Production of functional Ricotta Cheese

In this work, the suitability of Ricotta cheese as a food carrier for functional ingredients was evaluated. The probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei F19, inoculated at a concentration of 109 cfu/serving size, maintained high counts during the cold storage of Ricotta cheese (7 days at 5°C), without altering the nutritional and sensorial properties of Ricotta samples. Similarly, the addition of 3 % inulin did not significantly change the sensory profile of the cheese, whereas the addition of chestnut flour lowered the perceived sensory characteristics. The synbiotic formulation (with 3 % inulin and 109 cfu/serving size of Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei F19) altered the Ri…

Thermal field in MW processing of foods

Squid (Sepia officinalis) stored in active packaging: chemical and microbiological changes

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with and without a moisture adsorbent, on the quality of squid (Sepia officinalis) during chilled storage, was evaluated. Chemical and microbiological tests were carried out to measure the amount of spoilage and the resulting loss of fish freshness during 12 days of storage at 3°C. After 11 days, trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N) increased from 0.4 mg/100 g in fresh samples to 24 mg/100 g in MAP with adsorbent and 35 mg/100 g in the other samples. Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) increased from 18 mg/100 g in fresh samples to 112 mg/100 g in MAP with adsorbent and 158 mg/100 g in control samples. Counts of aerobic psychrotrophic microorga…

Molluscs shelf-life extension

Shelf-life of mozzarella cheese samples packaged without liquid and stored at different temperatures

The effect of different temperatures on the shelf-life of Mozzarella cheese was studied. pH, non-protein nitrogen, moisture, total proteins, methyl esters of combined fatty acids, Total Viable Count, lactic acid bacteria, enterococci, Micrococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, psychrotrophic bacteria, Pseudomonas, yeasts and moulds were evaluated during 9 days of storage at 4 degrees, 7 degrees and 13 degrees C. Samples stored at 4 degrees and 7 degrees C showed insignificant variations in the chemical parameters and acceptable increases of the microbial groups. Samples stored at 13 degrees C exhibited a greater increase in the microbial number and higher non-protein nitrogen.

Microwave drying of aubergine (Solanum Melongena) slices: kinetic and quality changes.

The effects of pre-fermentation cold maceration on the composition of Aglianico wine

The effect of pretreatments on the drying of different seedless grapes

Nutritional evaluation of fresh and dried goji berries cultivated in Italy

The nutritional profile of fresh and dried goji berries cultivated in Italy was investigated. The obtained data confirm goji berries as a source of nutritional and healthy components, such as vitamin E, minerals and fibre. Taking into account the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for minerals and vitamins established by the Commission of the European Communities, Goji berries provide significant amounts of dietary fibre and zeaxanthin and can be declared on the label as a potential source of vitamins E and C. Moreover, dried goji berries can be declared as a source of K, P, Cu, Fe Mn, Zn.

Effects of variety and olive ripeness on nutritional quality and oxidative stability of extra virgin olive oils

The composition and the stability to oxidative reactions of Italian extra virgin olive oils, in relation to olive varieties and ripeness, have been studied. Nutritional quality has been evaluated comparing nutrient contents with the recommended daily intake for the Italian population. Oxidative vulnerability has been studied following three different approaches: i) a predictive approach (calculation of the degree of antioxidant protection or DAP index); ii) a descriptive approach (loss of some natural antioxidants during storage); iii) a confirmatory approach (oven test method). This study demonstrated that the olive variety and ripeness degree are important determinants of the nutritional …

Effect of microwave pasteurization on orange juice color and carotenoid pigments

In this paper changes in carotenoid content and orange juice colour during microwave (MW) heating were studied. Trials were performed on 250 ml stirred orange juice heated at different temperatures (60-70-75-85°C), in a MW pilot plant, able to keep prescribed temperature levels of samples by using infrared thermography temperature readout. The pasteurization conditions of orange juice, generally based on inactivation of the heat sensitive fraction of pectin methyl-esterase (PME), in our trials were achieved after about 1 min at 70°C of MW heating (data not reported). Carotenoid content in fresh juice after MW heating at different levels of temperature decreased of about 13% (70,°C 1 min), 4…

Antioxidant activity and sensory attributes of tomatoes dehydrated by combination of microwave and convective heating

Tomato halves were dried in a combined microwave-hot air system. Drying experiments were carried out by applying the microwave energy (0.5 W/g) at the beginning of the dehydration process (for 2 and 3.5 hours); simultaneously combining microwave (0.25 W/g) with convective hot-air drying (70°C); and by applying only convective hot air at 70°C. The combined microwave-hot air heating reduced significantly the drying time (up to 50 %), if compared with the only convective system. Simultaneous convective and microwave heating allowed besting preserving antioxidant activity of dried tomatoes, by minimizing lycopene and phenols losses, while ensuring satisfied texture characteristics and less perc…

Effect of a novel process an the reological properties of a typical sounth- Italy product: “Castagne del Prete”