, microbiological, and textural properties of hamburgers during refrigerated storage (4°C; 60 d). Çemen pastes were produced by using different combination doses of fenugreek seed flour, sweet red pepper, and garlic powder. As a result of çemen paste usage in hamburgers, cooking losses and dimensional shrinkage decreased, whereas moisture and fat retention ratios increased (p < .05). The hardness, gumminess, and chewiness values of hamburgers containing çemen paste were generally lower than those of control (p < .05). Çemen paste addition to hamburgers generally did not cause a difference in terms of microbial growth and moisture, fat and ash contents. Protein contents of hamburgers containing çemen paste or breadcrumbs were generally higher than that of control (p < .05). Çemen paste usage in hamburgers generally decreased the L* values and increased the b* values (p < .05). In general, addition of 3.5% or higher doses of both sweet red pepper and garlic powder caused higher a* values in hamburger patties (p < .05). Lower oxidation levels were generally observed in hamburgers containing 3% or lower doses of fenugreek seed flour and 4.5% of garlic powder in çemen paste (p < .05). It was concluded that çemen paste usage in hamburger patty processing has the potential to improve the quality characteristics and delay oxidative changes.

Enrichment of wheat flour with Spirulina. Evaluation of thermal damage to essential amino acids during bread preparation.

Microalgae and cyanobacteria represent a sustainable and valuable source of essential amino acids and bio-active molecules (e.g. poly-unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants) which, if added to staple food, could enrich its nutritional profile and the human diet. In this study, two different composite mixtures were obtained by adding different percentages (1% and 2%) of Spirulina powder to "Italian type 1" semi-whole wheat flour (W = 300) after which the chemical, physical, alveographic, and rheological parameters were subsequently analyzed. Spirulina powder did not cause drastic changes at the rheological level when added up to 2%. Furthermore, the concentration of proteins significantly increased in the samples enriched with 1% Spirulina (3.17%) and 2% Spirulina (5.12%), while at the same time the gluten content decreased by 5.62% and 7.41%, respectively. The total amount of essential amino acids in the samples enriched with 1% and 2% Spirulina (48,209 and 55,286 mgaa/kgDW, respectively), was higher in comparison with 45,433 mgaa/kgDW of the control, and those concentrations were maintained after the baking process. Spirulina powder confirmed the hypothesis of being able to improve the supply of essential amino acids that is lacking in wheat flour. The next steps include an investigation into the sensory and liking characteristics of the product.