Measuring the pH of meat products during storage represents an efficient way to monitor microbial spoilage, since pH is often linked to the growth of several spoilage-associated microorganisms under different conditions. The present work aimed to develop a modelling approach to describe and simulate the pH evolution of fresh meat products, depending on the preservation conditions. The measurement of pH on fresh poultry sausages, made with several lactate formulations and packed under three modified atmospheres (MAP), from several industrial production batches, was used as case-study. A hierarchical Bayesian approach was developed to better adjust kinetic models while handling a low number of measurement points. The pH changes were described as a two-phase evolution, with a first decreasing phase followed by a stabilisation phase. This stabilisation likely took place around the 13th day of storage, under all the considered lactate and MAP conditions. The effects of lactate and MAP on pH previously observed were confirmed herein: (i) lactate addition notably slowed down acidification, regardless of the packaging, whereas (ii) the 50%CO-50%N MAP accelerated the acidification phase. The Bayesian modelling workflow-and the script-could be used for further model adaptation for the pH of other food products and/or other preservation strategies.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/foods11081114 | DOI Listing |
Heliyon
January 2025
Coordination Center for Research in Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi út 138., 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
In recent months, the European Union has experienced inflation that has not been seen for decades. Inflation and inflation expectations are crucial in economic and purchasing behaviour, as they influence consumption. Hungary had the highest inflation among the Member States of the European Union.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Food
January 2025
Network Science Institute and Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
The offering of grocery stores is a strong driver of consumer decisions. While highly processed foods such as packaged products, processed meat and sweetened soft drinks have been increasingly associated with unhealthy diets, information on the degree of processing characterizing an item in a store is not straightforward to obtain, limiting the ability of individuals to make informed choices. GroceryDB, a database with over 50,000 food items sold by Walmart, Target and Whole Foods, shows the degree of processing of food items and potential alternatives in the surrounding food environment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Nutrition Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, 165 EL-Horreya Avenue, EL-Hadarah, Alexandria, 21561, Egypt.
The study aims to evaluate the levels of nitrosamine, a known carcinogenic compound, in processed meat products and to assess its dietary intake and margin of exposure among medical staff, including physicians, pharmacists, and nurses working night shifts at Alexandria University Hospitals. Additionally, the study seeks to evaluate the participants' knowledge of dietary sources and regulatory limits of carcinogens. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 420 participants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAppetite
January 2025
Food Quality and Design Group, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
It is widely accepted that the (over)consumption of meat is negatively linked to environmental problems and public health issues, yet research shows that actual meat consumption remains (too) high. While most research related to the protein transition focuses on consumers' motivations, perceptions and acceptance towards plant-based meat alternatives, a clear need arises to extensively study the context in which (plant-based) meals are consumed. In this research, a generative research approach was applied to extend knowledge on flexitarian households' meat reduction practices.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAppetite
January 2025
Örebro University, School of Hospitality and Meal Science.
In the pursuit of more sustainable diets, researchers have been studying ways to promote a transition from animal- to plant-based meals in foodservice contexts by influencing participants' conscious choices through names, labels, claims, and information. This critical review found that these interventions usually mobilize only those already engaged in reducing the consumption of animal products and often only during the intervention period, failing to influence those who eat most meat or to create long-lasting effects. Analyzing the choice for vegetarian meals against meals with meat in recently published studies conducted in foodservice contexts, we argue that the transition to more sustainable diets should rely less on consumers' willpower and more on public policies and institutional measures that change the availability, price, and visibility of plant-based meals.
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