Abstract In this study, four milk substrates were analyzed to evaluate bovine Lactobacillus plantarum strain viability after 24 and 48 h of fermentation. In addition, cell viability, and post-acidification in transition milk fermented by these bacteria were assessed over a 60-d storage period at 4 and 25 °C. Significant reduction (30.9 %) of cell viability after 48 h of fermentation was observed for the formulation with whole milk. However, in fermented transition milk stored at 4 °C, cell viability and acidity were maintained at acceptable levels throughout the 60-d storage period. The viability of L. plantarum in fermented transition milk stored at 25 °C remained acceptable up to 50 d and minimum pH values were analyzed after 38 d of storage and maximum acidity levels after 56 d. Considering these results, transition milk may be preserved by L. plantarum fermentation as a substitute for milk in the artificial feed for calves as functional food.

Resumen En este estudio se analizaron cuatro sustratos de la leche para evaluar la viabilidad de la cepa de Lactobacillus plantarum de origen bovino después de 24 y 48 horas de fermentación. Además, se evaluó la viabilidad celular y la post-acidificación en la leche de transición fermentada por estas bacterias durante un periodo de almacenamiento de 60 días a 4 y 25 °C. Se observó una reducción significativa (de 30.9 %) de la viabilidad celular después de 48 horas de fermentación para la formulación con leche entera. Sin embargo, en la leche de transición fermentada almacenada a 4 °C, la viabilidad celular y la acidez se mantuvieron en niveles aceptables a lo largo del periodo de 60 días. La viabilidad de L. plantarum en la leche de transición fermentada permaneció aceptable hasta los 50 días, y se analizaron los valores de pH mínimo después de 38 días de almacenamiento y los niveles máximos de acidez después de 56 días. Tomando en cuenta estos resultados, la leche de transición puede ser conservada mediante la fermentación con L. plantarum como un sustituto de la leche en la alimentación artificial para terneros como alimento funcional.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of raw milk in different production systems and its variation throughout the year. The data were collected from 943 dairy farms in the South, Central-West and Central regions of the state of Minas Gerais, and in Vale do Paraíba, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The data were collected in the period from January 2009 to September 2011, in a total of 18,206 samples. The properties were divided into confinement, semi-confinement and extensive production systems. The evaluated factors were somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC) and protein and fat contents. There was no effect of production system on the contents of protein, fat and SCC. Total bacterial count, however, was affected by production. Seasonal variations were found for SCC, TBC, protein and fat; the highest protein values were found from March to June; the highest fat contents were obtained from May to August; and TBC and SCC, from December to March. The production system does not interfere with the percentage of fat and protein and SCC of the milk. However, confinement systems present a better TBC content. Both month and year are factors that interfere with TBC, SCC, protein and milk fat, and the best patterns are found in the coldest periods of the year.

As indústrias de alimentos vêm inovando e desenvolvendo novos produtos e processamentos, e os consumidores estão mais conscientes e preocupados em relação às novas tecnologias alimentares, o que pode influenciar a aceitação dos alimentos. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se disponibilizar para a língua portuguesa o questionário originalmente desenvolvido em inglês que avalia a neofobia em relação à tecnologia de alimentos, denominado Food Technology Neophobia Scale (FNTS). O instrumento original composto por treze afirmações foi inicialmente traduzido para o português por três indivíduos bilíngues, de forma independente; na sequência, as versões em português foram traduzidas novamente para o inglês por outros três indivíduos bilíngues, também de forma independente. Procedeu-se então à análise das versões e ajustes para se obter uma única versão em português com equivalência conceitual e linguística, a qual recebeu o nome de Escala de Neofobia em relação à Tecnologia de Alimentos. As versões original e traduzida foram aplicadas a 30 indivíduos bilíngues para avaliação da confiabilidade e reprodutibilidade do questionário. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a tradução do instrumento foi adequada e confiável, podendo, portanto, ser empregada em estudos com consumidores brasileiros.

The food industries have been innovating and developing new products and processes.Consumers are aware and well concerned about new food technologies, which can influence food acceptance . In this context, the objective was to provide a portuguese version of the questionnaire developed in English to evaluate neophobia for food technology called Food Technology Neophobia Scale (FNTS). The original instrument consists of thirteen items and was initially translated into Portuguese by three bilingual individuals independently. Following the Portuguese versions were translated back into English by three other bilingual individuals, also independently. Analysis of versions and adjustments were performed to obtain a single version in Portuguese with linguistic and conceptual equivalence, which was called "Escala de Neofobia em relação à Tecnologia de Alimentos". The original and translated versions were applied to 30 bilingual individuals to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of the questionnaire. The results showed that the translation of the instrument was adequate and reliable, therefore can be used in studies with Brazilian consumers.

The adhesion of the solids presents in food can difficult the process of surface cleaning and promotes the bacterial adhesion process and can trigger health problems. In our study, we used UHT whole milk, chocolate based milk and infant formula to evaluate the adhesion of Enterobacter sakazakii on stainless steel coupons, and we determine the work of adhesion by measuring the contact angle as well as measured the interfacial tension of the samples. Inaddition we evaluated the hydrophobicity of stainless steel after pre-conditioning with milk samples mentioned. E. sakazakii was able to adhere to stainless steel in large numbers in the presence of dairy products. The chocolate based milk obtained the lower contact angle with stainless steel surface, higher interfacial tension and consequently higher adhesion work. It was verified a tendency of decreasing the interfacial tension as a function of the increasing of protein content. The pre-conditioning of the stainless steel coupons with milk samples changed the hydrophobic characteristics of the surfaces and became them hydrophilic. Therefore, variations in the composition of the milk products affect parameters important that can influence the procedure of hygiene in surface used in food industry.

There is an increasing tendency to add natural antimicrobials of plant origin into food. The objective of this work was to develop a microbial sachet incorporated with allyl isothiocyanate (AIT), a volatile compound of plant origin, and to test its efficiency against growth of yeasts and molds, Staphylococcus sp. and psychrotrophic bacteria on sliced mozzarella cheese. Another objective was to quantify the concentration of AIT in the headspace of cheese packaging. A reduction of 3.6 log cycles was observed in yeasts and molds counts in the mozzarella packed with the antimicrobial sachet over 15-day storage time. The sachet also showed an antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus sp., reducing 2.4 log cycles after 12-day storage. Psychrotrophic bacteria species were the most resistant to the antimicrobial action. The highest concentration of AIT (0.08µg.mL-1) inside the active packaging system was observed at the 6-day of storage at 12 ºC ± 2 ºC. At the end of the storage time, AIT concentration decreased to only 10% of the initial concentration. Active packaging containing antimicrobial sachet has a potential use for sliced mozzarella, with molds and yeasts being the most sensitive to the antimicrobial effects.