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This study assessed the effects of the application of coatings formed by mixtures of chitosan (Chi; 5 g L−1) and Mentha piperita L. essential oil (MPEO; 1.25 and 0.6 mL L−1) on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of mango cv. Tommy Atkins during 30 d of cold storage (12°C, 85% relative humidity). Decreases in titratable acidity and increases in pH values during storage were overall less accentuated in Chi-MPEO coated mango. Chi-MPEO coated mango showed lower and higher contents of sugars and organic acids, respectively, than uncoated mango from day 15 of storage onward. Chi-MPEO coatings decreased weight and firmness losses and reduced polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and pectin methylesterase activity in mango. Chi-MPEO coatings delayed peel and pulp colour development in mango. Chi-MPEO coatings delayed changes in contents of catechin, procyanidin B1 and B2 during storage. Uncoated and Chi-MPEO coated mango received similar scores for all assessed sensory attributes on day 7 of storage. Chi-MPEO coated mango received smaller scores for colour, taste and aftertaste on days 15 and/or 30 of storage. These results indicate that coatings formed by synergistic antifungal mixtures of Chi and MPEO should be effective to improve postharvest quality characteristics in mango cv. Tommy Atkins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the efficacy of Cymbopogon citratus D.C. Stapf. essential oil (CCEO) to provoke a 5-log CFU/ml (5- log) inactivation in a mixed composite of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merril) juice (4°C) was assessed. Moreover, the effects of CCEO on the physicochemical and sensory quality parameters of pineapple juice were evaluated. The MIC of CCEO was 5 µ/ml against the composite mix examined. ForL. monocytogenes and E. coli inoculated in juice containing CCEO (5, 2.5, and 1.25 µ/ml), a ≥5-log reduction was detected after 15 min of exposure. This same result was obtained for Salmonella Enteritidis incubated alone in pineapple juice containing CCEO at 5 and 2.5 µ/ml. Overall, Salmonella Enteritidis was the most tolerant and L. monocytogenes was the most sensitive to CCEO. The physicochemical properties (pH, titratable acidic [citric acid per 100 g], and soluble solids) of pineapple juice containing CCEO (2.5 and 1.25 µ/ml) were maintained. Juice containing CCEO (2.5 and 1.25 µ/ml) exhibited similar scores for odor, appearance, and viscosity compared with juice without CCEO. However, unsatisfactory changes in taste and aftertaste were observed in juices containing CCEO. These results suggest that CCEO could be used as an alternative antimicrobial compound to ensure the safety of pineapple juice, although CCEO at the tested concentrations negatively impacted its taste. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the balance between microbial safety and taste acceptability of pineapple juice containing CCEO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomacea lineata is a fresh water shellfish that is utilized as food, medicinal portions, or licking remedies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and microbiological aspects of P. lineata and spawning. The samples were collected in the Jaguaribe River (Paraíba, Brazil) during the rainy and dry seasons. The biochemical composition, mineral composition, total mesophilic bacteria (TMB), total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio presence were determined. Each 100 g of P. lineata presented 3.1 g of ashes; 9.4 g of proteins; 2.7 g of lipids; 0.6 g of carbohydrates; 1800.0 mg of calcium; 78.0 mg of phosphorus, and 58.4 mg of iron. Each 100 g of spawning presented 10.4 g of ashes; 4.5 g of proteins; 2.8 g of lipids; 1.3 g of carbohydrates; 3633.0 mg of calcium; 39.4 mg of phosphorus; and 4.6 mg of iron. Each 100 g of P. lineata provided 65.7 kcal and spawning 48.3 kcal. In the dry season P. lineata and spawning showed no TMB and TC, FC, S. aureus, Salmonella, or Vibrio. In the rainy season P. lineata and spawning presented increase in TMB and TC, FC, S. aureus, and Salmonella. The presence of Vibrio was not detected. P. lineata presented proteins, low lipid, and carbohydrate content, energy values close to those of lean meats, high contents of calcium and iron, and presented low contamination level with pathogenic bacteria. Since P. lineata substances may be useful in the treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases without presenting toxic or cytotoxic effects already described in the literature, it may be considered as a potential functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of spent lamb meat in the preparation of mortadella. Three formulations of mortadella were developed, using 90, 80 and 70% of lamb meat, each with 10, 20 and 30% of pork fat, respectively. The results showed that the proposed formulations met the microbiological parameters recommended by the Brazilian legislation, being, therefore, a safe meat product for human consumption. The parameters of ashes, starch, sodium chloride, pH and water activity showed no significant difference among the formulations (P>0.05). The moisture contents differed significantly from one sample to the other (P<0.05). An increase in the amount of lamb meat in the mortadella formulation resulted in an increase in moisture; this made the formulation with 90% meat improper, according to the standards recommended by the Brazilian legislation. The mortadella with 90 % meat had the highest percentages of emulsion stability and water holding capacity. The sensory evaluation showed that the formulation with 90% lamb meat presented the lowest scores of texture and overall acceptance. However, the evaluators commented that they would buy any of the products regardless of the formulation. The results show that the use of spent lamb meat is a viable option for the preparation of mortadella, as the resulting products have been widely accepted. In addition, it also gives spent lamb carcasses more commercial value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the capacity of adhesion, the detachment kinetic and the biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus isolated from food services on stainless steel and polypropylene surfaces (2 × 2 cm) when cultivated in a meat-based broth at 28 and 7 °C. It was also to study the efficacy of the sanitizers sodium hypochlorite (250 mg/L) and peracetic acid (30 mg/L) in inactivating the bacterial cells in the preformed biofilm. S. aureus strains adhered in high numbers regardless the assayed surface kind and incubation temperature over 72 h. Cells detachment of surfaces revealed high persistence over the incubation period. Number of cells needed for biofilm formation was noted at all experimental systems already after 3 days. Peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite were not efficient in completely removing the cells of S. aureus adhered on polypropylene and stainless steel surfaces. From these results, the assayed strains revealed high capacity to adhere and form biofilm on polypropylene and stainless steel surfaces under different growth conditions. Moreover, the cells in biofilm matrix were resistant for total removal when submitted to the exposure to sanitizers.

This study assessed the occurrence of an enhancing inhibitory effect of the combined application of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil and lactic acid against Staphylococcus aureus by the determination of Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) index and cell viability in meat broth and meat model. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the oil was 0.6 and 1.25 µL.mL(-1), respectively. Lactic acid showed MIC and MBC of 2.5 and 5µL.mL(-1), respectively. FIC indices of the combined application of the oil and lactic acid were 0.5 showing a synergic interaction. The essential oil and lactic acid showed similar (p>0.05) anti-S. aureus effect in meat broth over 96 h of exposure. Treatment with essential oil or lactic acid presented a smaller anti-staphylococcal effect in meat in comparison to meat broth. No significant difference (p>0.05) was found for the microbial counts in meat treated with each antimicrobial alone or in mixture. These results could arise as an interesting approach for the improvement of food preservation using more natural procedures, considering the current demand of consumer and sensory quality of foods.

This study evaluated the occurrence of an enhancing inhibitory effect of the combined application of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil and acetic acid against Staphylococcus aureus by the determination of Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) index and kill-time assay in nutrient broth, meat broth and in a food model (meat pieces). Acetic acid showed MIC and MFC of 0.6 and 1.25 μL.mL(-1), respectively. For O. vulgare essential oil MIC and MBC were 1.25 and 2.5 μL.mL(-1), respectively. FIC indexes of the mixture of essential oil and acetic acid at MIC x ½ were ≤ 1.0, showing an additive effect. No synergy was found at kill-time study. Anti-staphylococcal effect of the antimicrobials alone or in mixture (MIC x ½) was lower in meat than in nutrient and meat broths. The effective combination of essential oils and organic acids could appear as an attractive alternative for the food industry, as the doses to inhibit the microbial growth in foods can be lowered.