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Limosilactobacillus reuteri INIA P572 is a strain able to produce the antimicrobial compound reuterin in dairy products, exhibiting a protective effect against some food-borne pathogens. In this study, we investigated some probiotic properties of this strain such as resistance to gastrointestinal passage or to colonic conditions, reuterin production in a colonic environment, and immunomodulatory activity, using different in vitro and in vivo models. The results showed a high resistance of this strain to gastrointestinal conditions, as well as capacity to grow and produce reuterin in a human colonic model. Although the in vitro assays using the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line did not demonstrate direct immunomodulatory properties, the in vivo assays using a Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitic mice model showed clear immunomodulatory and protective effects of this strain.

18 Pág. Departamento de Tecnología de Alimentos​​, Limosilactobacillus reuteri INIA P572 is a strain able to produce the antimicrobial compound reuterin in dairy products, exhibiting a protective effect against some food-borne pathogens. In this study, we investigated some probiotic properties of this strain such as resistance to gastrointestinal passage or to colonic conditions, reuterin production in a colonic environment, and immunomodulatory activity, using different in vitro and in vivo models. The results showed a high resistance of this strain to gastrointestinal conditions, as well as capacity to grow and produce reuterin in a human colonic model. Although the in vitro assays using the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line did not demonstrate direct immunomodulatory properties, the in vivo assays using a Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitic mice model showed clear immunomodulatory and protective effects of this strain., This work was supported by project no. RTA2017-00002-00-00 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, by the Junta de Andalucía (CTS 164) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI19/01058) with funds from the European Union

The majority of cases of listeriosis are associated with the consumption of contaminated food. Some strains of Listeria monocytogenes can persist over months or years in meat processing plants increasing the risk of product contamination. The presence of L. monocytogenes was examined in 10 dry-cured ham processing facilities. A total of 1801 samples were collected from environment and equipment, during processing (1095) and after cleaning and disinfection (706). These samples were taken from non-food contact (736) and food contact (1065) surfaces. In addition, 204 samples from ham surfaces were also analysed. Prevalence varied from 6% to 34% among facilities, and was higher during processing than after cleaning and disinfection (24.8% vs 11.0%) and from non-food than from food contact surfaces (22.6% vs 17.4%). L. monocytogenes serotype 1/2a was predominant (53.9%), followed by 1/2c (26.0%) and 1/2b (15.3%) and less frequently 4b (4.8%). A total of 142 different pulsotypes were registered. Potential persistent L.monocytogenes strains were isolated in 9 out the 10 facilities, with no more than 6 pulsotypes in a given plant. Two pulsotypes were common in different installations, detected before and after cleaning and disinfection, highlighting the importance of monitoring the presence of this pathogen in dry-cured ham processing environments.

The influence of lyophilization on the aromatic profile of two different truffles from Spain (Tuber melanosporum and Tuber aestivum) and a cultivated truffle (Tuber indicum) was evaluated by means of the headspace analysis. The volatile compounds were separated by gas chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry. The truffle aroma contained the characteristic compounds, such as 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol and dimethyl sulfide. Lyophilization and the subsequent rehydration of the truffles did not affect significantly the aroma profile of T. melanosporum; however, the volatile contents of T. indicum were slightly modified and those of T. aestivum changed after the treatment, in terms of reducing the 2-butanol and 2-butanone percentages and increasing the 2-methylpropanal, 2-methylbutanal and 3-methylbutanal concentrations. From this study, we can conclude that truffle aromatic profile of the species T. melanosporum and T. indicum is mainly maintained after lyophilization whereas T. aestivum profile is substantially modified. Practical Applications Truffles are products with limited shelf life and their sensory properties are rapidly lost so that these fungi become a less valuable product in a few days. Losses of volatile compounds, oxidation and enzymatic reactions are a considerable problem during their storage. Several techniques have been used to preserve their sensory properties; however, the aroma profile is commonly modified as a result of high temperature processes or enzymatic reactions. This article describes the use of freeze-drying as a form of processing technique for truffles (Tuber melanosporum, Tuber aestivum and Tuber indicum) to be stored. The use of lyophilization avoids the loss and degradation of volatile compounds because the process is performed at low temperatures. The results showed that the truffle aromatic profile of the species T. melanosporum and T. indicum was mainly maintained after lyophilization, whereas T. aestivum profile was substantially modified.

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents occurring in eight types of edible mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus, Boletus edulis, Calocybe gambosa, Cantharellus cibarius, Craterellus cornucopioides, Hygrophorus marzuolus, Lactarius deliciosus and Pleurotus ostreatus) have been respectively evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay and by the colorimetric reaction with NaNO2 and AlCl3 in a basic media. Generally, the assayed mushrooms contained between 1 and 6 mg of phenolics per gram of dried mushroom, depending on the species, while the flavonoid concentrations ranged between 0.9 and 3.0 mg per gram of dried matter. The profile and concentration of individual phenolics was determined by means of high performance liquid chromatography. Homogentisic acid was the free phenolic acid significantly present in all mushrooms although the content varied considerably among the analysed species. Flavonoids, such as myricetin and catechin were also detected in the mushrooms studied. The antioxidant properties of the methanolic extracts from mushrooms were evaluated by monitoring the linoleic acid autoxidation, and all the mushrooms species showed inhibition, with C. cibarius being the most effective against lipid oxidation (74% of inhibition) and A. bisporus the species with lowest antioxidant activity (10% of inhibition). © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Soy has been traditionally incorporated in diet as processed foods, such as soymilk, tofu, miso, tempeh, etc.;and the consumption is commonly associated with a reduction of the development of chronic diseases due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic properties, among others. Many of the health benefits of soy have been attributed to isoflavones. They comprise a group of naturally occurring flavonoids consisting of heterocyclic phenols. Soy contains three types of isoflavones in four chemical forms the aglycones daidzein, genistein, and glycitein; the β-glucosides daidzin, genistin, and glycitin; their 6″-O-malonyl-β-glucosides (6OMalGlc); and their 6″-O-acetyl-β-glucosides (6OAcGlc) conjugates. Industrial processing methods of soy-based food products commonly lead to the loss of isoflavones through removal of undesirable fractions. On the other hand, isoflavones can be transformed into different conjugates, which may have significant effects on the food texture and on the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of the isoflavones. This article reviews the effect of a number of soybean processing treatments on the isoflavone content and profile. The preparation and manufacturing of different soy-based food and food ingredients, fermented and non-fermented, has been analyzed in terms of content and distribution of the three major isoflavone derivatives, daidzein, genistein, and glycitein, and their respective conjugates. © 2009 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC.

According to epidemiological evidence, diets rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the incidence of several chronic diseases that share an inflammatory component. These protective effects are attributed, in part, to the occurrence of different antioxidant components, mainly phenolic compounds. Our aim was to characterise phenolic composition, and to determine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of phenolic rich extracts obtained from two kinds of common beans, white kidney beans (WKB) and round purple beans (RPB). Phenolic acids were the predominant component in WKB extracts, whereas RPB extracts presented higher concentrations of phenolic compounds, mainly catechin derivatives, proanthocyanidins and catechin glucoside. In addition, RPB extracts showed higher antioxidant capacity and higher anti-inflammatory activity by the reduction of NO production and cytokine mRNA expression of LPS stimulated macrophages. These results suggest that common bean extracts may be used as a source of anti-inflammatory agents as well as a dietary complement for health promotion. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A structural characterization of two polysaccharides isolated from the fruiting bodies of the wild edible mushroom Cantharellus cibarius was performed after extraction and purification. Two polysaccharides were separated by successive aqueous extractions with boiling water and with NaOH aqueous solution (1 M, 100°C), respectively. The size exclusion chromatograms from the separated fractions showed a single peak in each fraction. The polysaccharide from the boiling water fraction (PsCcib-I) was a glucan-type carbohydrate with a molecular weight of 150 kDa. The methylation analysis and NMR experiments showed that PsCcib-I was composed of a main chain consisting of α-(1→6)-Glcp units with β-(1→4)-linked branches every third glucose residue. Differently, the polysaccharide separated from the hot aqueous NaOH fraction (PsCcib-II) had a molecular weight of 120 kDa and appeared to be a glucan-type carbohydrate composed of β-(1→3)-linked glucose units with branches at O-6 every third sugar residue. The complexation with Congo red showed that PsCcib-II displayed a triple helical conformation. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Manchon N., Mateo-Vivaracho L., D’Arrigo M., Garcia-Lafuente A., Guillamon E., Villares A., Rostagno M.A . (2013): Distribution patterns of polyphenols and alkaloids in instant coffee, soft and energy drinks, and tea. Czech J. Food Sci., 31: 483–500. A previously developed method of HPLC-DAD-Fl has been used for the determination of phytochemical profiles in different types of drinks: instant coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, and different types of tea (green, white, black, and red tea). Using data on the concentrations of 20 main phytochemicals (phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavones, and alkaloids) it was possible to identify most of the sample types. Chlorogenic and caffeic acids and caf feine are the main target compounds in instant coffee; in soft and energy drinks, only caffeine was found. Tea has a more complex phytochemical composition. Unfermented tea is mainly composed of flavan-3-ols and alkaloids, with a high caffeine concentration. Black tea is composed of alkaloids and low levels of flavan-3-ols, which are affected by oxidative reactions during the fermentation. Flavonols are present in lower concentrations in all kinds of teas. The identified phytochemical distribution patterns were used to correctly differentiate instant coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, unfermented tea and fermented tea (within fermented tea, black tea from red tea can also be differentiated).

Novel water-soluble polysaccharides have been isolated from the fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. Three polysaccharide fractions were obtained by ethanol precipitation from cold water, hot water and hot aqueous NaOH extracts. The fractions were purified by size exclusion chromatography showing a unique carbohydrate occurring in each fraction PC from the cold fraction, PH from the hot fraction and PB from the hot aqueous NaOH fraction. The analysis of the methylated alditol acetates and the NMR studies revealed that all the polysaccharides displayed a linear backbone. PC was formed by α-(1→3),(1→6)-linked galactopyranosyl residues whereas PH and PB consisted of glucose-linked units. PH was exclusively composed of glucopyranosyl units bound by α-(1→4) linkages whereas PB was a β-linked glucan showing (1→3) and (1→6) glycosidic bonds. The analysis of molecular arrangement by complexation with Congo red showed that only the β-linked polysaccharide (PB) displayed a triple helix conformation. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nowadays there is a great interest in the use of edible mushrooms as functional food since they are rich in bioactive compounds. Although their immunomostimulant activity has been largely demonstrated, their potential anti-inflammatory activity has been scarcely explored. We have investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extracts from different edible mushrooms species Agaricus bisporus, Boletus edulis, Cantherellus cibarius, Cratarellus cornucopioides, Lactarius deliciosus and Pleurotus ostreatus, in activated macrophages. The species that exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activities were A. bisporus, C. cibarius and L. deliciosus, inducing inhibition of NO production and iNOS, IL-1β and IL6 mRNAs expression in response to LPS stimulation. C. cornucopioides only induced inhibition of NO production and iNOS expression, and the other species did not present anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, some edible mushrooms species have a potential anti-inflammatory capacity in vitro, suggesting that they could be regarded as a potential source of natural anti-inflammatory agents. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fungal aroma comprises at least seven chemical groups of volatile organic compounds, which are plain hydrocarbons, heterocycles, alcohols, phenols, acids and derivatives, carbonyls (aldehydes and ketones), and sulfur containing molecules. This aromatic blend provides the excellent sensory properties to produce and several strategies have been employed to create aromatic products having the aroma and taste of mushrooms and truffles. Nowadays, there are several procedures to obtain aroma concentrates. Among them, the simulation of mushroom aroma by the combination of the main substances responsible for the flavour could be an efficient strategy. Nevertheless, natural procedures are gaining more importance since the concentrate is not a synthetic product and the processes commonly involve the use of mushroom waste. In this field, the maceration with precursor molecules, such as linoleic acid, or different types of enzymes is commonly used in food industry. This article provides a wide view of the most common strategies to produce fungal aroma taking into account the main advantages and disadvantages they present. The article presents some promising patents on strategies for the preparation and concentration of mushroom aromatic products. © 2012 Bentham Science Publishers.

The antioxidant activity of several phenolic compounds has been evaluated in terms of the inhibition of the lipid oxidation. The extent of linoleic acid oxidation was monitored by the absorption of the conjugated diene hydroperoxydes formed as a result of oxidation. The antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds was evaluated in aqueous media consisting of negatively-charged micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or positively-charged micelles of hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide (HDTBr). 2,2′-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)-dihydrochloride (ABAP) was employed as the oxidation initiator. The assayed phenolic compounds showed good antioxidant efficiency, closely related to the presence of hydroxyl groups and the electron delocalization within the structure, which may stabilize the formed phenoxyl radicals. The kinetic analysis revealed that the oxidizability of linoleic acid was 10-fold higher in SDS than in HDTBr media, which could indicate that oxidation is favoured in negatively charged SDS micelles regarding to positive HDTBr medium. Furthermore, a greater antioxidant efficiency of phenolic compounds was found in HDTBr than in SDS micelles. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Water-soluble polysaccharides have been extracted from the fruiting bodies of Lentinus edodes mushrooms. Three carbohydrate fractions (cold water, hot water and hot aqueous NaOH) from the mushrooms were separated by ethanol precipitation. Size exclusion chromatography revealed the presence of a unique polysaccharide in each fraction. Cold water fraction polysaccharide (PLeC) was composed of glucose and galactose bound by (1→3) and (1→4) linkages with a high degree of branching at O-3 and O-4 of galactose residues. Hot water fraction polysaccharide (PLeH) showed (1→4),(1→6)-linked glucopyranosyl residues with branches at O-4 and O-6. Differently, hot aqueous NaOH fraction (PLeB) consisted of a (1→3),(1→6)-linked glucan branched at O-3 and O-6. NMR studies revealed that the polysaccharides PLeC and PLeH displayed both α and β configurations whereas PLeB presented β anomeric configuration. The analysis of molecular arrangement by complexation with Congo red showed that the three polysaccharides (PLeC, PLeH and PLeB) displayed a triple helix conformation. © 2012 Bentham Science Publishers.

A study was conducted to quantify the mycochemical composition of the truffles Tuber melanosporum, Tuber aestivum and Tuber indicum in terms of ergosterol and phenolic contents. The ergosterol concentration ranged from 1.28 to 1.80. mg/g of dried matter. An ergosteryl ester was found in all truffles, and the concentration was considerably higher in T. aestivum (0.36. mg of ergosterol equivalents/g of dried matter) in comparison to T. melanosporum (0.10. mg/g) and T. indicum (0.09. mg/g). The total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, and the truffles contained between 1 and 2. mg of phenolics per g of dried matter. The individual phenolic compounds were separated and identified by high performance liquid chromatography. Diverse phenolic acids, namely gallic, homogentisic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, o- and p-coumaric acids and other phenolic derivatives, such as 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, were found. The profile and content depended on the truffle species; thus, the hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, o- and p-coumaric acids, were only detected in T. aestivum. All the truffles showed inhibition of lipid oxidation, being T. aestivum the most effective (24% inhibition) followed by T. indicum (23% inhibition) whereas T. melanosporum was the truffle with the lowest antioxidant activity (18% inhibition). © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

The soybean seeds (Glycine max) originate from north-eastern Asian regions, especially China and Korea and, since its introduction to American colonies in 1765 (Hymowitz and Harlan 1983), its consumption has been worldwide spread. Soybeans are an economically important crop, which has been traditionally used for animal feed as well as for human food. In this field, soy has been a valuable resource for humankind by providing excellent proteins and other nutrients and, in many countries, soybeans and soy-based foods are considered as a staple food thanks to its low cost and high availability (Khetarpaul et al. 2004). Presently, in the market, there are several soy-based products and ingredients such as soy sauce, tofu, soy protein, soy-based beverages and fermented foods, like miso, tempeh, natto, etc. Besides the excellent nutritional properties such as the high protein content and the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as the absence of cholesterol and lactose; soy has demonstrated to provide a preventive effect in the occurrence and development of several common diseases. In the developed countries, the incidence and prevalence of illnesses like diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, or cardiovascular diseases, among others, are becoming highly important and some of them constitute the leading causes of mortality. Generally, oxidative damage, inflammatory responses or lipid accumulation as well as other more complex biochemical processes are involved in the disease development mechanisms. Scientific studies have revealed that most of these illnesses are strongly related to genetic and/or environmental factors. In this field, the diet has shown to play an important role in preventing the appearance or even reducing the associated symptoms. The lower incidence of these diseases in eastern societies, where the soy consumption is considerably high, remarks the importance of diet and highlights the beneficial properties of soy. Many of the soy benefices have been attributed to the occurrence of several kinds of phytochemicals, such as isoflavones, soyasaponins, phytates, or protease inhibitors. These bioactive compounds seem to provide a preventive effect by means of reducing or even inhibiting the mechanisms of the disease development. Hence, some of their most important properties, for instance, the antioxidant, the antiinflammatory or the estrogenic activities, may be involved in the disease prevention.

Mushrooms have attracted much attention due to their excellent nutritional and sensory properties. However, they are highly perishable and rapidly lose their organoleptic characteristics. Many methods have been employed for mushroom storage, such as packaging, blanching, canning, or freeze drying. Among them, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has been widely employed for preserving fresh mushrooms. MAP provides an affordable packaging system that partly avoids enzymatic browning, fermentation and other biochemical processes by maintaining a controlled gas atmosphere. Several factors, including optimum CO2 and O2 partial pressures, permeability, package material, thickness, or product weight, must be considered in order to design a suitable modified atmosphere package for mushrooms. Thus, different strategies are available to preserve mushroom quality after harvest. The article presents some promising patents on use of modified atmosphere packaging to preserve mushroom quality during storage. © 2011 Bentham Science Publishers.

Nowadays, there are new technologies in high-performance liquid chromatography columns available enabling faster and more efficient separations. In this work, we compared three different types of columns for the analysis of main soy isoflavones. The evaluated columns were a conventional reverse phase particle column, a fused-core particle column, and a monolithic column. The comparison was in terms of chromatographic parameters such as resolution, asymmetry, number of theoretical plates, variability of retention time, and peak width. The lower column pressure was provided by the monolithic column, although lower chromatographic performance was achieved. Conventional and fused-core particle columns presented similar pressure. Results also indicate that direct transfer between particle and monolithic columns is not possible requiring adjustment of conditions and a different method optimization strategy. The best chromatographic performance and separation speed were observed for the fused-core particle column. Also, the effect of sample solvent on the separation and peak shape was evaluated and indicated that monolithic column is the most affected especially when using higher concentrations of acetonitrile or ethanol. Sample solvent that showed the lowest effect on the chromatographic performance of the columns was methanol. Overall evaluation of methanol and acetonitrile as mobile phase for the separation of isoflavones indicated higher chromatographic performance of acetonitrile, although methanol may be an attractive alternative. Using acetonitrile as mobile phase resulted in faster, higher resolution, narrower, and more symmetric peaks than methanol with all columns. It also generated the lower column pressure and flatter pressure profile due to mobile phase changes, and therefore, it presents a higher potential to be explored for the development of faster separation methods. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.

Edible mushrooms are a valuable source of nutrients and bioactive compounds in addition to a growing appeal for humans by their flavors and culinary features. Recently, they have become increasingly attractive as functional foods for their potential beneficial effects on human health. Hence, food industry is especially interested in cultivated and wild edible mushrooms. Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality in the Western world. Several investigations have shown the influence of mushrooms intake on some metabolic markers (total, LDL, HDL cholesterol, fasting triacylglycerol, homocysteine, blood pressure, homeostatic function and oxidative and inflammatory damage), which potentially may reduce the risk of suffering cardiovascular diseases. Relevant nutritional aspects of mushrooms include a high fiber supply, a low fat content with low trans isomers of unsaturated fatty acids and a low concentration of sodium as well as the occurrence of components such as eritadenine, phenolic compounds, sterols (such as ergosterol), chitosan, triterpenes, etc.;which are considered as important responsible agents for some hitherto healthy properties. The aims of this review are to report putative positive effects of mushrooms consumption on cardiovascular diseases risk markers and to identify some putative bioactive compounds involved in these effects. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

International audience; The recent development of fused-core technology in HPLC columns is enabling faster and highly efficient separations. This technology was evaluated for the development of a fast analysis method for the most relevant soy isoflavones. A step-by-step strategy was used to optimize temperature (25-50degreesC), flow rate (1.2-2.7mL/min), mobile phase composition and equilibration time (1-5min). Optimized conditions provided a method for the separation of all isoflavones in less than 5.8min and total analysis time (sample-to-sample) of 11.5min. Evaluation of chromatographic performance revealed excellent reproducibility, resolution, selectivity, peak symmetry and low limits of detection and quantification levels. The use of a fused-core column allows highly efficient, sensitive, accurate and reproducible determination of isoflavones with an outstanding sample throughout and resolution. The developed method was validated with different soy samples with a total isoflavone concentration ranging from 1941.53 to 2460.84mugg-1 with the predominant isoflavones being isoflavone glucosides and malonyl derivatives.

Chronic inflammation is being shown to be increasingly involved in the onset and development of several pathological disturbances such as arteriosclerosis, obesity, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and even cancer. Treatment for chronic inflammatory disorders has not been solved, and there is an urgent need to find new and safe anti-inflammatory compounds. Flavonoids belong to a group of natural substances occurring normally in the diet that exhibit a variety of beneficial effects on health. The anti-inflammatory properties of flavonoids have been studied recently, in order to establish and characterize their potential utility as therapeutic agents in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Several mechanisms of action have been proposed to explain in vivo flavonoid anti-inflammatory actions, such as antioxidant activity, inhibition of eicosanoid generating enzymes or the modulation of the production of proinflammatory molecules. Recent studies have also shown that some flavonoids are modulators of proinflammatory gene expression, thus leading to the attenuation of the inflammatory response. However, much work remains to be done in order to achieve definitive conclusions about their potential usefulness. This review summarizes the known mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids and the implications of these effects on the protection against cancer and cardiovascular disease. © 2009 Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel/Switzerland.

At present, foods containing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are being studied through clinical trials, analytical assays and meta-analysis in order to confirm their potential health benefits. Indeed, there is a continuous search for new ways to develop products rich in n-3 PUFAs. The aim of the current review is to provide a general vision of the concept of functional meat products rich in n-3 PUFAs not only concerning fishy products, but also those from enriched meat products of monogastric and ruminant animals. This document highlights the importance of n-3 PUFAs as an essential nutrient and a functional ingredient in meat products in order to prevent deficiency or even to treat pathological conditions as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, depression and childhood disorders. Ways to improve depth in this review are those made in diets for monogastric and ruminant animals that have been enriched with n-3 PUFAs and in some cases supplemented with vitamin E. This also shows that there are other techniques to improve the meat products by varying the stage of process or formulation. Both strategies have been essentially reduced n-6 n-3 recommended to values below 4. Some studies of this paper emphasize using antioxidants such as vitamin E, as a positive influence on lipid oxidative and sensory stability of meat and meat products to avoid the variation in colour, flavour, taste and texture. The review shows recent strategies to improve the quality of meat and processed meat that would allow considering them as important functional foods. © 2012 Bentham Science Publishers.