Pullulan or chitosan based active coating by incorporating polyphenols from lemon peel in raw poultry meat.

Dip coating with pullulan and chitosan in combination with lemon peel polyphenols (LPP) was attempted for shelf life extension of raw poultry meat. Control samples demonstrated bacterial lag phase and shelf life of 1.3 and 1 day, respectively at 4 °C. Meat samples coated with pullulan or chitosan in combination with 1% LPP led to an increased bacterial lag phase; thereby extending the shelf life of meat by 6 and 14 days, respectively. Significant (p < 0.05) reduction in lipid peroxidation in comparison with control was also observed due to dip treatment. Treated samples maintained values of < 1 mg kg-1 malondialdehyde for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances during the entire storage period. No significant (p > 0.05) change in colour, weight loss and pH of treated samples during storage was noted. Dip coated samples maintained acceptable sensory quality during the entire storage period. This study indicates that use of LPP for shelf life extension of raw meat could be a practical proposition.

Microbial quality assessment of minimally processed pineapple using GCMS and FTIR in tandem with chemometrics.

Microbial quality is the critical parameter determining the safety of refrigerated perishables. Traditional methods used for assessing microbial quality are time consuming and labour intensive. Thus rapid, non-destructive methods that can accurately predict microbial status is warranted. Models using partial least square regression (PLS-R) from chemical finger prints of minimally processed pineapple during storage obtained by Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GCMS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and their data fusion are developed. Models built using FTIR data demonstrated good prediction for unknown samples kept under non-isothermal conditions. FTIR based models could predict 87 and 80% samples within ±1 log CFU/g for TVC and Y&M, respectively. Analysis of PLS-R results suggested the production of alcohols and esters with utilization of sugars due to microbial spoilage.

GC-MS olfactometric characterization of odor active compounds in cooked red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).

Red kidney beans are a staple pulse crop well known for its unique flavor characterized by kidney bean like, smoky, sulfury and earthy aroma notes. However, nature of compounds responsible for the unique beany odor of the cooked pulse has not been established. Steam distillation extracts of red kidney beans were subjected to Gas-chromatography olfactometry (GC-O) techniques namely detection frequency and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). GC-O results suggest that methional with flavor dilution (FD) factor 21 is responsible for imparting the characteristic odor of the cooked red kidney beans. Apart from this p-vinyl guaiacol (FD 13) was identified as most important contributor towards smoky odor note. Sulfury note was mainly contributed by diethyl sulfide (FD 10) while 2-ethyl-3-methyl pyrazine (FD 13) was identified to be responsible for earthy note in cooked red kidney beans. Contribution of these compounds in characteristic aroma of cooked red kidney beans is reported here for the first time.

Development of guar gum based active packaging films using grape pomace.

The objective of this study was to develop biodegradable active film to improve the shelf-life of minimally processed fresh-produce. Guar gum (GG) based films with improved properties were fabricated by employing tween-80 (0.88%) as emulsifier, nanoclay (13.9%) as reinforcement, beeswax (1.21%) for hydrophobicity, glycerol (3.07%) as plasticizer, and grape pomace extract (5%) as active ingredient (%w/w of GG). Active films had a tensile strength of 122 MPa and water vapor transmission rate of 69 gm-2d-1. Films demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella Typhimurium. The 2 kGy irradiated minimally processed pomegranate arils packed in film demonstrated a shelf-life of 12 days as compared to 4 days for unirradiated samples. The observed improvement in shelf-life was due to a radiation-induced release of antimicrobial volatiles from active films as confirmed by headspace analysis using GC-MS. Suitability of active films for food irradiation applications is thus demonstrated.

Debittering of bitter gourd juice using ß-cyclodextrin: Mechanism and effect on antidiabetic potential.

Triterpene glycosides namely momordicoside K and momordicoside L causes bitterness in bitter-gourd thereby reducing its consumer acceptance. Reducing bitterness of the juice by addition of ß-cyclodextrin (0.25-2%) was attempted and its effect on sensory quality, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and antidiabetic potential was evaluated. Juice with 1.5% ß-cyclodextrin demonstrated highest score (7.7 ±â€¯0.3) for sensory acceptability compared to the control (3.8 ±â€¯0.7). A significantly (p < 0.05) higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was observed. A marginal (10%) but significant (p < 0.05) reduction in α-glucosidase inhibition activity without affecting α-amylase activity was noted. Results from NMR, ROESY and FTIR studies indicated formation of an inclusion complex by interaction of hydrophobic triterpenoidal region of momordicosides with ß-cyclodextrin.

Effect of cooking on aroma profile of red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and correlation with sensory quality.

Volatile aroma compounds of three varieties of red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) namely Kashmiri red, Sharmili and Chitra were extracted in raw state using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and cooked state using simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE). During cooking a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the content of several aldehydes, alcohols and terpene hydrocarbons while an increase in content of various sulfurous compounds, terpene alcohols, ketones and pyrazines was noted. Descriptive sensory analysis showed that the maximum intensity of 'kidney bean', 'earthy' and 'smoky' odour was observed in Kashmiri red while Sharmili variety was characterised by 'sulfurous' odour. Correlation of volatile profile data with descriptive sensory analysis and odour activity values clearly established the role of compounds, such as methanethiol, diethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, methional and dimethyl trisulfide, in contributing to 'cooked kidney bean' aroma, while dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl sulfone and ethyl methyl sulfone were responsible for 'sulfurous' aroma.

Aliphatic glucosinolate synthesis and gene expression changes in gamma-irradiated cabbage.

Glucosinolates, found principally in the plant order Brassicales, are modulated by different post-harvest processing operations. Among these, ionizing radiation, a non-thermal process, has gained considerable interest for ensuring food security and safety. In gamma-irradiated cabbage, enhanced sinigrin, a major glucosinolate, has been reported. However, the molecular basis of such a radiation induced effect is not known. Herein, the effect of radiation processing on the expression of glucosinolate biosynthetic genes was investigated. RT-PCR based expression analysis of seven glucosinolate biosynthetic pathway genes (MYB28, CYP79F1, CYP83A1, SUR1, UGT74B1, SOT18 and TGG1) showed that CYP83A1, MYB28, UGT74B1, CYP79F1 and SUR1 were up-regulated in irradiated cabbage. The content of jasmonates, signalling molecules involved in glucosinolate induction was, however, unaffected in irradiated cabbage suggesting their non-involvement in glucosinolate induction during radiation processing. This is the first report on the effect of gamma irradiation on the expression of glucosinolate biosynthetic genes in vegetables.

Shelf life extension of minimally processed ready-to-cook (RTC) cabbage by gamma irradiation.

Gamma irradiation (0.5-2.5 kGy) in combination with low temperature (4-15 °C) storage was attempted to increase shelf life of ready-to-cook shredded cabbage wrapped in cling films. A maximum extension in shelf life of 8 days, while retaining the microbial and sensory quality, was obtained with an irradiation dose of 2 kGy and storage at 10 °C. Gamma irradiation also inhibited browning of shredded cabbage at their cut edges resulting in enhanced visual appeal. An increase in total antioxidant activity was observed with respect to DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability while the nitric oxide radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing property remained unaffected with irradiation. Total phenolic, flavonoid and vitamin C content remained unchanged due to irradiation. No significant migration of additives from cling films into stimulant water was observed up to a radiation dose of 2 kGy thus demonstrating the feasibility of such films for above applications.

Allyl isothiocyanate enhances shelf life of minimally processed shredded cabbage.

The effect of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), in combination with low temperature (10°C) storage on post harvest quality of minimally processed shredded cabbage was investigated. An optimum concentration of 0.05µL/mL AITC was found to be effective in maintaining the microbial and sensory quality of the product for a period of 12days. Inhibition of browning was shown to result from a down-regulation (1.4-fold) of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) gene expression and a consequent decrease in PAL enzyme activity and o-quinone content. In the untreated control samples, PAL activity increased following up-regulation in PAL gene expression that could be linearly correlated with enhanced o-quinone formation and browning. The efficacy of AITC in extending the shelf life of minimally processed shredded cabbage and its role in down-regulation of PAL gene expression resulting in browning inhibition in the product is reported here for the first time.

Mechanical and barrier properties of guar gum based nano-composite films.

Guar gum based nano-composite films were prepared using organically modified (cloisite 20A) and unmodified (nanofil 116) nanoclays. Effect of nanoclay incorporation on mechanical strength, water vapor barrier property, chromatic characteristics and opacity of films was evaluated. Nano-composites were characterized using X-ray scattering, FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. A nanoclay concentration dependent increase in mechanical strength and reduction in water vapor transmission rate was observed. Films containing nanofil 116 (2.5% w/w guar gum) and closite 20A (10% w/w guar gum) demonstrated a 102% and 41% higher tensile strength, respectively, as compared to the control. Lower tensile strength of cloisite 20A films as compared to nanofil 116 films was due to its incompatibility with guar gum. X-ray scattering analysis revealed that interstitial spacing between nanofil 116 and cloisite 20A sheets increased due to intercalation by guar gum polymer. This resulted in improved mechanical and barrier properties of nano-composites compared to control.

Gamma irradiation inhibits wound induced browning in shredded cabbage.

Gamma-radiation induced browning inhibition in minimally processed shredded cabbage stored (10 °C) for up to 8 days was investigated. γ-irradiation (2 kGy) resulted in inhibition of browning as a result of down-regulation (1.4-fold) in phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) gene expression and a consequent decrease in phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity. Activity of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase, total and individual phenolic content as well as o-quinone concentration were, however, unaffected. In the non-irradiated samples, PAL activity increased as a consequence of up-regulation of PAL gene expression after 24 and 48 h by 1.2 and 7.7-fold, respectively, during storage that could be linearly correlated with enhanced quinone formation and browning. Browning inhibition in radiation processed shredded cabbage as a result of inhibition of PAL activity was thus clearly demonstrated. The present work provides an insight for the first time on the mechanism of browning inhibition at both biochemical and genetic level.

Effect of post harvest radiation processing and storage on the volatile oil composition and glucosinolate profile of cabbage.

Effect of radiation processing (0.5-2 kGy) and storage on the volatile oil constituents and glucosinolate profile of cabbage was investigated. Among the volatile oil constituents, an enhancement in trans-hex-2-enal was noted on irradiation that was attributed to the increased liberation of precursor linolenic acid mainly from monogalactosyl diacyl glycerol (MGDG). Irradiation also enhanced sinigrin, the major glucosinolate of cabbage that accounted for the enhanced allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) in the volatile oils of the irradiated vegetable. During storage the content of trans-hex-2-enal increased immediately after irradiation and then returned to the basal value within 24h while the content of sinigrin and AITC increased post irradiation and thereafter remained constant during storage. Our findings on the enhancement in potentially important health promoting compounds such as sinigrin and AITC demonstrates that besides extending shelf life and safety, radiation processing can have an additional advantage in improving the nutritional quality of cabbage.

Radiation dose dependent change in physiochemical, mechanical and barrier properties of guar gum based films.

Mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of biodegradable films prepared from radiation processed guar gum were investigated. Films prepared from GG irradiated up to 500 Gy demonstrated significantly higher tensile strength as compared to non-irradiated control films. This improvement in tensile strength observed was demonstrated to be due to the ordering of polymer structures as confirmed by small angle X-ray scattering analysis. Exposure to doses higher than 500 Gy, however, resulted in a dose dependent decrease in tensile strength. A dose dependent decrease in puncture strength with no significant differences in the percent elongation was also observed at all the doses studied. Water vapor barrier properties of films improved up to 15% due to radiation processing. Radiation processing at lower doses for improving mechanical and barrier properties of guar based packaging films is demonstrated here for the first time.

Hydrophobic derivatives of guar gum hydrolyzate and gum Arabic as matrices for microencapsulation of mint oil.

Guar gum hydrolyzate (GGH) modified with n-octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) and oleic acid having induced hydrophobicity was evaluated for encapsulation of mint oil and compared with gum Arabic (GA) and GA-OSA as wall material. Spray dried microcapsules prepared with these wall materials were evaluated for qualitative changes by principal component analysis and for percent retention of mint oil during 8-week storage. Results revealed that microcapsules with GGH-OSA and GGH-oleate showed slightly lower retention of mint oil as compared to GA. GA-OSA microcapsules showed better retention of mint oil than GA itself, as observed from the t1/2, the time required for the mint oil to come down to 50% of its original content. The t1/2 of mint oil in microcapsules of GA, GGH-oleate, GGH-OSA and GA-OSA was 26.12, 23.50, 24.11 and 29.67 weeks, respectively. The results suggested that GGH-OSA has the potential to replace gum Arabic for encapsulation of mint oil.

Irradiation depolymerized guar gum as partial replacement of gum Arabic for microencapsulation of mint oil.

Spray dried microcapsules of mint oil were prepared using gum Arabic alone and its blends with radiation or enzymatically depolymerized guar gum as wall materials. Microcapsules were evaluated for retention of mint oil during 8-week storage during which qualitative changes in encapsulated mint oil was monitored using principal component analysis. The microcapsules with radiation depolymerized guar gum as wall material component could better retain major mint oil compounds such as menthol and isomenthol. The t(1/2) calculated for mint oil in microcapsules of gum Arabic, gum Arabic:radiation depolymerized guar gum (90:10), gum Arabic:enzyme depolymerized guar gum (90:10) was 25.66, 38.50, and 17.11 weeks, respectively. The results suggested a combination of radiation depolymerized guar gum and gum Arabic to show better retention of encapsulated flavour than gum Arabic alone as wall material.

Application of EPR spectroscopy to identify irradiated Indian medicinal plant products.

UNLABELLED: A study of gamma-irradiated Indian medicinal plant products was carried out using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Improved approaches like high-power measurement, microwave saturation, and thermal behavior of the radicals were explored for detection of irradiation. Aswagandha (Withania somnifera), vairi (Salacia reticulata), amla (Emblica officinalis), haldi (Curcumin longa), and guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) exhibited a weak singlet at g = 2.005 before irradiation. Aswagandha, immediately after radiation treatment, revealed a complex EPR spectrum characterized by EPR spectrum simulation technique as superposition of 3 paramagnetic centers. One group of signal with organic origin was carbohydrate and cellulose radical and the other was isotropic signal of inorganic origin (g⟂ =2.0044 and g|| = 1.9980). However, other products did not exhibit any radiation-specific signal after irradiation. Power saturation and thermal behavior techniques were not suitable for these products. However, amongst all the 3 approaches, high-power measurement of EPR spectra emerged as a suitable technique in identification of the irradiated aswagandha. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Gamma-irradiation confirms hygienic quality and improves shelf life of food and other products. However, there is a lack of international consensus over considering this as a general application and different regulations are being enforced. EPR is one of the most promising techniques to identify irradiated foodstuffs for regulatory requirements but it has many limitations. Improved approaches based on the EPR technique explained in this study may be useful to identify irradiated products and become beneficial to food regulators and food irradiation enterprises to enhance confidence in irradiation technology.

Natural existence of 2-alkylcyclobutanones.

Increased outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, including deaths in recent years, attributed in large part to consumption of food contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7, have become a worldwide concern. Food-borne illnesses constitute an unacceptable health risk demanding stringent food safety controls. Despite food irradiation being a known effective method to eliminate pathogens that are difficult to eradicate by conventional methods, consumers and industry at large have been reluctant to adopt it. This is mainly attributed to some apprehensions regarding the safety of irradiated food. One such apprehension relates to 2-alkylcylcyclobutanones, unique radiolytic products thought to be formed in minute quantities in food during radiation processing. We demonstrate here for the first time the natural occurrence of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone and 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone in commercial nonirradiated as well as fresh cashew nut samples and 2-decylcyclobutanone as well as 2-dodecylcyclobutanone in nonirradiated nutmeg samples. The presence of 2-tetradecenylcyclobutanone was also observed in both commercial and irradiated cashew nuts. The present study will provide greater impetus for wider adoption of radiation technology for elimination of food-borne pathogenic bacteria without apprehensions about the technology that can help ensure food safety.

Identification of irradiated cashew nut by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Cashew nut samples were irradiated at gamma-radiation doses of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 kGy, the permissible dose range for insect disinfestation of food commodities. A weak and short-lived triplet (g = 2.004 and hfcc = 30 G) along with an anisotropic signal (g perpendicular = 2.0069 and g parallel = 2.000) were produced immediately after irradiation. These signals were assigned to that of cellulose and CO 2 (-) radicals. However, the irradiated samples showed a dose-dependent increase of the central line (g = 2.0045 +/- 0.0002). The nature of the free radicals formed during conventional processing such as thermal treatment was investigated and showed an increase in intensity of the central line (g = 2.0045) similar to that of irradiation. Characteristics of the free radicals were studied by their relaxation and thermal behaviors. The present work explores the possibility to identify irradiated cashew nuts from nonirradiated ones by the thermal behaviors of the radicals beyond the period, when the characteristic electron paramagnetic resonance spectral lines of the cellulose free radicals have essentially disappeared. In addition, this study for the first time reports that relaxation behavior of the radicals could be a useful tool to distinguish between roasted and irradiated cashew nuts.

Estimation of aroma glycosides of nutmeg and their changes during radiation processing.

Glycosidically bound volatile compounds of nutmeg were identified as glyco-conjugates of p-cymene-7-ol, eugenol, methoxyeugenol and alpha-terpineol. Using phenyl-beta-glucoside as external standard the contents of these glycosidic precursors were estimated based on the measurement of TLC spot density on a densitometer. p-Cymene-7-ol rutinoside was the major aroma glycoside (3.15 mg/100 g), followed by glucosides of methoxyeugenol (0.61 mg/100 g), eugenol (0.50 mg/100 g) and alpha-terpineol (0.51 mg/100 g). A dose-dependent breakdown of these glycosidic precursors was observed during gamma-radiation processing. Among the four glycosides, alpha-terpineol glucoside was the most sensitive to radiation while p-cymene-7-ol rutinoside was the least sensitive. A reduction in the content of total glycosides by almost 50% was noted at a dose of 5kGy. Partitioning of aroma glycoside into n-butanol from aqueous extracts was found to result in rapid isolation of aroma glycosides, avoiding time consuming pre-purification on Amberlite XAD-2 column. A routine method based on extraction into n-butanol and subsequent quantification of post-irradiation changes in aroma glycosides on a TLC plate using a densitometer is proposed.

Radiation-induced enhancement of antioxidant contents of soybean (Glycine max Merrill).

Soybean samples were treated with gamma-radiation doses between 0.5 and 5 kGy for achieving insect disinfestation and microbial decontamination. Nutritional quality of soybeans with respect to antioxidant isoflavone content was tested in radiation-treated and untreated samples. Changes in major isoflavones such as genistein, diadzein, glycetein, and their glycosides were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography. Interestingly, a decrease in content of glycosidic conjugates and an increase in aglycons were noted with increasing radiation dose. Antioxidant potential measured as percent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity showed an increasing trend with dose, indicating that radiation processing as a method of food preservation has a positive nutritional implication.