The Effect of K-Lactate Salt and Liquid Smoke on Bacterial Growth in a Model System

The effects of a commercial lactate salt formulation—containing potassium lactate (KL) and potassium acetate (KA)—and liquid smoke (LS) on the growth of selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB; Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Carnobacterium inhibens, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus curvatus, and Enterococcus faecalis), fish spoilage bacteria (Photobacterium phosphoreum, Pseudomonas putida, and Vibrio vulnificus), and Listeria innocua, were examined in a tryptic soy broth model system at 20ºC based on BioScreen data. The most pronounced inhibition effect on growth of bacteria was seen in the presence of 6% KL + 0.4% KA, used either combined with LS or alone. Only a minor inhibition effect on growth was found in the presence of LS alone. The only exception was Lactobacillus curvatus, which grew quite well in the presence of LS compared to control medium. The growth of Vibrio vulnificus was prevented in 6% KL + 0.4% KA, and significantly inhibited in the presence of 3% KL + 0.2% KA. When V. vulnificus was grown in NaCl, KA, and KL + KA, it was observed that KL + KA had a better inhibition effect than sodium salt within the same concentration range.     

Effects of Potassium Lactate and Acetate on Listeria monocytogenes Inhibition,Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Smoked Catfish Fillets

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of liquid and wood smoking with a potassium lactate (PL) and acetate (PA) combination on the quality and inhibition of L. monocytogenes growth in ready-to-eat (RTE) smoked catfish fillets. Catfish fillets were tumbled with PL and PA, and treated with no smoke (NS), wood smoke (WS), liquid smoke 1 (LS1), and liquid smoke 2 (LS2). Wood smoke with antimicrobials (WSWA) showed greater inhibition (p < 0.05) of L. monocytogenes growth than other treatments with the exception of the LS1 treatment with antimicrobials. Consumers preferred (p < 0.05) smoked catfish fillets treated with WS to LS1 with respect to appearance, odor, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability. In conclusion, the use of PL and PA did not have a negative impact on the quality and sensory properties of smoked catfish fillets but had a synergistic effect with wood smoke constituents that inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes.     

Effect of Liquid Smoke Dipping and Packaging Method on the Keeping Quality of Raw and Cooked Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) Fillets

Changes in biochemical and sensory attributes of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) fillets during storage treated by immersion in a 12% NaCl brine with or without 0.2% liquid smoke were investigated. Brine-treated chub mackerel fillets were packaged in modified atmosphere or under vacuum and were stored at 4°C. The brined fillets were stored and evaluated raw and after heat treatment as cooked samples. Fish fillets were assessed organoleptically to determine acceptability and by measuring the pH, oxidation levels (TBARS test), and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN). Fillets treated in brine with liquid smoke exhibited similar pH and significantly lower TBARS and TVBN values (p < 0.05). The combination of the use of brines containing liquid smoke and subsequent vacuum packaging produced the lowest TBARS and TVBN values and resulted in extended acceptability.     

Characterization of Green Lipped Mussel Meat. Part II: Changes in Physical Characteristics as a Result of Brining and Liquid Smoke Application

The effects of dry or wet brining, different liquid smoke (LS) dipping schedules, and different LS on the weight, water activity, view area, and texture attributes of mussels were compared. Dry brining resulted in significant weight loss (about 30%), whereas liquid brining (4% salt) increased the original weights. With LS dippings, wet brined mussels lost weight, while dry brined samples gained weight. For the same brining and dipping schedule, there was no significant difference between dipping in hickory or in maple LS (p > 0.05). The R² of linear, power, and quadratic polynomial fits to weight versus view area (calculated by image analysis) was 0.8, too low for practical applications. The change in individual mussel weight versus view area was different depending on the brining method. The weight versus view area of wet brined mussels increased and decreased during treatment steps, while dry brined mussels showed a regular decrease in weight versus view area. Texture, measured by texture profile analysis, and water activity also changed significantly upon dry brining (p < 0.05).