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Introduction: The level of essential minerals in meat is an important factor in human nutrition and health. Meat from responsibly managed wildlife is an alternative raw material with considerable nutritional benefits. Meat from hunted animals has essential and non-essential elements for the human body. It is important to carefully monitor the levels of heavy metals accumulated in the tissues of hunted animals in polluted areas to ensure food safety and environmental contamination. High levels of heavy metals in food and the environment can pose a danger to human health. Methods: The study aims to investigate the levels of essential mineral elements and heavy metals in the muscle tissue and organs of wild boar harvested through the herd density control plan over the last decade in north-eastern Romania. Results and discussion: The statistical analysis indicates that the age of the animals had a significant impact on Fe, Cu, and Zn levels in Longissimus lumborum. In the kidney a highly significant difference in Fe content by sex, with males showing higher values than females. The sex was shown to significantly influence the Mg levels. However, there are concerns about the accumulation of heavy metals such as Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd), which may hurt the health of game meat consumers in the study area. Cd level it shows significant differences according to both age and sex, with higher concentrations in adults and males. Statistical analysis shows a negative correlation between Fe and Zn concentrations in muscle samples, while a positive correlation was found between Fe and Mn in kidney samples. There was also a positive association between Zn and Cu in muscle samples, but a negative association in kidney samples. Principal component analysis shows significant variation in essential element and heavy metals data between muscle and kidney samples. The loading plot shows a direct correlation between Pb and Cu and between Pb and Cd. However, an opposite correlation also is observed between Cu and Mg, Cd and Mg, and Pb and Mg. HQ (Hazard Quotient) for children compared to adults indicates a potentially higher risk associated with meat consumption among children because children are more vulnerable than adults. We report for the first time, to the best authors' knowledge, various levels of essential minerals and exceeded maximum admitted level of heavy metals in the muscle tissues and kidneys of Sus scrofa ferus from Romania intended for human consumption, moreover, our findings highlight the need for strict monitoring and implementation of appropriate corrective measures, given the significant percentages of muscle and kidney samples exceeding the allowable limits for two of the most common toxic metals in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to investigate Wet-Aging with Vitamin C on chemical properties of Biceps femoris muscles collected from sustainable management of Cervus elaphus L. population from Northern Eastern Carpathians, Romania. 2% Alkaline Vitamin C Powder per 0.520 kg muscle sample, 4% Alkaline Vitamin C Powder per 0.504 sample kg, and 6% Alkaline Vitamin C Powder per 0.496 kg sample were used. Samples were protected from light and kept at 2°C for 10 days in order not to accelerate oxidative stress of the muscle samples. The influence of Vitamin C used in the wet-aging method was tested by performing quality biomarkers analyses. Data distribution was evaluated using SPSS Statistics 26.0 software. Non-parametric Independent Samples Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to analyze how the percentage of protein, water, collagen, and fat varied with the concentration of vitamin C in muscle samples. The results suggest that there are significant differences for quality biomarkers (***p < 0.001) in the percentage of fat, water, protein, and collagen in particular, between the percentages of 4.00 % and 6.00% Vitamin C introduced. Bonferroni correction was applied to counteract errors for multiple assays and to reduce the chance of an erroneous conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to evaluate the impact of sodium erythorbate (C6H7NaO6) in different amounts (0.05%; 0.1%) on physicochemical quality parameters in a functional product with heterogeneous structure. We aimed to test two main anatomical areas used in the process of obtaining the finished product: Musculus gluteus maximus and Musculus longissimus dorsi from Sus scrofa domestica. Data distribution was evaluated using SPSS Statistics 26.0 software. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) is used to determine if there are significant differences between the amounts of C6H7NaO6 and anatomical area on physicochemical parameters considering their interactions. Pearson correlation was used to analyse the degree of association between the amounts of C6H7NaO6, the anatomical zone, and the physicochemical quality parameters of the finished product. Based on the results obtained, recommendations can be made on the optimal concentration of C6H7NaO6 % to achieve the desired effects on physicochemical quality parameters without compromising consumer safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MOSH/MOAH in a food product may result from unintentional contamination occurring at various levels of the supply chain or migration from packaging. This preliminary research aims to evaluate the differences and variations in contamination levels between raw and processed milk samples to assess the contamination risk associated with milk processing. Using LC-GC-FID, mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH; MOAH) were quantified in eight milk samples. A Ttest was applied to evaluate the differences in the distribution of carbonic sub-fractions and total levels of MOSH and MOAH contamination (n-C10-50) in experimental samples of unprocessed milk and lyophilized milk. All statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS Statistics 26.0 and GraphPad Prism 9 software packages. The results of the comparative analysis revealed that milk processing operations had a significant impact on the variation of the MOH contamination level in the freeze-dried milk. MOSH and MOAH content varied significantly between initial samples (0.8-8.7 mg/kg MOSH; 0-2.8 mg/kg MOAH) and final samples (4.5-13.1 mg/kg MOSH; 3.2-5.35 mg/kg MOAH). These results are relevant for evaluating the impact of the freeze-drying process on these contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the current study was to use a by-product from the deboning process of poultry meat and use it to produce products with high nutritional value. Four product assortments (chicken and turkey soup concentrate and chicken and turkey stock respectively) were produced using bone tissue of the two species as biological material. It was found that there were no significant differences in the technological process to obtain them, the most varied differences being evident in the raw chemical composition, where chicken broth concentrate had the highest percentages of water (69.5%), protein (20.1%) and collagen (18.2%) compared to chicken stock where a higher rate of fat (17.6%) was evident. In the case of turkey backbone products, the highest percentage of fat was found in the concentrated broth, with the stock having the highest percentages of water (65.2%), protein (18.8%), and collagen (17%). The color characteristics are closely related to the Maillard reaction resulting from the cooking operation of the biological material, resulting in products with a positive sensory appearance and microbiological safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the slaughtering and processing of animals for meat, only one-third of them is meat, while the remainder consists of byproducts and waste, which need to be processed and utilized appropriately. Industrial byproducts constitute costly losses for these industries and pose challenges in their eco-friendly disposal. These costs can be offset through innovation to generate value-added products that increase profitability. Efficient utilization of byproducts has a direct impact on the economy and the environment. This study explores the potential to create collagen-rich bone broths and to this end, four batches were developed, two made from bones sourced from adult cattle and two from bones sourced from juvenile cattle. These were analyzed physicochemically and microbiologically to characterize them qualitatively. The findings suggest that both types of bone broths offer significant nutritional value, with variations influenced by the age of the cattle and the vegetable additions, as evidenced by highly significant differences (p < 0.001) among batches obtained through statistical processing. These findings underscore the importance of efficiently exploiting resources and the potential to develop valuable food products from seemingly residual sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work focused on the analysis and evaluation of the emulsion stabilizer, Na2H2P2O7 on the colorimetric profile in a meat product with a heterogeneous structure of Sus scrofa domesticus. Water (%), fat (%), protein (%), collagen (%), and salt (%) contents were also monitored. Depending on the fat and water content, the agent absorption may vary, which may affect the uniformity or intensity of the color of the finished product. The experimental samples consisted of a control batch and 0.09% Na2H2P2O7 per 3000 g of meat fed to the experimental batch. Data distribution was evaluated using SPSS Statistics 26.0 software and Graph Pad Prism 9 software. A T-test was applied to evaluate the influence of the Na2H2P2O7 on quality biomarkers (%). Linear regression was applied to determine if there was a linear relationship between Na2H2P2O7 and the CIE(Lab) system parameters: L*(D65), a*(D65), and b*(D65). The results showed significant effects of Na2H2P2O7 in fat content (%) and water (%), thus influencing the colorimetric profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to produce four different types of sheep meat products with heterogeneous structures in the meat processing workshop of the University of Life Sciences Iasi, which presented as variation factors the type of membrane and the type of product (salami/sausage, imprinted by the membrane used). Two varieties of salami (in collagen and polyamide membrane) and two varieties of sausages (in natural pork and sheep membrane) served as the four samples. The four samples obtained were subjected to sensory analysis, carried out in two stages: the first stage consisted of assessing the products based on the main sensory attributes (appearance, aroma, taste, texture, overall acceptability), and the second stage aimed at describing the products using specific sensory terms included in the CATA (Check-All-That-Apply) test from the perspective of consumer perception. The results obtained revealed sensory attributes characteristic of membrane products with heterogeneous structure, with the CATA test describing the products through positive attributes (colour, aroma, texture), with the differentiation of a firmer, harder texture in the case of natural membrane products, superior juiciness in the case of the S3MC sample, and a slightly brittle texture in the S4MP sample. In terms of the results of the hedonic scale, the sausage samples received a higher score for section appearance (7.91 ± 0.831 for C1MP and 8.00 ± 0.775 for C2MO), compared to the salami samples (7.73 ± 1.104 for S3MC and 7.18 ± 1.168 for S4MP). The overall acceptability was highest for C1MP, which received 8.36 ± 0.674 points, being followed in descending order by C2MO (8.55 ± 0.688), S3MC (8.18 ± 0.751) and S4MP (7.45 ± 0.522). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat colour remains one of the most important quality parameters influencing consumers and attracting the attention of meat scientists around the world. The objective of this scientific article was to follow the colorimetric differences produced by two types of maturation - wet and dry, on meat from intensively reared cattle. Colorimetric tests were performed on samples of the beef round for a 20-day maturation period, the first sample being analyzed less than 24 hours after slaughter and the others on days 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 of maturation. Colorimetric measurements were performed both on the meat surface and in sections for both types of maturation. The colour of beef outside showed non-significant differences (p > 0,05) between the two types of maturation studied for all three colorimetric parameters studied (L*, a*, and b*), with highly significant differences (p < 0.001) only between the type of maturation and advancement of maturation (TM*Days) for the same colour parameters. As regards the colour of the beef round in the section, the differences identified were highly significant (p < 0.001) for the parameters L* and b*, but significant (p < 0.05) for the parameter a*. As for the colour on the outside of the meat, highly significant differences (p < 0.001) were identified between the type of maturation and the advancement of the maturation period in the section of the beef round. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freezing process can cause several morphological changes in meat, with the most significant ones being the formation of ice crystals, damage to muscle fibers, and protein denaturation. During the freezing process, water molecules transform into ice crystals, which can lead to the breakdown of meat fibers. The aim of this study was to analyze the changes that occur in beef after freezing and to observe the differences between refrigerated and thawed samples using two different storage methods: vacuum-packed (wet chilling/ freezing) and unpacked (dry chilling/ freezing). Beef samples were subjected to slow freezing, both dry and wet freezing, with a temperature drop of 0.45 - 0.48ºC/hour. The most notable changes after thawing were observed in physical parameters, pH, and texture indicators. The pH of the samples decreased during thawing, with the dry freezing method showing a more pronounced decrease (from a pH value of 6.43 in the chilled sample to a pH of 5.69 after thawing). Shear force (N) and the energy required for shearing (mJ), which reflect the textural qualities of the meat, demonstrated an increase in tenderness as the values of these parameters significantly decreased after thawing. The average values shifted from 87.08 N/1351.02 mJ (wetchilled sample) and 89.29 N/1389.80 mJ (dry-chilled sample) to the lowest values observed in the wet thawed sample, with averages of 49.14 N/778.14 mJ. The impact of the studied factors on the chemical components was minimal. Humidity decreased from initial values of 75.66% (wet refrigeration) and 75.64% (dry refrigeration) to 75.46% (wet thawing) and 74.94% (dry thawing), with a more noticeable decrease in the case of dry thawing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]