ABSTRACT: We evaluated the effect of frozen storage temperature and thawing methods on acceptance and sensory profile of steaks of Nellore beef strip loin under 30 days of frozen storage. Fresh strip loin (n = 13), collected two days after slaughter, were aged (2 °C) for 14 days and cut into seven steaks subjected to one of the treatments: control (unfrozen), combination of two freezing temperatures (−10 and −20 °C), and three thawing methods (microwave, ambient temperature, and refrigeration thawing). Steaks in the frozen/thawing treatment were frozen using an ultra-fast freezer until the desirable temperature was reached and were stored for 30 days. After cooking, steaks were analyzed by 11 panelists for the Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA®) and by 120 beef consumers for acceptance. Storage temperature and thawing methods showed little or no changes in the sensory quality of strip loin steaks, detected by either panelists or consumers. In the QDA®, apparent juiciness was lower in samples thawed in microwave, while the rancid flavor was lower for samples frozen at −20 °C and thawed in refrigeration ( p < 0.05). The consumer test showed that samples stored at −10 °C and microwave thawing was most accepted in terms of tenderness, juiciness, and overall impression. Fresh steaks (unfrozen) had low acceptance for overall impression in relation to frozen meat. This indicates that consumers could use a household freezer (−10 °C) and quicker thawing methods (microwave or room temperature) without compromising the sensory perception of steaks frozen up to one month.

Resumo Hoplias malabaricus é um peixe comumente encontrado na bacia do rio Mogi Guaçu. Não realiza migração e alimenta-se de peixes, pequenos crustáceos e insetos. Faz parte da dieta de seres humanos, aves e outros mamíferos piscívoros. Apresenta grande valor nutricional em relação à quantidade e à qualidade de vitaminas e aminoácidos essenciais. Em relação à fauna parasitária, este peixe pode albergar diferentes espécies de helmintos em seu trato gastrointestinal. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a eventual interferência do parasitismo no rendimento e na composição centesimal da carne do pescado de H. malabaricus. Para isso, foram realizadas coletas por um ano, em lagoas marginais do rio Mogi Guaçu, Pirassununga, estado de São Paulo, Brasil, utilizando-se anzol e rede de espera. Como resultado, todos os exemplares de H. malabaricus estavam parasitados por, pelo menos, uma espécie de parasita, prevalecendo larvas de Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). O parasitismo não afetou a composição centesimal da carne do peixe, mas foi encontrada uma correlação negativa forte entre o rendimento da carne e o número de larvas de parasitos.

Abstract Hoplias malabaricus is a non-migratory fish commonly found in the Mogi Guaçu River basin, mainly feeding on fish, small crustaceans and insects. It forms part of the diet for humans, birds and some mammals. This fish has great nutritional value, with both good quality and good quantities of essential vitamins and amino acids. Regarding parasitic fauna, this fish can host different species of helminths in its gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible interference of parasitism in the meat yield from H. malabaricus and the centesimal composition. For this purpose, fish specimens were collected from marginal lagoons of the Mogi Guaçu River (Pirassununga, state of São Paulo, Brazil) using hooks and fishing nets. We found that all specimens of H. malabaricus were parasitized by at least one species, including larvae of Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). Parasitism did not have any significant influence on centesimal composition, but meat yield was negatively correlated with the abundance of larvae.

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of immunocastration on the animal growth, carcass traits, and meat quality of Nellore cattle receiving or not Ionophore supplementation at pasture or pasture with concentrate (semi-feedlot). The first experiment (Pasture) was carried out during the rainy season, while the second (supplemented = Semi-feedlot) was conducted during the dry season. In each assessment, 60 males were allocated into three treatments, in a completely randomized design: non-castrated, immunocastrated (anti-gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine), and immunocastrated animals receiving ionophore. The highly energetic supplemented diet was prepared using 85 % corn and 10 % soybean meal at 1 % body weight, while the ionophore was provided with salt containing 1,650 mg kg−1 of lasalocid. After slaughter, the carcasses were graded, and Longissimus thoracis et lumborum samples were collected for meat quality analysis. The non-castrated animals exhibited a more significant final body weight and hot carcass weight than those immunocastrated regardless of ionophore supplementation (p < 0.05). The carcasses of non-castrated animals had less fat cover and marbling than castrated animals. A high incidence of dark cutting beef was verified in non-castrated animals. The immunocastrated cattle produced tenderer beef, mainly at pasture rearing. In conclusion, regardless of production system or ionophore supplementation, immunocastration was an adequate choice to generate high-quality meat, since it increased marbling and improved beef tenderness. However, limitations regarding animal growth should be estimated.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de uma taxa de resfriamento mais lenta sobre as características físico-químicas da alcatra (M. gluteus medius) de touros F1 Angus x Nelore, maturada por 14 dias. Carcaças leves e magras (n = 30) foram divididas em meias carcaças e selecionadas para controle (2°C por 24 horas) e tratamento (10°C por 10 horas seguido de 2°C por 14 horas). A temperatura das carcaças e a queda do pH foram monitorados no M. longissimus dorsi (LD). O comprimento do sarcômero, a cor e a maciez instrumentais (força de cisalhamento Warner-Bratzler e Volodkevich bite jaws) foram medidos no M. gluteus medius (GM). O pH 6,0 foi atingido quando a temperatura do LD estava muito baixa, 3°C para o controle e 6°C para o tratamento. Diferenças na cor e perdas de cozimento não foram significativas. Uma tendência foi notada para menor comprimento do sarcômero e maior força de cisalhamento Warner-Bratzler no GM controle. No entanto, foi encontrado menor valor de Volodkevich bite jaws no GM submetido ao tratamento. Os regimes de resfriamento adotados não foram suficientemente diferentes para causar mudanças nos parâmetros de cor; porém, o resfriamento lento da carcaça melhorou a maciez e pode ser uma boa opção para produzir cortes de alto valor.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of a slower chilling rate on the physical traits of 14-day aged top sirloin (gluteus medius) from F1 Angus x Nellore young bulls. Slight and lean beef carcasses (n = 30) were split in half and selected for control (2°C for 24 hours) and treatment (10°C for 10 hours followed by 2°C for 14 hours). Carcass temperature and pH decline were monitored in the longissimus dorsi (LD). Sarcomere length, color, and instrumental tenderness (Warner-Bratzler shear force and Volodkevich bite jaws) were measured on the gluteus medius (GM). pH 6.0 was reached when the LD temperature was very low, 3°C for the control and 6°C for the treatment. Differences in color and cooking losses were not significant. A trend was noticed for shorter sarcomere length and greater Warner-Bratzler shear force in the GM control. However, a lower value for Volodkevich bite jaws was found in the GM subjected to the treatment. The cooling regimes adopted were not sufficiently different to cause changes in color traits; however, the slow chilling of carcass improved tenderness and can be a good alternative to produce high-value cuts.

O perfil sensorial de bebida láctea achocolatada foi obtido por meio da Análise Descritiva Quantitativa (ADQ), utilizando três marcas comerciais do produto. Doze termos descritivos foram desenvolvidos por uma equipe de provadores selecionados e treinados, que geraram também a definição de cada termo e as amostras referência. Os resultados foram submetidos à ANOVA, teste de Tukey e Análise de Componentes Principais. A bebida láctea achocolatada da marca A caracterizou-se por apresentar maior intensidade de doçura, aroma e sabor de caramelo, enquanto as características predominantes da marca B foram a cor marrom, viscosidade e arenosidade muito intensos. O produto da marca C diferiu dos demais por apresentar maior aroma e sabor de leite. Foi também realizado um teste de aceitação para avaliar as amostras de uma forma global, quanto a intensidade do ideal de doçura e a intenção de compra. Todas as marcas apresentaram boa aceitabilidade global, não apresentando diferença significativa entre si, assim como a intenção de compra. O teste com o consumidor indicou que a amostra B apresentou intensidade de doçura ideal.

The sensory profile of three commercial brands of milk chocolate beverage was obtained using the Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA). Twelve descriptive terms, their definitions, and reference samples were generated by a selected and trained panel. The statistical analysis included the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Tukey's Test for means, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Brand A showed strong sweetness taste, aroma, and caramel flavor, whereas the predominant characteristics of brand B were the brown color, viscosity, and very intense sandiness. Brand C differed from the others for presenting stronger aroma and milk flavor. An acceptance test was also performed to evaluate the samples thoroughly in terms of the intensity of the ideal sweetness and buying intention. All brands presented high acceptability, and there was no significant difference between them.

Os probióticos têm sido largamente utilizados em produtos lácteos. Recentemente, seu uso em produtos cárneos tem despertado interesse, principalmente em embutidos fermentados consumidos na forma crua e sem aquecimento prévio. Verificou-se a influência da utilização de Lactobacillus casei, L. paracasei e L. rhamnosus sobre as características físico-químicas e sensoriais de embutido fermentado, bem como o desenvolvimento e a viabilidade das culturas no produto cárneo. Os embutidos foram processados em quatro tratamentos, sendo o primeiro tratamento usado como controle, enquanto os demais receberam a adição de uma espécie de Lactobacillus probiótico, seguindo procedimento de fabricação descrito para salame italiano por um período de 25 dias. A presença das culturas probióticas promoveu redução mais rápida do pH dos embutidos em relação ao tratamento controle, proporcionando gosto ácido mais intenso na avaliação sensorial, principalmente para cepa de L. rhamnosus. O crescimento de Staphylococcus xylosus da cultura starter sofreu redução com a adição dos probióticos, porém o desenvolvimento de Pediococcus pentosaceus não foi afetado. Os probióticos testados mostraram crescimento durante o processamento e permaneceram viáveis no produto final. Ficou demonstrada a viabilidade da utilização das culturas probióticas em embutido cárneo fermentado, principalmente L. casei e L. paracasei, preservando suas propriedades tecnológicas e sensoriais.

Probiotic Lactobacillus strains have been widely used in dairy products. Recently, attention has been directed to the use of probiotics in meat products, mainly in fermented sausages. The effect of the utilization of Lactobacillus casei, L. paracasei and L. rhamnosus strains on physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory quality of fermented sausage was evaluated. The sausages were processed in four batches: one was used as the control, while the other three batches received one of the probiotic strains each. The manufacturing procedure described for Italian salami with 25 days of fermentation and ripening was followed. The presence of probiotic Lactobacillus resulted in a faster pH decrease, which affected the taste of the probiotic sausages. There was an increase in acid notes, mostly in the sausage containing L. rhamnosus. The lactobacilli strains also decreased the growth of Staphylococcus xylosus; however, they did not affect the number of Pediococcus pentosaceus and the acceptability of the sausages in the sensory evaluation. All Lactobacillus strains showed an increase in viable cell count during manufacturing and this parameter remained high until the end of ripening. The viability of the utilization of probiotic Lactobacillus, especially L. paracasei and L. casei, in fermented sausage, maintaining the quality characteristics of the product, was demonstrated.