Food and Feed Research

USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS FOR FOOD SAFETY: FORMULATIONS OF EASY-TO-USE FOOD-GRADE SPRAY SANITIZERS

2023-12-27T08:48:54+01:00

Motivated by combat against the spread of foodborne diseases, the formulations of simple and easy-to-use spray disinfectants containing Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Ocimum gratissimum essential oils were studied. Central composite experimental design was used in the development of stable products with optimal essential oil content for antimicrobial efficacy. It also allowed minimizing the alcohol content which was used to ensure miscibility between the essential oils and the aqueous phase. Trans-cinnamaldehyde was the major compound in the C. zeylanicum essential oil. Its low toxicity allowed the formulation of a risk-free product despite the great variability in the chemical composition of the essential oil. Cooked food coated with a spray containing 1% of this essential oil, in combination with Thymus vulgaris tincture, could be preserved for 3 days without refrigeration. Eugenol was the major component of O. gratissimum essential oil, followed by 1,8- cineole and methylchavicol. Sprays containing 1.5% of this essential oil were effective against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Xanthan gum proved to be a good essential oil-trapping agent under accelerated ageing conditions at 45 °C.

FOOD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES ON RED AND WHITE MEATS AMONG NIGERIAN FARMING HOUSEHOLDS

2023-12-27T08:48:55+01:00

The relationship between farming households' knowledge and food safety practices on white and red meats is well documented in the existing scientific literature. Despite that, the population is still neutral on the knowledge and food safety practices related to white and red meats. This study intended to gain insight into the knowledge and food safety practices of the Nigerian farming households' population about white and red meat handling through a questionnaire survey. A survey was administered to a sample of selected 125 farming households' heads (42% female and 58% male) through a multi-stage sampling technique in the Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Topics covered by the questionnaire included their characteristics, knowledge and food safety practices on white and red meats. The farming households had basic knowledge of food safety (3.12) and they sometimes engaged in food safety practices on red and white meats (3.33). This survey revealed that farming households' knowledge of food safety on red and white meats was in significant positive correlation with their frequency of food safety practices on red and white meats (r = 0.297; p < 0.05). However, an advanced extension of prevailing information will help sustain farming households’ lives and promote good health in the studied area.

THE INFLUENCE OF OIL CAKE GRANULATION AND ULTRASONIC PRETREATMENT ON THE PROPERTIES OF BIOPOLYMER FILMS BASED ON CAMELINA SATIVA OILSEED CAKE

2023-12-27T08:48:55+01:00

This study aimed at investigating the synthesis of biopolymer films based on the Camelina sativa cake, an agricultural waste which remains after cold pressing of the oil from seed. During the film synthesis, three different granulations of the camelina cake were used: the whole cake, fractions with a size of 180-250 µm and fractions smaller than 180 µm. Half of the samples were pretreated with an ultrasonic bath in order to examine the influence of the native mucilage from the cake on the properties of the obtained films. The biopolymer film samples were tested for mechanical, barrier, physicochemical and structural properties. The obtained films were dark, firm and flexible. Application of mucilage removal pretreatment contributed to lower tensile strength and higher elongation at break. Significantly lower water vapour permeability was recorded in the samples not pre-treated regarding mucilage removal. A foil with optimal physicochemical characteristics was produced using oilcake with a particle size less than 180 µm, regardless of the pre-treatment application. There were no structural differences or differences in thermal behaviour among the tested samples. Statistical analysis (Z-Score analysis) showed the sample CSoC_˂180,wo was optimal due to good mechanical, barrier and physicochemical properties.

BLUEBERRY JUICE ENCAPSULATED ON MALTODEXTRIN: THE IMPACT ON THE PROPERTIES OF WHITE CHOCOLATE

2023-12-27T08:48:55+01:00

The lower content of phenolic compounds in white chocolate makes this confectionery product unhealthier and, thus, adequate for enrichment compared to other types of chocolates like dark or milk. Less phenolics in white chocolate is due to absence of dark cocoa solids, abundant in these compounds. This study aimed to develop a new product with a higher nutritional value than regular white chocolate by enriching white chocolate with blueberry juice as a natural source of polyphenols. Since phenolic compounds are highly sensitive to heat, light, oxygen, and pH, encapsulated form of blueberry juice was used to increase their stability in the product. Blueberry juice was encapsulated on maltodextrin (B/M) and added to white chocolate at 80 g/kg and 100 g/kg concentrations. Enrichment significantly (p<0.05) increased the content of total dietary fibres and carbohydrates in the white chocolate and decreased proteins and total fats. The addition of the encapsulates significantly (p<0.05) impacted all particle size parameters, especially volume-weighted mean D[3,4] which increased (14.38 μm for B/M80 and 16.00 μm for B/M100) compared to the control (13.06 μm). Rheological properties are of great importance for products like chocolate and the incorporation of the encapsulates significantly (p<0.05) increased the values of rheology parameters like Casson viscosity (1.04 Pa∙s for B/M80 and 1.21 Pa∙s for B/M100). Likewise, enrichment significantly (p<0.05) decreased the hardness of the sample (B/M80) compared to the control. Furthermore, the content of total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity significantly (p<0.05) increased following the added concentration of the encapsulates. The highest content of total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity was observed in the chocolate sample enriched with 100 g/kg of encapsulate. The colour of the enriched samples significantly (p<0.05) differed from the control sample. The impact of the added encapsulate on sensory properties was not significant (p>0.05) except for the sweetness. The enriched chocolate samples were less sweet. The results of this study indicate the potential of maltodextrin as a carrier of sensitive bioactive compounds for the enrichment of products like white chocolate.