Oral health-related food selectivity among French independently living elders.

Impaired oral conditions are described as influencing food intake behaviour and contributing to poor nutritional status in elderly persons. In order to evaluate the influence of age and oral factors on food choice among independently living elderly, we investigated food selectivity and oral health status in elders (aged over 65 years) and in younger people (aged between 35 and 64 years). Food selective behaviour was appraised by using a food selectivity questionnaire based on traditional French dishes.

How oral health and food sensory properties impact oral comfort during consumption of apples: A comparative approach in seniors and young adults.

Difficulties encountered during oral processing may cause food avoidance and increase the risk of malnutrition in older adults. The present survey aimed at comparing oral comfort experienced during consumption of apples in elderly and younger people. To do this, 122 participants divided into a senior group (65-83 years) and a control group (35-64 years) rated three varieties of apples (Gala, Granny Smith, Honey Crunch) using a "food comfortability" questionnaire related to general comfort, bolus formation, pain, texture, and taste sensations, and were assessed for their oral conditions.

Acetylated pectins in raw and heat processed carrots.

Heat processing results in softening of carrots, changing the pectin structure. The effect of heat processing on pectin was studied, showing that the amount of pectin in water soluble solids (WSS) and chelating agent soluble solids (ChSS) increased substantially upon heat processing of the carrots. Pectin in WSS from both unprocessed and heat processed carrot had a degree of methyl-esterification (DM) of ≈60% and a degree of acetylation (DA) of ≈20%.

Stabilization of red fruit-based smoothies by high-pressure processing. Part A. Effects on microbial growth, enzyme activity, antioxidant capacity and physical stability.

Background: Non-thermal pasteurization by high-pressure processing (HPP) is increasingly replacing thermal processing (TP) to maintain the properties of fresh fruit products. However, most of the research on HPP-fruit products only partially addresses fruit-pressure interaction, which limits its practical interest. The objective of this study was to assess the use of a mild HPP treatment to stabilize red fruit-based smoothies (microbial, enzymatic, oxidative and physical stability).

Stabilisation of red fruit-based smoothies by high-pressure processing. Part II: effects on sensory quality and selected nutrients.

Background: Non-thermal pasteurisation by high-pressure processing (HPP) is increasingly replacing thermal processing (TP) to maintain the properties of fresh fruit products. The resulting products need to be validated from a sensory and nutritional standpoint. The objective was to assess a mild HPP treatment to stabilise red fruit-based smoothies in a wide (sensory quality and major nutrients) study.

Relevance of nanocomposite packaging on the stability of vacuum-packed dry cured ham.

In this study effects of a novel high barrier multilayer polyamide film containing dispersed nanoclays (PAN) on the stability of vacuum packed dry-cured ham were investigated during 90days refrigerated storage in comparison with non-modified multilayer polyamide (PA) and a commercial high barrier film. Characteristic bands of the mineral in FT-IR spectra confirmed the presence of nanoclays in PAN, enhancing oxygen transmission barrier properties and UV protection. Packaging in PAN films did not originate significant changes on colour or lipid oxidation during prolonged storage of vacuum-packed dry-cured ham.

Influence of PA6 nanocomposite films on the stability of vacuum-aged beef loins during storage in modified atmospheres.

A masterbatch of polyamide 6 (PA6) containing dispersed nanoclays, was used to fabricate a novel multilayer film for vacuum packed meat. Performance of the nanocomposite was compared to a control PA6 multilayer and a high barrier commercial film. Addition of nanoclays improved oxygen barrier properties, UV-blocking capability and stiffness.

Estimation of dry-cured ham composition using dielectric time domain reflectometry.

Development of real-time, non-destructive methods to characterize dry-cured ham is of interest to the food industry. Since dielectric properties change depending on the composition of the food product studied, time domain reflectometry (TDR) could be a useful method to characterize dry-cured ham. In this study, samples with different compositions were measured with a TDR device equipped with an open-ended coaxial line sensor.

Study of the antifungal potential of novel cellulose/copper composites as absorbent materials for fruit juices.

Cellulose/copper composites with antifungal properties have been synthesized by physical/chemical methods. Physical treatments by heat or by a combination of heat and UV radiation provided composites with metallic copper and excellent interfacial adhesion; in contrast, chemical reduction with borohydride generated small although partially aggregated copper oxide nanoparticles. Copper micro/nano-particles and copper ions (Cu(2+)) were released from the cellulose matrix at an adequate rate to achieve a strong antimicrobial activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae in in vitro experiments.

Effect of marination and microwave heating on the quality of Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus muscles from Friesian mature cows.

Semimembranosus (SM) and Semitendinosus (ST) muscles from 8 mature cows were used to evaluate the effect of marination, power of microwave heating, and internal temperature of cooking on the quality of calibrated beef roasts. Four treatments, using combinations of power (182W and 654W) and temperature (60 and 80°C) were applied to marinated (10% added brine: salt, sodium lactate, lactose, and ascorbate) and control roasts from SM (15×5×3cm) and ST (10×4×3cm) muscles in a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement. Microwave cooking was heterogeneous resulting in a gradient of temperatures within the roasts.

Reduction of the spoilage-related microflora in absorbent pads by silver nanotechnology during modified atmosphere packaging of beef meat.

Silver-based antibacterial hybrid materials have been developed by in situ reduction of silver nitrate (1%) adsorbed on cellulose fibers by thermal and UV treatments. Microscopy revealed that the silver nanoparticles were dispersed and regular in shape. Migrated silver ions achieved 60 ppm in beef meat exudates.

Lean content prediction in pig carcasses, loin and ham by computed tomography (CT) using a density model.

Pig carcasses (122 half carcasses, 52 hams and 52 loins) from the Spanish pig population, were obtained in a commercial slaughterhouse and scanned by computed tomography to generate a predictive model determining weight and lean content. The model is mainly based on a density correction equation. The weight prediction model used the area of the histogram of the whole half carcass in a range of -250 to +800 Hounsfield units added to 2769g corresponding to the average weight of the head and pig feet that have not been scanned.

Cellulose-silver nanoparticle hybrid materials to control spoilage-related microflora in absorbent pads located in trays of fresh-cut melon.

The antimicrobial activity of newly developed cellulose-silver nanoparticle hybrid materials was investigated during storage of minimally processed "Piel de Sapo" melon. Silver nanoparticles were produced after in-situ reduction by physical methods of 1% silver nitrate adsorbed on cellulose fibres; they accounted between 5 and 35 nm diameter, and were not aggregated. Fresh-cut melon pieces were stored for 10 days at 4 degrees C under natural modified atmosphere packaging, in presence or absence of silver loaded absorbent pads.

Feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy to predict a(w) and moisture and NaCl contents of fermented pork sausages.

The feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) for predicting parameters related to the drying process of fermented sausages (water activity (a(w)), moisture, and NaCl contents) was assessed. A FT-NIR spectrometer and two spectra acquisition setups with contact and remote probes were tested. NIR calibration models were developed using 207 samples scanned between 12,000 and 4000cm(-1) (833-2500nm) in reflectance mode.

Decontamination technologies for meat products.

Consumers demand high quality, natural, nutritious, fresh appearance and convenient meat products with natural flavour and taste and an extended shelf-life. To match all these demands without compromising safety, in the last decades alternative non-thermal preservation technologies such as HHP, irradiation, light pulses, natural biopreservatives together with active packaging have been proposed and further investigated. They are efficient to inactivate the vegetative microorganisms, most commonly related to food-borne diseases, but not spores.

Microwave heating of cooked pork patties as a function of fat content.

In this study, the parameters heating rate, dielectric factors, and specific heat capacity, which determine the heating profiles and the dissipation of energy during microwave heating, were obtained for precooked pork patties. The pork patties studied were lean meat, pure back fat, and several lean meat/back fat mixtures. Microwave heating at 798 W power was not sufficient to accelerate the heating rates in 100% lean meat compared to 415 W.

Formation of tetracycline degradation products in chicken and pig meat under different thermal processing conditions.

Tetracycline (TC) and 4-epitetracycline (4eTC) degradation, as well as anhydrotetracycline (ATC) and 4-epianhydrotetracycline (4eATC) formation, has been evaluated in thermally treated chicken breast, pig loin, and pig loin with added back-fat. Samples containing TC and 4eTC residues were submitted to microwave or boiling heating, extracted with a mixture of McIlvaine buffer/methanol (75:25), and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection on a phenyl-hexyl reverse phase chromatographic column. The formation of ATC and 4eATC, as well as of two unidentified compounds, was described for the first time in edible meat samples submitted to mild thermal treatments, similar to those applied at home to cook foods.

[Architecture of the visual system of Discoglossus pictus (Oth)].

The retinofugal pathways of an "archaic" Anura Discogossus pictus were examinated with Fink-Heimer method following ablation of the retina and after survival times of 5--105 days at 14 degrees C. A description of the diencephalic and mensencephalic architectonics has been done in order to replace the visual system into the general pattern. The scheme of primary optic pathways and centers is similar in Discoglossus and Rana.