The Impact of a Phytobiotic Mixture on Broiler Chicken Health and Meat Safety.

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of different doses of a phytobiotic mixture on selected production parameters and meat quality and to assess the residue of the preparation in tissues and the possible toxic effects in broiler chickens. Broiler chicks aged 160 days, divided into four equal groups, were supplemented with the phytobiotic mixture at different doses, D1-0.5 mL/L, D2-1 mL/L, and D3-2 mL/L, four times during a 42-day trial. There were no statistically significant differences in weight gain per week of life and mortality in the birds. The study also demonstrated that the use of the mixture of phytobiotics had no significant effect on colour, pH, WHC, and natural leakage. However, a beneficial effect of the additive was found in the group treated with a dose of 1 mL/L, where less thermal leakage from the meat was demonstrated. Furthermore, significant differences in the change in thigh muscle tenderness were also observed. In the histopathological analysis of the liver no significant differences were observed. In addition, no residues of the mixture or its metabolites were found in the tissues analysed. In conclusion, the proposed scheme of administration of the phytobiotic additive, regardless of the dose, does not cause pathological changes in organs and does not carry the risk of residues of the product in tissues intended for human consumption.

The sex impact on the technological and chemical characteristics of meat derived from the Polish native chicken breed.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the birds' sex as well as the caponisation influence on the technological traits of obtained meat, fatty acids profile as well as main chemical compounds distribution. In this study, 40 hens, roosters and green-legged partridge capons each were used (4 replications each). At 24 weeks of age, 2 birds from each replication subgroup were selected and slaughtered. During dissection analysis, pectoral and femoral muscles were sampled. Acidity, colour, tenderness, water holding capacity, drip and cooking loss were determined in the obtained material. The fatty acid profile of the meat was also determined, as well as the distribution of components in the pressed meat samples using FTIR spectroscopy. Statistically significant differences in the colour lightness index (L*) of the breast muscles were recorded, with cockerel meat being the darkest and capon meat the lightest. The greatest natural water loss was recorded in the hens' pectoral muscle; cooking loss was also the greatest in these samples. Roosters showed significantly the lowest content of monounsaturated fatty acids, at the same time the highest proportion of the n3 fatty acids group was found in capons. Irrespective of muscle, meat from roosters showed the highest susceptibility to oxidation (PI index). The variation in the chemical composition of the meat was confirmed by FTIR mapping.

Fatty Acids Profile and Antioxidant Properties of Raw Fermented Sausages with the Addition of Tomato Pomace.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of tomato pomace (TP) on physicochemical parameters and fatty acid profile as well as antioxidant properties of dry fermented sausages with a reduced content of nitrites. Four different sausage formulations were prepared: control sample, and samples with 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% addition of freeze-dried TP. The sausages were analyzed for: chemical composition, pH and water activity, fatty acid profile, color parameters, biogenic content, and number of lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriacea. The antioxidant properties were also assessed depending on the amount of TP used. The products were characterized by similar water activity and pH in the range of 0.877-0.895 and 4.55-4.81, respectively. The effect of the addition of freeze-dried TP on an increase in antioxidant activity along with an increase in the concentration of the additive was observed. This phenomenon was most likely due to the strong antioxidant properties of tomato as well as the high content of lycopene. The antimicrobial properties of TP in raw fermented sausages were also noted as the product with the highest concentration of pomace had the lowest number of Enterobacteriaceae. In addition, sausages with reduced levels of nitrites to which TP was added were characterized by a higher redness, which will probably have a positive impact on the assessment consumers make of them. The most promising results were obtained for the dry fermented sausage with 1.5% addition of TP.

The Effect of Salvia hispanica and Nigella sativa Seed on the Volatile Profile and Sensory Parameters Related to Volatile Compounds of Dry Fermented Sausage.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of Salvia hispanica and Nigella sativa seed addition on the volatile compounds and sensory characteristics (with particular emphasis on odor and flavor) of traditionally produced dry fermented sausages with reduced nitrites. Five different sausage formulations were prepared: control sample; samples with 1% and 2% addition of chia seed; samples with 1% and 2% addition of black cumin seed. The sausages were subjected to analysis including proximate chemical composition, volatile compound determination, and sensory analysis. The sausages with chia seed in the amounts of 1% and 2% as well as the sample with 1% addition of black cumin seed were characterized by positive sensory features, and their overall quality was rated above 7 c.u. on a 10-point scale, similar to the control sausage. Sausage samples with the addition of cumin seed were characterized by the highest herbal odor and flavor. The addition of Salvia hispanica and Nigella sativa seed significantly affected the amount of volatile compounds in fermented sausages. Sausages with black cumin presented the greatest amount of total volatile compounds, mainly contributed by terpenes.

Growth performance and meat quality of meat-type guinea fowl fed different commercial diets.

The aim of study was to assess the growth performance, meat quality, and fatty acid composition of meat-type guinea fowl fed balanced commercial diets under two different feeding programs, similar to those for slaughter turkeys and broiler chickens, respectively. A total of 80 4-week-old meat-type guinea fowl divided into two groups (four replicates per group; 10 birds in each replicate) were raised for 14 weeks. One group received commercially available diets in a three-phased program (TM group), whereas the other group was fed commercial diets in a two-phased program (CM group). Growth-performance-related traits were recorded. At the end of rearing (14 weeks of age), eight birds from each group were slaughtered. Carcass yield and technological traits of meat (pH, color, water-holding capacity, natural and thermal loss, tenderness, fatty acid profile) were analyzed. Groups did not differ in terms of body weight as well as carcass yield and characteristics. There was no difference in meat quality and the fatty acid profile of breast and thigh meat of guinea fowl from TM and CM groups. The findings of this study suggest that both commercial diets (for broiler chickens and turkeys) can be used in meat-type guinea fowl rearing. Due to the lower price of diets fed to the CM group and the lack of significant variation in meat quality traits, its use seems to be more justified from an economic point of view.

The Variability of Quality Traits of Table Eggs and Eggshell Mineral Composition Depending on Hens' Breed and Eggshell Color.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the eggshell color parameters and its mineral composition as well as the internal quality of eggs derived from various breeds of hens, varied by eggshell color: seledine from Araucana, brown from Marans, and white from Leghorn. The sample consisted of 180 eggs (60/group) The eggshell color was measured using CIE L*a*b* system. The quality evaluation included traits of whole egg (weight, specific gravity, proportions of elements, shape index), yolk (weight, color, index, pH), albumen (weight, height, pH), and shell (color, strength, weight, thickness, density). The mineral composition of eggshells was analyzed. The eggs origin affected the quality characteristics of particular egg elements (p < 0.001). However, the impact of analyzed colors on the egg quality traits varied, and in the case of whole egg and albumen traits the most favorable was the white color (p ≤ 0.05), while in the case of the strength of shell or its thickness it was the dark brown color (p ≤ 0.05). The eggshell color influenced variations in its mineral composition (p < 0.001) except potassium and sodium content, while the proportion of particular mineral elements in shell was correlated with the L*a*b* color space coordinates (p ≤ 0.05).

Fatty Acid Profile and Antioxidative Properties of Peptides Isolated from Fermented Lamb Loin Treated with Fermented Milk.

This study evaluated the impact of fermented milk maceration on fermented lamb loin without nitrate to obtain peptides with high activity against oxidative changes (ABTS, DPPH, reducing power) as well as a favorable fatty acid profile, including CLA content. Additionally, an attempt was made to evaluate the influence of the lamb breed on the assessed properties. Raw loins (m. Longissimus dorsi) obtained from sheep of three polish breeds-Wrzosówka, Uhruska, and Swiniarka-and fermented products were tested. The fermented loins obtained after 14 days of processing were characterized by pH and water activity values in the ranges, respectively, 4.76-5.12 and 0.902-0.915. The maceration of meat in a fermented milk has caused greater acidification of the meat during fermentation. Statistical analysis indicated that treatment was the factor with significant effect on peptide content; no effect of animal breed was found. The peptide content isolated from raw meat ranged from 2.90 to 4.31 mg g-1 of sample, while in fermented meat products it was significant higher (11.59-16.37 mg g-1 of product). The antioxidant properties of peptides were positively correlated with peptides content. The maceration in fermented milk resulted in a statistically significant increase of ABTS value in case of fermented lamb loin of Swiniarka breed. The raw meat and fermented meat products form the Swiniarka lamb breed were characterized by the highest content of the total CLA isomers. The main CLA isomer found was cis9-trans11 (rumenic acid), followed by cis9-cis11, trans9-trans11, and trans10-cis12. The rumenic acid content was higher than, respectively, 87% and 80-88% of total CLA isomers in case of raw meat and fermented lamb loins of three breeds.

Bioactive Compounds in Fermented Sausages Prepared from Beef and Fallow Deer Meat with Acid Whey Addition.

The present study examined the effect of the type of meat (beef and fallow deer) and the addition of freeze-dried acid whey on nutritional values and the content of bioactive compounds (peptides, L-carnitine, glutathione, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)) in uncured fermented sausages. The antioxidant properties of isolated peptides (ABTS, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power) were also evaluated. The results showed that fallow deer sausages had higher peptide content than beef products. The addition of acid whey caused a decrease in the content of peptides, especially in fallow deer sausages. The glutathione content in beef sausages (22.91-25.28 mg 100 g-1 of sausage) was quite higher than that of fallow deer sausages (10.04-11.59 mg 100 g-1 of sausage). The obtained results showed a significantly higher content of CLA in beef sausages than in products from fallow deer meat. In conclusion, products prepared from fallow deer meat have generally higher nutritional value because of the content of peptides, their antioxidant properties, and the content of L-carnitine, while beef products have higher levels of CLA and glutathione.

Comparison of the effect of freeze-dried acid whey on physicochemical properties of organic fermented sausages made from beef and fallow deer meat.

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of freeze-dried acid whey on physicochemical properties and microbial changes of organic fermented sausages made from beef and fallow deer meat. Five formulations of sausages from each species were made. The results show that processing time and species of meat were the high significant factor on tested parameters. Variants and interactions between main factors influenced at different levels of significance on some tested attributes. At the end of processing fallow deer sausages were characterised by the lower pH (4.79 ± 0.01-4.90 ± 0.02 for fallow deer and 5.04 ± 0.00-5.25 ± 0.03 for beef sausages) and the content of 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (1.54 ± 0.09-2.81 ± 0.23 and 1.64 ± 0.15-5.06 ± 0.25 respectively) than sausages made from beef meat. In conclusion, the addition of freeze-dried acid whey in varying amounts did not significantly affect the physicochemical characteristics of sausages from both fallow deer and beef. However, further research is needed to compare the effect of acid whey on the nutritional values of raw fermented sausages from fallow deer and beef.

Nitrates/Nitrites in Food-Risk for Nitrosative Stress and Benefits.

In the context of impact on human health, nitrite/nitrate and related nitrogen species such as nitric oxide (NO) are a matter of increasing scientific controversy. An increase in the content of reactive nitrogen species may result in nitrosative stress-a deleterious process, which can be an important mediator of damage to cell structures, including lipids, membranes, proteins and DNA. Nitrates and nitrites are widespread in the environment and occur naturally in foods of plant origin as a part of the nitrogen cycle. Additionally, these compounds are used as additives to improve food quality and protect against microbial contamination and chemical changes. Some vegetables such as raw spinach, beets, celery and lettuce are considered to contain high concentrations of nitrates. Due to the high consumption of vegetables, they have been identified as the primary source of nitrates in the human diet. Processed meats are another source of nitrites in our diet because the meat industry uses nitrates/nitrites as additives in the meat curing process. Although the vast majority of consumed nitrates and nitrites come from natural vegetables and fruits rather than food additives, there is currently a great deal of consumer pressure for the production of meat products free of or with reduced quantities of these compounds. This is because, for years, the cancer risks of nitrates/nitrites have been considered, since they potentially convert into the nitrosamines that have carcinogenic effects. This has resulted in the development and rapid expansion of meat products processed with plant-derived nitrates as nitrite alternatives in meat products. On the other hand, recently, these two ions have been discussed as essential nutrients which allow nitric oxide production and thus help cardiovascular health. Thus, this manuscript reviews the main sources of dietary exposure to nitrates and nitrites, metabolism of nitrites/nitrates, and health concerns related to dietary nitrites/nitrates, with particular emphasis on the effect on nitrosative stress, the role of nitrites/nitrates in meat products and alternatives to these additives used in meat products.

Influence of freeze-dried acid whey addition on biogenic amines formation in a beef and deer dry fermented sausages without added nitrite.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of freeze-dried acid whey addition and the use a game meat (fallow deer) on a microbial content and the biogenic amines formation in dry fermented sausages. METHODS: The experiment involved dry fermented sausages made in two variants from beef and from fallow deer. Each variant was divided into five groups: control (with a curing mixture), reference (with a sea salt), sample with a liquid acid whey and two samples with the addition of reconstituted freeze-dried acid whey in different concentrations. Changes in lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Enterobacteriaceae content and biogenic amines content were determined. RESULTS: The microbial content changes suggest that addition of acid whey slightly affected lactic acid bacteria content in comparison with the control and reference sample, but the addition of freeze-dried acid whey resulted in a reduction of Enterobacteriaceae content in the sausages from fallow deer or a similar level in the beef sausages compared with the control and reference sample. Both changes in lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae content were more evident in case of sausages made from fallow deer. Addition of acid whey (liquid and a higher amount of freeze-dried) and use of fallow deer meat to produce the sausages resulted in a significant reduction of total biogenic amines content. CONCLUSION: The addition of acid whey (liquid and higher amount of freeze-dried) resulted in a significant reduction of total biogenic amines content in dry fermented sausages made from fallow deer meat.

Comparison of selected parameters related to food safety of fallow deer and beef uncured fermented sausages with freeze-dried acid whey addition.

This study determines the possibility of using freeze-dried acid whey as an alternative to nitrate/nitrite in fermented sausages made from fallow deer meat. The study compared the parameters related to food safety as well as the content of biogenic amines (BAs) in the sausages made from beef meat and fallow deer meat. The results showed slight differences in the physicochemical parameters between these two types of sausages. Stuffings as well as sausages made from fallow deer meat had a significantly (P ≤ .05) higher content of lactic acid bacteria than the beef variants. In addition, depending on the type of meat and additives used, differences were noted in the tested BAs and total BAs. In the case of fallow deer stuffings worse results were observed for food safety-related parameters. Addition of acid whey had a similar effect on the tested parameters as nitrate/nitrite, besides limiting the formation of BAs.

Impact of Sodium Nitrite Reduction on Lipid Oxidation and Antioxidant Properties of Cooked Meat Products.

Oxidation processes are responsible for reduction of the sensory and nutritional quality of meat and meat products, thus affecting consumer acceptance. The use of sodium nitrite in meat processing is an important factor limiting these changes. Therefore, eliminating this substance from the recipe of meat products to increase their nutritional value is not an easy challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sodium nitrite reduction on the lipid oxidation (peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), and color parameters (CIE L*a*b*, total heme pigment and heme iron, nitrosylmyoglobin) in cooked meat products during 15 days of vacuum storage. The antioxidant properties of products and isolated peptides (2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power) were also evaluated. Experimental material included four different sample groups of cooked meat products produced with various percentages of sodium nitrite (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg kg-1). It was shown that the sodium nitrite dose had no statistically significant effect on lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values, as well as nitrosylmyoglobin content. Along with decreasing the share of sodium nitrite in the samples, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value increased from 0.43 mg kg-1 for samples with 150 mg kg-1 at day 0 to 3.14 mg kg-1 for samples without nitrite at day 15. The total ABTS scavenging capacity of the cooked meat samples was in the range 2.48 to 4.31 eqv. mM Trolox per g of product throughout the entire storage period. During storage, the ferric-reducing antioxidant power of samples with nitrite increased from 0.25 to 0.38 eqv. mg/mL ascorbic acid per g of product. In conclusion, reduction of nitrite to the level of 50 mg kg-1 seemed to be comparable with the traditional use of nitrite in meat products in terms of the physicochemical properties and properties related to lipid oxidation, as well as total antioxidant capacity and peptide antioxidant capacity.

Effect of different tea extracts on the physicochemical and sensory parameters of stirred probiotic yoghurts.

BACKGROUND: In yoghurt production, additives and flavours are added after the fermentation process, but in the case of yoghurts with the addition of tea extracts all studies concern set-type yoghurts. For this reason, the aim of this study was to analyse the effect of green, black, red (Pu-erh) and white tea extracts addition on sensory characteristics, pH, viscosity and colour of stirred probiotic yoghurts stored for two weeks. METHODS: Skim milk powder (10% w/w), sucrose (4% w/w) and typical yoghurt cultures with the addition of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 were applied for yoghurt manufacture. Then yoghurts were stirred and 4, 8, 12% black, red, green and white tea extracts were added. The samples were analysed after 1, 3, 7 and 14 days of storage at 5ºC. Instrumental colour (L*a*b*) determination, rheological measurements and sensory evaluation were carried out. RESULTS: The pH analysis of the final yoghurt samples showed that the type and quantity of tea extract addition had little effect. Apparent viscosity was affected by 12% addition of tea extracts but not by storage time. The instrumental analysis of the colour confirmed the visual assessment. Sensory evaluation revealed that yoghurts with the addition of green tea extract were the most accepted. The addition of extracts made of red, black and white tea resulted in lower values of all the sensory characteristics tested. CONCLUSIONS: The stirring method can be applied to the production of probiotic yoghurts with various tea extracts. The acidity of the yoghurts was practically not affected by the addition of the infusion derived from the different types of tea. 4% addition of tea extract did not affect the viscosity of the yoghurts. The best sensory scores among tea yoghurts were obtained by yoghurt with 4% green tea addition.

Low Temperature Characteristics of Hydrogen Storage Alloy LaMm-Ni4.1Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.45 for Ni-MH Batteries.

Nickel hydride batteries (Ni-MH) are known of their good performance and high reliability at temperatures below 0 °C, which is significantly dependent on electrolyte composition. Here we present the low temperature characteristics of pristine AB5-type alloy, LaMm-Ni4.1Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.45, determined in various alkali metal hydroxide solutions. We found that the combination of KOH with NaOH showed a significant effect of enhancement of low temperature performance of the electrode material and diffusion of hydrogen in the alloy. This 6M binary mixed NaOH/KOH electrolyte, comprising 4M KOH component and 2M NaOH component, made it possible to maintain 81.7% and 61.0% of maximum capacity at -20 °C and -30 °C, respectively, enhancing the hydrogen storage properties of the alloy after reheating to room temperature.

Corrosion of Hydrogen Storage Metal Alloy LaMm-Ni4.1Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.45 in the Aqueous Solutions of Alkali Metal Hydroxides.

Corrosion of pristine AB5-type metal alloy LaMm-Ni4.1Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.45 in the aqueous solutions of alkali metal hydroxides of diverse composition and concentration was tested. Correlation was observed between the alloy corrosion intensity in various hydroxide solutions, and its electrochemical capacity in these electrolytes. Mm(OH)3, CoO(OH), and nickel metal aggregates were detected among the products of selective oxidation of the alloy. High intensity corrosion of the alloy was observed in RbOH and CsOH solutions leading to formation of ternary oxides at the surface of the alloy. Presence of rubidium and cesium ions in the electrolyte were found to create an additional driving force for lanthanides (La and Ce) to leave the lattice of the alloy, thus, enhancing its corrosion. Corrosion, together with mechanical degradation, were found to be the main reasons of deactivation of LaMm-Ni4.1Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.45 alloy upon elongated electrochemical treatment.

Meat and meat products ­ analysis of the most common threats in the years 2011-2015 in Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)

Background: The key tool used in the European Union in order to eliminate the risks associated with the consumption of potentially hazardous food is RASFF - Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed Safety. The RASFF was established to increase accountability and strengthening cooperation between states of the European Union in the field of food safety control. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the trends and temporal and spatial distribution of notifications on food safety hazards between January 2011 and December 2015 with a special emphasis on meat and meat products on the basis of notification from RASFF. Material and methods: The study analyzed notifications on the annual reports of the RASFF published by the European Commission and requests added to the portal RASFF in the period 01.01.2011 - 31.12.2015 on the category of "meat and meat products (other than poultry) and "poultry meat and poultry meat products". Analysis included detailed information on each notification, such as the classification and date, hazard category, notifying country, country origin. Results: The most common classifications of notification were 'alert' and 'border rejection'. Generally, basis of this notifications were 'company's own check' and 'official control on the market'. Pathogenic microorganisms were the most often hazard of category in which the higher number of notifications concerned with Salmonella spp. Conclusion: Alert notification which is the most dangerous for consumers were the most common type of classification for notifications on 'meat and meat product' category. The most of notifications in category 'poultry meat and poultry meat products' were the result of border control. Pathogenic microorganisms were the reason for the huge number of notifications in studied product categories. Many of notifications were associated with products which origin countries were outside RASFF member states.

Effect of acid whey and freeze-dried cranberries on lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition of nitrite-/nitrate-free fermented sausage made from deer meat.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of acid whey and freeze-dried cranberries on the physicochemical characteristics, lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition of nitrite-free fermented sausage made from deer meat and pork fat. Antioxidant interactions between acid whey and cranberry compounds were also explored. METHODS: Four formulations of fermented venison sausage were prepared: F1 (control), F2 (with 5% liquid acid whey), F3 (with 0.06% of freeze-dried cranberries), and F4 (with 5% liquid acid whey and 0.06% of freeze-dried cranberries). Each sample was analyzed for pH, water activity (aw), heme iron content, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value and conjugated dienes at the end of the manufacturing process and at 30 and 90 days of refrigerated storage. Fatty acid composition was measured once at the end of the manufacturing process. RESULTS: At the end of ripening, all samples presented statistically different values for a pH range of 4.47 to pH 4.59. The sum of the unsaturated fatty acids was higher, while the conjugated diene and the TBARS values were lower in sausages with freeze-dried cranberries as compared to the control sausage. The highest content of heme iron (21.52 mg/kg) at day 90 was found in the sausage formulation with the addition of freeze-dried cranberries, which suggests that the addition of cranberries stabilized the porphyrin ring of the heme molecule during storage and thereby reduced the release of iron. The use of liquid acid whey in combination with cranberries appears to not be justified in view of the oxidative stability of the obtained products. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the application of freeze-dried cranberries can lower the intensity of oxidative changes during the storage of nitrite-free fermented sausage made from deer meat.

The influence of acid whey and mustard seed on lipid oxidation of organic fermented sausage without nitrite.

BACKGROUND: The influence of the addition of mustard seed and acid whey on the stability of nitrite-free organic fermented sausage during 90 days of vacuum storage was investigated by measuring primary and secondary products of lipid oxidation, changes in fatty acid composition and antioxidant capacity, as well as water activity. RESULTS: The native and autoclaved mustard seed with acid whey can be used in the composition of organic fermented sausage without nitrite with beneficial effect on pH, water activity, antioxidant capacity and oxidation stability during vacuum storage. The use of the combination of acid whey and mustard seed resulted in an effective decrease in pH of organic fermented sausage during fermentation. The inclusion of mustard seed to the sausage with acid whey significantly increased the capacity of stuffing to capture the radical cation ABTS. During the whole storage period the TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) values of salted sausage samples with the addition of acid whey with combination of mustard seed were similar to the control sample with curing agent. CONCLUSION: In general, results suggest that mustard seed with combination of acid whey can be successfully applied to protect organic fermented sausages without nitrite from lipid oxidation.