ABSTRACT: The effect of ultrasound on Biceps femoris muscle tenderness was investigated using a 22 Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) with triplicates at the central point. We evaluated the following independent variables: ultrasound intensity ranging from 11.30 to 33.90 W cm-2 and exposure time between 35 and 205 s. The ultrasound bath’s frequency (80 kHz) and temperature (10 ºC) were the fixed ones. To validate the model, the muscle was treated at the CCRD’s optimized condition (80 kHz, 22.60 W cm-2, 120 s, 10 ºC) evaluated, and compared with the muscle control sample (non-treated). A 22% shear force reduction was observed compared to the control sample (no ultrasound treatment) after 144 h, and stored at 5 ºC. Moreover, a sarcoplasmic calcium concentration increase was noted for ultrasound-treated muscle, probably activating the calpain enzyme system. In contrast, no significant influence (P > 0.05) was observed for pH, color index, lipid oxidation, water holding capacity, and drip loss by ultrasound treatment at the optimized conditions. Therefore, ultrasound application is promising and suitable for improving muscle tenderness without losing meat quality. This study highlighted the ultrasound effect on the tenderness of a less studied muscle (Biceps femoris) by combining short ultrasound exposure (120 s) and an 80 kHz frequency.

RESUMO: O efeito do ultrassom sob a maciez do músculo Biceps femoris foi avaliado usando um Delineamento Composto Central Rotacional (DCCR) 22 com triplicatas no ponto central. As variáveis independentes estudadas foram a intensidade do ultrassom que variou de 11,30 a 33,90 W cm-2 e o tempo de exposição de 35 e 205 s. A frequência do banho de ultrassom (80 kHz) e a temperatura (10 ºC) foram fixas. Para validar o modelo, a carne foi tratada na condição otimizada do DCCR (80 kHz, 22,60 W cm-2, 120 s, 10 ºC), avaliada e comparada à amostra controle (não tratada). Uma redução de 22% na força de cisalhamento foi observada em comparação à amostra controle após 144 h e armazenada a 5 ºC. Além disso, um aumento da concentração de cálcio sarcoplasmático foi observado para o músculo tratado com ultrassom, o que provavelmente ativou o sistema enzimático da calpaína. Em contraste, o tratamento com ultrassom nas condições otimizadas não influenciou significativamente (P > 0,05) o pH, cor, oxidação lipídica, capacidade de retenção de água e perda de gotejamento. Portanto, a aplicação do ultrassom é promissora e adequada para melhorar a maciez do músculo sem perder a qualidade da carne. Este estudo destacou o efeito do ultrassom na maciez de um músculo pouco estudado (Biceps femoris) ao combinar exposição curta ao ultrassom (120 s) e uma frequência de 80 kHz.

Eugenol antioxidant and antibacterial properties have suggested its use as a natural preservative for food matrices. Eugenol application is compromised due to its high volatility and sensibility to external agents, such as light, heat, oxygen, and moisture. Thus, microencapsulation is viable to increase the eugenol stability. Results have showed that carrageenan combined with rice protein and bovine albumin allow high-quality eugenol microcapsules. These materials show excellent properties, favoring the microcapsules use in food matrices. This study aimed to optimize microcapsules formulation by spray drying, using a simplex-centroid mixture design. Blends of low-lactose whey protein (WP) and/or rice bran protein (RBP) and/or bovine serum albumin (BSA) with carrageenan were used as wall materials. Blends influenced the eugenol retention, microencapsulation efficiency, and size. Pure WP was not efficient for eugenol encapsulation. The highest eugenol retention values, 89.7% and 86.5% were obtained by combining carrageenan with RBP or BSA. RBP and BSA binary interaction with carrageenan showed the highest encapsulation value (80.5%). Scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry confirmed eugenol inside the microcapsules.

ABSTRACT The addition of soy proteins, currently classified as a food allergen, into meat products is a commonly used practice due to its functional properties and low cost. Its addition to meat products can cause health problems for individuals allergic to these proteins. Allergic individuals can be affected by the ingestion of low amounts of the allergen. In Brazil, limits are set for the addition of soy proteins in meat products in order to avoide fraud. Starting in 2015 reporting the name of the added component became mandatory for all food labelling. Some studies have reported that food processing can reduce the allergenicity, either by irreversible removal of allergens or by modifying the allergen structure. However, the technological approach to decrease allergenicity has largely been empirical. This review describes the use of soy protein in meat products and the health risk for allergic individuals and consumers of these products. Finally, appropriate methodologies for the detection and quantification of these proteins must be further explored and established to avoid fraud and to preserve consumer health.

RESUMEN La adición de proteínas de soya, actualmente clasificadas como alergeno alimentario, en los productos cárnicos es una práctica comúnmente utilizada debido a sus propiedades funcionales y bajo costo. Su adición en productos cárnicos puede causar problemas de salud en personas alérgicas a estas proteínas. Las personas alérgicas pueden verse afectadas por la ingestión de cantidades diminutas de alérgeno. En Brasil, se establecen límites para la adición de proteínas de soya en los productos cárnicos con el objetivo de evitar el fraude. Solo en 2015 se hizo obligatoria la declaración en la etiqueta de todos los alimentos que indicaban la presencia de sustancias alérgicas, así como el nombre del componente. Algunos estudios se refieren al procesamiento de alimentos para reducir la alergenicidad, ya sea mediante la eliminación irreversible de alergenos o modificando la estructura del alergeno; sin embargo, el enfoque tecnológico hasta ahora para disminuir la alergenicidad ha sido en gran medida empírico. Esta revisión describe el uso de proteína de soya en los productos cárnicos y el riesgo que puede causar para la salud de las personas alérgicas y a los consumidores de estos productos. Finalmente, las metodologías apropiadas para la detección y cuantificación de estas proteínas deben explorarse en profundidad y establecerse para evitar el fraude y preservar la salud de los consumidores.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of chicken nuggets packaging attributes on Brazilian consumer purchase intention. Focus group technique was employed in order to identify the relevant packaging characteristics. Forty consumers were interviewed in six sessions where five different types of chicken nuggets packaging were evaluated. After identifying the most relevant parameters for the study (color, picture, brand, and price), the impact of each characteristic (factor) on the purchase intent was evaluated. The conjoint analysis technique was applied to 100 consumers data. Eight stimuli (labels) were prepared by combining two levels for each factor using a fractional factorial design 24-1. The price significantly influences at the time of purchase, which was quantitatively confirmed by the conjoint analysis, demonstrating the importance of a product supplied with a competitive market price. The picture influences at the time of purchase more than color and brand. Despite having less relative importance, warm colors and a brand already associated with the product might contribute positively to purchase intention.