Effect of temperature and glassy states on the molecular mobility of solutes in frozen tuna muscle as studied by electron spin resonance spectroscopy with spin probe detection

The mobility of solutes in frozen food systems (tuna muscle, sarcoplasmic protein fraction of tuna muscle, and carbohydrate-water) has been studied using the temperature dependence of the shape of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the spin probe 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPOL). The spin probe was incorporated into the tuna meat from an aqueous solution of TEMPOL or by contact with a layer of TEMPOL crystals. The melting/freezing of freeze-concentrated solutes in frozen tuna meat was observed to take place over a range of temperatures from -25 to -10 degrees C. Lower temperatures gave ESR powder spectra due to the decreased mobility of the spin probe, and the temperature dependence of the mobility of the spin probe did not show abrupt changes at the glass transition temperatures of the systems. The mobility of nonglass forming solutes is concluded to be decoupled from the glass forming components. Similar behavior was also observed for TEMPOL in frozen, aqueous carbohydrate systems. The temperature dependence of the mobility of TEMPOL in the frozen systems was analyzed using the Arrhenius equation, and the logarithm of the Arrhenius preexponential factor tau(a) was found to be linearly correlated with the activation energy for all of the tuna and carbohydrate samples, indicating a common molecular mechanism for the observed mobility of TEMPOL in all of the systems. The linear correlation also suggests that the observed mobility of TEMPOL in the frozen aqueous systems is dominated by enthalpy-entropy compensation effects, where the mobility of TEMPOL is thermodynamically strongly coupled to the closest surrounding molecules.     

Glass transition and water effects on sucrose inversion by invertase in a lactose-sucrose system

Enzymatic changes are often detrimental to quality of low-moisture foods. In the present study, effects of glass transition and water on sucrose inversion in a lactose-sucrose food model were investigated. Amorphous samples were produced by freeze-drying lactose-sucrose (2:1)-invertase (20 mg invertase/49.4 g of carbohydrate) dissolved in distilled water. Sorption isotherms were determined gravimetrically at 24 degrees C. Sucrose hydrolysis was determined by monitoring glucose content using a test kit and the amounts of fructose, glucose, and sucrose using HPLC. The glass transition temperatures, T(g), at various water contents were measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The BET and the GAB sorption models were fitted to experimental data up to a(w) 0.444 and 0.538, respectively. Water sorption and DSC results suggested time-dependent crystallization of sugars at a(w) 0.444 and above. Significant sucrose hydrolysis occurred only above T(g), concomitantly with crystallization. Sucrose hydrolysis and crystallization were not likely in glassy materials.     

Glass transition temperature of honey as a function of water content as determined by differential scanning calorimetry

The glass transition of pure and diluted honey and the glass transition of the maximally freeze-concentrated solution of honey were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The glass transition temperature, of the pure honey samples accepted as unadulterated varied between -42 and -51 degrees C. Dilution of honey to 90 wt % honey content resulted in a shift of the glass transition temperature by -13 to -20 degrees C. The concentration of the maximally freeze-concentrated honey solutions, as expressed in terms of honey content is approximately 102-103%, i.e., slightly more concentrated in sugars than honey itself. The application of DSC measurements of and in characterization of honey may be considered, but requires systematic study on a number of honeys.     

Thermal characteristics of soil organic matter measured by DSC: A hint on a glass transition

Glass transitions have been reported for purified humic acids only. In this study, a glass transition was detected in a sample of a sandy forest soil by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The glass transition temperature was 79°C for air‐dried samples and 77°C for pre‐moistened samples. In addition to the glass transition, an exothermic process around 30°C was detected in pre‐moistened samples. This could be due to water loss of soil organic matter. However, the nature of this process is not yet understood. This study showed that the macromolecular behaviour of SOM, as indicated by DSC, reacts to the moisture state of soil organic matter.     

转红色荧光蛋白基因唐鱼肌肉中抗生素标记基因(NPTⅡ)检测和表达量分析

为了获得有特色的观赏鱼,本实验室在2003年将含有海葵红色荧光蛋白基因的表达载体(同时含有标记基因新霉素磷酸转移酶基因(NPTⅡ))转入唐鱼(Tanichthys albonubes)的受精卯,获得转红色荧光蛋白基因唐鱼,对其外源标记基因NPTⅡ的表达产物和存在时间进行分析,为评价转基因鱼的生物安全提供依据.本实验对转基因唐鱼和非转基因唐鱼肌肉中抗生素标记基因(NPTⅡ)进行PCR检测和NPTⅡ表达产物的免疫检测试剂条检测,结果显示,转基因唐鱼检测到NPTⅡ基因和表达产物,而非转基因唐鱼中均没检测到该基因和表达产物存在.同时在唐鱼死亡后(水温20～25℃),应用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)对死亡0 (鲜活肌肉)、24、48、72、96、120和144 h组的转基因唐鱼肌肉中NPTⅡ蛋白的含量进行定量检测,结果表明,转基因唐鱼鲜活肌肉中NPTⅡ蛋白在肌肉中的含量为9.12 ng/g,随着转基因唐鱼死亡时间增加肌肉中NPTⅡ蛋白含量逐渐减少,死亡96 h组转基因唐鱼肌肉中NPTⅡ蛋白已经接近为0.结果表明,转基因唐鱼肌肉中NPTⅡ蛋白在白然环境中容易降解,推测其对环境安全隐患相对较低.     

Water absorption of freeze-dried meat at different water activities: a multianalytical approach using sorption isotherm, differential scanning calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance

Hydration of freeze-dried chicken breast meat was followed in the water activity range of aw=0.12-0.99 by a multianalytical approach comprising of sorption isotherm, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The amount of frozen water and the shape of the T2-relaxogram were evaluated at each water content by DSC and NMR, respectively. Data revealed an agreement between sorption isotherm and DSC experiments about the onset of bulk water (aw=0.83-0.86), and NMR detected mobile water starting at aw=0.75. The origin of the short-transverse relaxation time part of the meat NMR signal was also reinvestigated through deuteration experiments and proposed to arise from protons belonging to plasticized matrix structures. It is proved both by D2O experiments and by gravimetry that the extra protons not contributing to the water content in the NMR experiments are about 6.4% of the total proton NMR CPMG signal of meat.     

Temperature effect on lactose crystallization, maillard reactions, and lipid oxidation in whole milk powder

Whole milk powder with an initial water content of 4.4% (w/w) and a water activity of 0.23 stored in hermetically sealed vials for up to 147 days below (37 and 45 degrees C) and above (55 degrees C) the glass transition temperature (T(g) determined to have the value 48 degrees C) showed a strong temperature dependence for quality deterioration corresponding to energies of activation close to 200 kJ/mol for most deteriorative processes. The glass transition was found not to cause any deviation from Arrhenius temperature dependence. Lactose crystallization, which occurred as a gradual process as monitored by isothermal calorimetry, is concluded to liberate bound water (a(w) increase to 0.46) with a modest time delay (approximately 2 days at 55 degrees C) and with concomitant surface browning as evidenced by an increasing Hunter b-value. Browning and formation of bound hydroxymethyl-furfural determined by HPLC seem to be coupled, while formation of another Maillard reaction product, furosine, occurred gradually and was initiated prior to crystallization. Initiation of lipid oxidation, as detected by lipid-derived radicals (high g-value ESR spectra), and progression of lipid oxidation, as detected by headspace GC, seem not to be affected by lactose crystallization and browning, and no indication of browning products acting as antioxidants could be determined.     

Effect of transglutaminase treatment on the glass transition of soy protein

The effect of microbial transglutaminase (MTG) treatment on the glass transition temperature (T(g)) of two fractions which were isolated from a soy protein sample was studied. The T(g) of each fraction measured by differential scanning calorimetry was lowered by the MTG treatment, which generated cross-links in the samples, and this result agreed with the result of dynamic mechanical analysis. From the (1)H NMR measurement, the line width of the (1)H signal of the MTG-treated sample was observed to be greater than that of the MTG-nontreated sample at similar water content, which implied that there was relatively more immobilized water in the MTG-treated sample. The MTG treatment seemed to cause the increment in immobilized water, which might affect the T(g) of the soy protein sample.     

基于低场核磁和差示量热扫描的面条面团水分状态研究

为了解低水分面条面团中水分的存在状态,明确真空度及和面时间对水分状态的影响,该研究以3个小麦品种（济麦20、宁春4号、济麦22）磨制的面粉为材料,采用真空和面制作低水分面条面团（含水率35%）,采用低场核磁共振技术（LF-NMR,low-field nuclear magnetic resonance）和差示量热扫描（DSC,differential scanning calorimetry）2种技术,测定不同真空度（0、0.06、0.09 MPa）和搅拌时间（4、8、12 min）下面团中水分的形态和分布,并进一步分析2种技术测定水分形态结果的相关性。结果表明,在低水分面条面团中,水分主要以弱结合水形态存在。不同品种的小麦粉面团的水分形态及分布存在差异,强筋小麦粉（济麦20）制作面团的水分自由度较低。真空和面（0.06 MPa）可以促进水分与面筋蛋白的相互作用,降低面团中水分子流动性,促进水分结构化;而非真空或过高真空度均会导致面团中水分自由度增加。济麦20、济麦22小麦粉和面时间为8 min时,面团水分流动性较低;而宁春4号小麦粉面团在4 min时,水分自由度较低;继续搅拌,深层结合水减少、弱结合水增多。LF-NMR和DSC测得面团水分状态的结果具有一致性。LF-NMR测得的弱结合水峰面积百分比与DSC测得的可冻结水百分比具有相同的变化趋势（r=0.695）,且深层结合水峰面积百分比与非冻结水百分比具有相同的变化趋势（r=0.564）。研究结果为认识制面过程中水分的作用,优化和面工艺和调整产品特性提供参考。     

Stability and plasticizing and crystallization effects of vitamins in amorphous sugar systems

Increased molecular mobility and structural changes resulting from water plasticization of glassy solids may lead to loss of the entrapped compounds from encapsulant systems. In the present study, the stability of water-soluble vitamins, vitamin B(1) (vB(1), thiamin hydrochloride) and vitamin C (vC, ascorbic acid), in freeze-dried lactose and trehalose at various water activities was studied. Water sorption of lactose-vB(1), lactose-vC, trehalose-vB(1), and trehalose-vC systems was determined gravimetrically. Glass transition and crystallization of anhydrous and plasticized sugar-vitamin systems were determined using thermal analysis. Critical water activity was calculated using water sorption and glass transition data. The retention of the vitamins was measured spectrophotometrically. The results showed that the amorphous structure protected the entrapped vitamins at low a(w). Crystallization of lactose accelerated vitamin degradation, whereas trehalose retained much higher amounts of the vitamins. Glass transition and critical water activity of solids and crystallization of component sugars should be considered in the stabilization of sensitive components.     

Color formation in dehydrated modified whey powder systems as affected by compression and T(g)

Whey powders have attracted attention for use in the food industry. The Maillard reaction is a major deteriorative factor in the storage of these and other dairy food products. The objective of the present work was to further study the Maillard reaction as related to the physical structure of the matrix, either porous or mechanically compressed, or to storage above the T(g) of anhydrous whey systems. Sweet whey (W), reduced minerals whey (WRM), whey protein isolate (WPI), and whey protein concentrate (WPC) were stored in ovens at selected temperatures. Colorimetric measurements were performed with a spectrocolorimeter, thermal analyses (TGA) by means of a thermobalance, and glass transition temperature studies by DSC. The browning order in the vials and in the compressed systems followed the order W > WRM> WPC > WPI. k(w2), the slope of the second linear segment of the TGA curve, was related to the loss of water due to nonenzymatic browning (NEB). Browning development was in good relationship with this loss of weight. In the glassy state, the compressed systems developed higher rates of browning and weight loss (assigned to NEB reactions) than the porous systems. Reaction rates in both (porous and compressed) systems became similar as (T - T(g)) increased.     

Differential scanning calorimetry study of glass transition in frozen starch gels

The effects of initial water content, maximum heating temperature, amylopectin crystallinity type, and annealing on the glass transition of starch gels were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The glass transition temperatures of the frozen gels measured as the onset (T(g,onset)) or midpoint temperature (T(g,midpoint)), heat capacity change during the glass transition (deltaC(p)), unfrozen water of starch gels, and additional unfrozen water (AUW) arising from gelatinization were reported. The results show that T(g,onset) and T(g,midpoint) of the partially gelatinized gels are independent of the initial water content, while both of the T(g) values of the fully gelatinized gel increase as the initial water content increases. These observations might result from the difference in the level of structural disruption associated with different heating conditions, resulting in different gel structures as well as different concentrations of the sub-T(g) unfrozen matrix. The amylopectin crystallinity type does not greatly affect T(g,onset) and T(g,midpoint) of the gels. Annealing at a temperature near T(g,onset) increases both T(g,onset) and T(g,midpoint) of the gels, possibly due to an increase in the extent of the freeze concentration as evidenced by a decrease in AUW. Annealing results in an increase in the deltaC(p) value of the gels, presumably due to structural relaxation. A devitrification exotherm may be related to AUW. The annealing process decreases AUW, thus also decreasing the size of the exotherm.     

Effects of glycerol and moisture gradient on thermomechanical properties of white bread

The thermomechanical properties of breadcrumb were investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The main transition (T(1), near 0 degrees C) shifted to lower temperature with added glycerol due to freezing point depression. The low-temperature transition (T(3), approximately -50 degrees C), found only in high-glycerol (8.8%) bread, suggested that of excess or phase-separated glycerol. The high-temperature transition (T(2), 60-85 degrees C) appeared only in aged breadcrumbs; its temperature range was correlated well with the amylopectin melting transition (DSC) but its tan delta amplitude did not correlate well with the amylopectin melting enthalpy (r(2) = 0.72). On the other hand, the change of E' ' (viscous behavior) suggested that T(2) might be related to the change in the amorphous region. Domain-to-domain (amorphous) and crumb-to-crust moisture migrations are two critical phenomenological changes associated with aging and could lead to significant local dehydration of some amorphous regions contributing to mechanical firming during storage.     

Plasticization of a protein-based film by glycerol: a spectroscopic, mechanical, and thermal study

Kafirin, the seed storage protein of the cereal sorghum, is highly homologous with the maize storage protein zein. The effects of plasticisation of a kafirin film by glycerol in the absence of water were examined by a combination of spectroscopic (NMR and infrared), rheological, and calorimetric methods. The results suggest that at low glycerol levels the glycerol is absorbed onto and possibly into the protein. Increasing the level of glycerol increases the motion of the protein and changes the protein conformation. There are corresponding changes of the mechanical properties of protein films. At 40% (w/w) of glycerol, two glass transition temperatures were observed, one of which corresponded to the glass transition temperature of pure glycerol. This result indicates that at this level of plasticizer there are sufficient glycerol/glycerol interactions occurring to allow a separate glass formation process for glycerol.     

Nonenzymatic browning in food models in the vicinity of the glass transition: effects of fructose,glucose, and xylose as reducing sugar

Effects of a reducing sugar, fructose, glucose, or xylose, and glass transition on the nonenzymatic browning (NEB) rate in maltodextrin (MD), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), and water systems were studied. Glass transition temperatures (T(g)) were determined using DSC. Water contents were determined gravimetrically, and NEB rates were followed at several temperatures spectrophotometrically at 280 and 420 nm. Reducing sugar did not affect water contents, but xylose reduced the T(g) of the solid models. Sugars showed decreasing NEB reactivity in the order xylose > fructose > glucose in every matrix material. The NEB reactivity and temperature dependence of the single sugars varied in different matrices. The NEB rates of the solid models increased at temperatures 10-20 degrees C above the T(g), and nonlinearity was observed in Arrhenius plots in the vicinity of T(g). The temperature dependence of nonenzymatic browning could also be modeled using the WLF equation.     

Differential Scanning Calorimetric Study on the Effects of Frozen Storage on Gluten and Dough

Water transport from the gluten to the starch paste during frozen storage of a dough was studied by analysis of the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) peak shape for gluten and dough. The results indicate that in gluten stored at ‐15°C, the water content in the gluten phase decreased by ≈1% over the first three weeks. An apparent steady state was attained over this period and the amount of ice did not increase further. Such changes were not observed for samples stored at ‐25°C. Qualitatively similar observations were made for dough stored at either ‐15 or ‐25°C. The greater sensitivity of dough to frozen storage is tentatively attributed to a slightly lower glass transition temperature in dough.     

Characterization of bullet tuna myoglobin with reference to the thermostability-structure relationship

Myoglobin (Mb) was isolated from bullet tuna (Auxis rochei) skeletal muscle and characterized from the viewpoint of the thermostability-structure relationship. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement showed that the thermostability of bullet tuna Mb was the lowest among all the scombridae fish Mbs so far examined. The highest value (72.8 degrees C) of melting temperature (Tm) was obtained at pH 6.52. alpha-Helical content at 10 degrees C was 34.5%, clearly lower than that of horse Mb (55.3%). The amino acid sequence was then deduced by cloning cDNA which encodes bullet tuna Mb. Bullet tuna Mb consisted of 147 amino acids, and the sequence identity was very close to that of skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) Mb (91.8%). A few amino acid substitutions, which could be involved in stability difference of Mb, were recognized. By mass spectrometry of lysyl endoproteinase digest of Mb, the N-terminus was found to be acetylated like that of other fish Mbs.     

Germination of peanut kernels to enhance resveratrol biosynthesis and prepare sprouts as a functional vegetable

Bioactive benefits of resveratrol in the diets have attracted extensive interests of the public. Peanut is one of the potent natural sources of resveratrol. In this study, germination of peanut kernels to enhance resveratrol biosynthesis and preparation of sprouts as a functional vegetable was conducted. When the rehydrated kernels of three peanut cultivars were germinated at 25 degrees C and relative humidity 95% in dark for 9 days, resveratrol contents increased significantly from the range of 2.3 to 4.5 microg/g up to the range of 11.7 to 25.7 mug/g depending upon peanut cultivar. In comparison with the sprout components, resveratrol contents were highest in the cotyledons, slightly lower in the roots, and not detected in the stems. When the sprouts were heated in boiling water for 2 min, resveratrol contents varied in a limited range. Methanol extracts of the freeze-dried sprouts exhibited potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl scavenging activity and antioxidative potency against linoleic acid oxidation. These activities increased with an increase of germination time. After 9 days of germination, total free amino acid, sucrose, and glucose contents increased significantly while crude protein contents decreased and the large sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein molecules of the kernels were extensively degraded. From a practical viewpoint, it is of potency to prepare peanut sprouts as a functional vegetable.     

Role of water state and mobility on the antiplasticization of green and roasted coffee beans

The effect of water on "antiplasticization" and plasticization of green and roasted coffee was studied by textural analysis, sorption isotherms, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). From BET monolayer value to a(w) = 0.61 and 0.75 for green and roasted coffee, respectively, the solid matrix hydration occurred and water induced hardening. Very short NMR T(2) values and the concomitant absence of any DSC endothermic peak assignable to water freezing were observed at these a(w) values. When solid matrix hydration was completed, water started to act as a plasticizing agent, the compressive modulus started to decrease, and NMR revealed the appearance of a new proton pool with increased mobility. According to DSC, only when the plasticizing effect became important did water present enough mobility to freeze. Above this moisture value (a(w) = 0.78 and 0.86 for green and roasted coffee, respectively), water determined a decrease of bean hardness and a further decrease of the elastic modulus.     

Comparison of natural polyphenol antioxidants from extra virgin olive oil with synthetic antioxidants in tuna lipids during thermal oxidation

Polyphenols extracted from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) were tested for their ability to inhibit lipid oxidation of canned tuna. Hydroperoxide formation during oxidation was monitored by measurement of peroxide value and decomposition of hydroperoxides by static headspace gas chromatographic analysis of volatiles. In tuna oxidized at 40 and 100 degrees C, 400 ppm of the EVOO polyphenols was an effective antioxidant as compared with 100 ppm of a 1:1 mixture of the synthetic antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole. However, at concentrations <100 ppm, the EVOO phenolic compounds promoted hydroperoxide formation and decomposition. The EVOO polyphenols were effective antioxidants when added to heated tuna muscle in the presence of either brine or refined olive oil. The oxidation rate in tuna muscle packed in brine was higher than that of tuna packed in refined olive oil. The EVOO polyphenols had higher antioxidant activity in the brine samples than in the refined olive oil. The higher antioxidant activity of EVOO polyphenols in tuna packed in brine may be explained by their greater affinity toward the more polar interface between water and the fish oil system.