Influence of Partial Replacements of NaCl by KCl on Quality Characteristics and the Heterocyclic Aromatic Amine Contents of Bacon

The influence of partial replacements of NaCl by KCl (0, 10, 20, and 30%) on the heterocyclic aromatic amine (HAAs) contents and quality characteristics of bacon were investigated. The Na+ content, moisture, aw, pH, L* value, and sensory saltiness decreased and K+ content, a* value, and sensory bitterness increased significantly with increased substituting rates of NaCl by KCl (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the control and KCl substitution samples for the b* value, redness, and sensory off-odor (p > 0.05). The creatine content was not affected by the different KCl-substituting rates during the marinating process (p > 0.05), but it diminished in the smoking and frying processes (p < 0.05). The increase in the KCl-substituting rates increased the total heterocyclic aromatic amine (HAA) contents in fried bacon (p < 0.05). Moreover, the nonpolar HAA content in bacon was higher than the polar HAA content (p < 0.05). In summary, the partial replacement of NaCl by KCl increased the total HAA content and led to changes in bacon quality.

Antioxidative properties and antigenotoxic potential of Gentiana lutea extracts against the heterocyclic aromatic amine 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine, PhIP

Lipid oxidation that occurs in different types of food can cause alterations in nutritional qualities, flavour, texture and shelf life of foods. Furthermore, high temperature cooking of protein-rich food can lead to formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines capable of compromising the integrity of DNA molecules. To reduce these harmful effects, research has been focused on investigating plants as a source of potential natural food additives and preservatives. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of 50% ethanolic-aqueous root and leaf extracts of the medicinal plant, Gentiana lutea. Antioxidative effect was investigated using the DPPH assay, while antigenotoxicity against the mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) was determined using Salmonella Typhimurium TA 1535 in the SOS/umuC assay. Leaf extract showed high antioxidative effect with the ability to neutralize up to 87% of free radicals at 400 µg mL-1. Antigenotoxicity testing revealed that both extracts exhibited remarkable genoprotective activity against PhIP-induced DNA damage, with the highest inhibition levels being 70% and 85% for root and leaf extracts, respectively. Results obtained are encouraging and suggest further research of G. lutea extracts as potential food preservatives and additives in improving food quality and human health.

Quality attributes and safety of processed meat products in Ibadan, Nigeria

Consumption of processed meat products has greatly increased due to availability and accessibility of ready to eat meat products. Despite increased patronage of ready to eat meat products, food safety implication of processed ready-to-eat-meat products is of global concern. Against this background, this study was aimed at assessing the quality and safety of processed ready to eat meat products sold in Ibadan. Samples of asun, suya and kundi were randomly collected from four selected markets in Ibadan metropolis and subjected to chemical analyses. The total cholesterol content in suya (1538.00 mg/100mg) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in asun (1277.60 mg/100mg) and kundi (1277.60 mg/100mg). Kundi had significantly (P<0.005) higher crude protein (70.66 %) and ether extract (23.42 %) than asun with 20.17 % and 10.85 % ether extract, respectively. Lipid peroxidation of suya (6.18 mg/MDA/kg) at day 28 was significantly higher (P<0.05) than kundi (4.50 mg/MDA/kg) and asun (4.19 mg/MDA/kg). The total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (TPAH) was 5.31μg/kg in suya, 2.02μg/kg in asun and 1.55μg/kg in kundi. The total heterocyclic aromatic amine (THAA) was 51.66 ng/g in suya, 28.12 ng/g in asun and 23.70 ng/g in kundi. The total heterotrophic bacteria count in suya (28.17 ×10-3cfu/g) was higher than in kundi (11.19 ×10-3cfu/g) and asun (3.99×10-3cfu/g). Therefore, safe keeping and quality of suya in Ibadan metropolis was low based on the above parameters measured.