Tissue Softening Research Articles

Radiation-induced morphea of the breast – characterization and treatment of fibroblast dysfunction with repurposed mesalazine

Radiation-induced morphea (RIM) is a rare complication of radiotherapy presenting as inflammatory fibrosis, most commonly reported in breast cancer patients. As underlying disease mechanisms are not well understood, targeted therapies are lacking. Since fibroblasts are the key mediators of all fibroproliferative diseases, this study aimed to characterize patient-derived fibroblasts to identify therapeutic targets. We studied primary human control and RIM-fibroblasts on a functional and molecular basis, analyzed peripheral blood and tissue samples and conducted, based on our findings, a treatment attempt in one patient. In RIM, we identified a distinct myofibroblast phenotype reflected by increased alpha-smooth-muscle-actin (αSMA) expression, reduced proliferation and migration rates, and overexpression of osteopontin (OPN). Our RNA sequencing identified aberrant Myc activation as a potential disease driver in RIM fibroblasts, similar to previous findings in systemic sclerosis. Treatment with the anti-inflammatory drug mesalazine reversed the myofibroblast phenotype by targeting Myc. Based on these findings, a patient with RIM was successfully treated with mesalazine, resulting in reduced inflammation and pain and tissue softening, while serum OPN was halved. The present study provides a comprehensive characterization of RIM fibroblasts, suggests a disease-driving role for Myc, demonstrates promising antifibrotic effects of mesalazine and proposes OPN as a biomarker for RIM.

Safety and quality of life assessment at 6 months follow-up of the valvosoft pivotal study

Abstract Background Calcific Aortic stenosis (CAS) is currently the most common heart valve disease. Patients suffering from severe CAS are treated with invasive surgeries based on valve replacement. Symptoms heavily impact quality of life, including chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, and major risks as heart failure or sudden death, and daily activities might also be strongly impacted. Purpose A prospective, multi-centre, single-arm, pivotal study (NCT05235568) was initiated in 2021 to treat severe CAS patients with Valvosoft, a medical device based on Non-Invasive Ultrasound Therapy (NIUT) intended to treat CAS in patients not eligible for immediate aortic valve replacement (SAVR/TAVR) or refusing such a treatment, to confirm safety and performance at 1-, 3-, 6- and 12 months. We present here the safety and quality of life results at 6M follow-up. Methods Valvosoft NIUT procedure is based on a trans-thoracic delivery of focused, high intensity short therapeutic ultrasound pulses, to precisely generate a cavitation bubble cloud on the aortic valve. Echocardiographic imaging enables to monitor the valve in real-time while cavitation causes both non-thermal tissue softening and calcification fractionation of the diseased valve. 60 planned subjects, suffering from severe calcific aortic stenosis, not recommended for aortic valve replacement or refusing such a procedure, were enrolled in 11 centres in Europe. Patients were awake or lightly sedated, NIUT was delivered during up to 70 minutes per patient per procedure. DSMB and CEC were installed to monitor safety, performance and effectiveness of Valvosoft device, and safety related to participation in the clinical investigation. Results Sixty high-risk patients advanced in age (85.2 ± 9.1) with multiple severe comorbidities were included. Primary safety endpoint (less than 25% MACE) was met at 30D (p=0.002). Furthermore patients experienced an overall quality of life improved. 6 minutes’ walk test increases from baseline towards 6 months with 10 %. At 6M follow-up, no stroke was reported, an average KCCQ score improvement of 17% was noticed, and NYHA class improved or stabilized for 78% of patients. The calcium score or volume on the aortic did not change pre- and post-procedure. Conclusion Valvosoft NIUT safety and quality of life improvement are proven at 6MFU, and the technology is presented as potentially disruptive, in the treatment of severe calcific aortic stenosis.

Differentiated texture and lipid-lowering effect of cooked pork belly by different cooking regimes: insights from myofibrillar protein aggregation and dissociation, micromorphology

The effects of traditional flame stewing (TFS), commercial pressure cooking (PC), and sous-vide cooking (SVC) on the texture of pork belly and the underlying mechanism were investigated. SVC treatment at a low temperature (60 °C) achieved weaker oxidation of sulfhydryl groups, lower α-helical loss, higher surface hydrophobicity, and actomyosin dissociation, which reduced the shrinkage of myofibrils and loss of immobilized water, thus contributed to a tender meat. However, the protein aggregation predominated without actomyosin dissociation during PC treatment, causing the toughening of meat. TFS and PC intensified the atrophy of adipocytes and damage of cell membranes, which helped for the softening of adipose tissue and achieved 13.82% and 17.62 % lipid loss, respectively, and contributed to a higher ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (0.45–0.46) than SVC (0.34). Comparisons showed that TFS was a more suitable method to prepare cooked pork belly with tender and juicy texture, low lipid content, and high ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids. This study offered new insights into how cooking regimes affect the texture and lipid-lowering effects of stewed pork.

ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PROFILES OF BACTERIA FROM SPOILED FRUITS IN RAWALAKOT DISTRICT POONCH, AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Fruits play a vital role in human diet by providing essential growth factors such as vitamins and minerals in daily diet which help to live healthy life. Bacteria are important factor for spoilage of fruits. Bacterial degradation first causes softening of tissues as pectin are degraded and the whole fruit may eventually degenerate into a slimy mass. Spoilage refers to any change in fruit condition in which fruit become unacceptable or undesirable for human use. Therefore present study was conducted at Rawalakot, District Pooch AJK, to identify the bacteria (E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus) from spoiled fruit samples as well as to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of these isolated bacteria using antibiotic disc diffusion method. For this purpose a total of 100 spoiled fruit samples (50 samples of spoiled apple and 50 samples of spoiled banana) were randomly collected from different locations of Rawalakot including Kharick, Kasaigali, D. Chowk, Nala Bazar and Supply Bazar by random sampling technique. Results of the study showed that out of 50 samples of Banana 25(50%) samples were positive for Staphylococcus aureus and 25(50%) were positive for E. coli. While among 50 samples of Apple 25(50%) were positive for E. coli and 25(50%) were positive for Staphylococcus aureus respectively. For antimicrobial susceptibility test disc diffusion method was followed. S. aureus from apple samples the highest resistance was observed for Sulphamethox 25(100%) and Cefoxtin 25(100%) while for banana the highest %age was recorded for Amoxicillin 25(100%) and Sulphamethox 25(100%) respectively. E. coli from apple samples strains were highly resistant to Erythromycin 22(88%), while for banana the highest percentage was recorded for Amoxicillin 23(92%) and Erythromycin 20(80%).

The potential of calcium nanoparticles in posthaverst conservation of fresh-cut seedless watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

In fresh cut (FC) watermelon, texture loss on the flesh leads to tissue softening and greater water soaking, reducing the shelf life. This study was assessed the effect of calcium nanoparticles (NP) [CaO-NP and Ca(OH)2-NP] at three concentrations (100, 150, and 200 mg L−1) compared to control (water) and CaCl2 (1 %, w/v), on FC seedless watermelon. Treatments were applied by 3-min immersion and stored for 12 d at 5 ± 1 °C. Quality, oxidative stress and softening variables were determined every four days. The postharvest quality variables for all treatments were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), followed by cluster analysis, using the first three dimensions obtained from PCA (explaining 71.68 %). The PCA results showed that visual quality (VQ) was the most influential variable. The treatments with Ca(OH)2-NP positively affected FC watermelon while the treatments with CaO-NP showed a negative correlation. Furthermore, the PCA analysis showed a negative correlation between visual quality and the variables juice leakage (JL) and weight loss (WL). Cluster analysis showed that Ca(OH)2-NP treatments at 8 and 12 d were globally closer to the control at 0 d followed by all treatments applied at 4 d of storage. In general, positive effects were observed in the FC seedless watermelon treated with 100 and 150 mg L−1 Ca(OH)2-NP, compared to the FC seedless watermelon treated with CaO-NP in the same concentrations, in the parameters of water soaking, lipid peroxidation and in the PME activity after 12 d of storage. FC seedless watermelon treated with 100, 150 and 200 mg L−1 Ca(OH)2-NP showed 2.2, 4.4 and 3.2 times less water soaking, respectively, compared to the values observed in the same concentrations of CaO-NP. A similar trend was observed in the values of lipid peroxidation parameters and PME activity, where 2.5, 3.2 and 2.7 times less lipid peroxidation and 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8 times lower PME activity were observed. No differences were detected in CAT and POD activities between CaO-NP and Ca(OH)2-NP treatments. In general, the best quality results were obtained in the FC seedless watermelon fruit treated with the different concentrations of Ca(OH)2-NP.

The Networking Brain: How Extracellular Matrix, Cellular Networks, and Vasculature Shape the In Vivo Mechanical Properties of the Brain.

Mechanically, the brain is characterized by both solid and fluid properties. The resulting unique material behavior fosters proliferation, differentiation, and repair of cellular and vascular networks, and optimally protects them from damaging shear forces. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a noninvasive imaging technique that maps the mechanical properties of the brain in vivo. MRE studies have shown that abnormal processes such as neuronal degeneration, demyelination, inflammation, and vascular leakage lead to tissue softening. In contrast, neuronal proliferation, cellular network formation, and higher vascular pressure result in brain stiffening. In addition, brain viscosity has been reported to change with normal blood perfusion variability and brain maturation as well as disease conditions such as tumor invasion. In this article, the contributions of the neuronal, glial, extracellular, and vascular networks are discussed to the coarse-grained parameters determined by MRE. This reductionist multi-network model of brain mechanics helps to explain many MRE observations in terms of microanatomical changes and suggests that cerebral viscoelasticity is a suitable imaging marker for brain disease.

Mechanical and morphological characterization of the emphysematous lung tissue

Irreversible alveolar airspace enlargement is the main characteristic of pulmonary emphysema, which has been extensively studied using animal models. While the alterations in lung mechanics associated with these morphological changes have been documented in the literature, the study of the mechanical behavior of parenchymal tissue from emphysematous lungs has been poorly investigated. In this work, we characterize the mechanical and morphological properties of lung tissue in elastase-induced emphysema rat models under varying severity conditions. We analyze the non-linear tissue behavior using suitable hyperelastic constitutive models that enable to compare different non-linear responses in terms of hyperelastic material parameters. We further analyze the effect of the elastase dose on alveolar morphology and tissue material parameters and study their connection with respiratory-system mechanical parameters. Our results show that while the lung mechanical function is not significantly influenced by the elastase treatment, the tissue mechanical behavior and alveolar morphology are markedly affected by it. We further show a strong association between alveolar enlargement and tissue softening, not evidenced by respiratory-system compliance. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding tissue mechanics in emphysematous lungs, as changes in tissue properties could detect the early stages of emphysema remodeling. Statement of significanceGas exchange is vital for life and strongly relies on the mechanical function of the lungs. Pulmonary emphysema is a prevalent respiratory disease where alveolar walls are damaged, causing alveolar enlargement that induces harmful changes in the mechanical response of the lungs. In this work, we study how the mechanical properties of lung tissue change during emphysema. Our results from animal models show that tissue properties are more sensitive to alveolar enlargement due to emphysema than other mechanical properties that describe the function of the whole respiratory system.

Varied Attributes of Jalapeño Pepper Cultivars Influence Fresh-cut Product Quality

During the past 40 years, the US fresh-cut product market has experienced a consistent increase in demand because consumers prioritize health and convenience. Increased interest in fresh-cut products and ready-to-eat vegetables has led to innovations in breeding, product selection, and packaging. However, despite the increased popularity of bell pepper and chile pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), research of fresh-cut jalapeño pepper is limited. This study was conducted to identify jalapeño cultivars that could be suitable as a raw fresh-cut product and explore measures beyond tissue membrane electrolyte leakage (EL) of processed products that may be useful for the identification of cultivars suitable for fresh-cut applications. A total of 22 fresh-cut parameters were examined across five cultivars of jalapeño peppers and 10 intercrosses of these cultivars, including visual quality based on an image analysis via a computer vision system, package headspace gas composition, tissue membrane EL, and texture. Based on our results, the genotypes were grouped into five clusters using a cluster analysis. Variables including tissue softening (r2 = 0.95), EL (r2 = 0.95), total energy of the mesocarp (r2 = 0.95), and package headspace carbon dioxide (CO2) partial pressure (r2 = 0.94) had strong associations with the cluster. A principal component analysis with biplots further confirmed the results. Cultivars Goliath and Emerald Fire and their hybrids in the first and second clusters showed good quality for fresh-cut applications. The fifth cluster, represented by a single cultivar, Jalapeño M, had the smallest physical size, rapid shelf-life decline, accumulated CO2 partial pressures, increased EL, and rapid tissue softening in comparison with the other genotypes. All jalapeño cultivars except Jalapeño M maintained good quality until day 14 postprocessing, and some maintained good quality until 21 days postprocessing. Hybrid crosses suggested that two of the cultivars evaluated, Goliath and Emerald Fire, were useful as parents when transferring superior fresh-cut quality traits to progeny. Traditionally, the EL level has been used as an index of freshness (or tissue deterioration). Our results showed that other quality analyses, including measurements of tissue softening via an imaging analysis, and physical analyses of tissue firmness can also be used as indices for the freshness of fresh-cut jalapeños. The results suggest that fruit size, wall thickness, and skin toughness might be useful as predictive measures in the field for the selection of jalapeño genotypes with superior fresh-cut quality.

Metal-organic frameworks-based moisture responsive essential oil hydrogel beads for fresh-cut pineapple preservation

The preservation of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables has attracted attention to the shelf-life reduction caused by high humidity. Herein, alginate/copper ions cross-linking, in-situ growth and self-assembly techniques of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were utilized to prepare a moisture responsive hydrogel bead (HKUST-1@ALG). As the multistage porous structure formation, tea tree essential oil (TTO) load capacity in hydrogel bead (TTO-HKUST-1@ALG) was increased from 6.1% to 21.6%. TTO-HKUST-1@ALG had excellent moisture response performance, and the release rates of TTO increased from 33.89% to 70.98% with moisture increasing from 45% to 95%. Besides, TTO-HKUST-1@ALG exhibited excellent antimicrobial, antioxidant capacity, and biocompatibility. During storage, TTO-HKUST-1@ALG effectively improved the cell membrane integrity by maintaining the balance of reactive oxygen species metabolism. The degradation of cell wall structure and tissue softening were delayed by inhibiting the cell wall-degrading enzymes activity. Briefly, TTO-HKUST-1@ALG improved the storage quality and extended shelf-life of fresh-cut pineapple, which was a promising preservative.

Fascin-1 limits myosin activity in microglia to control mechanical characterization of the injured spinal cord

BackgroundMechanical softening of the glial scar region regulates axonal regeneration to impede neurological recovery in central nervous system (CNS) injury. Microglia, a crucial cellular component of the glial scar, facilitate neuronal survival and neurological recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the critical mechanical characterization of injured spinal cord that harmonizes neuroprotective function of microglia remains poorly understood.MethodsSpinal cord tissue stiffness was assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in a mouse model of crush injury. Pharmacological depletion of microglia using PLX5622 was used to explore the effect of microglia on mechanical characterization. Conditional knockout of Fascin-1 in microglia (Fascin-1 CKO) alone or in combination with inhibition of myosin activity was performed to delve into relevant mechanisms of microglia regulating mechanical signal. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate the related protein levels, inflammatory cells, and neuron survival after SCI. The Basso mouse scale score was calculated to assess functional recovery.ResultsSpinal cord tissue significantly softens after SCI. Microglia depletion or Fascin-1 knockout in microglia limits tissue softening and alters mechanical characterization, which leads to increased tissue pathology and impaired functional recovery. Mechanistically, Fascin-1 inhibits myosin activation to promote microglial migration and control mechanical characterization after SCI.ConclusionsWe reveal that Fascin-1 limits myosin activity to regulate mechanical characterization after SCI, and this mechanical signal should be considered in future approaches for the treatment of CNS diseases.

Combination of pure oxygen pretreatment and near‐freezing temperature storage inhibits browning, maintains antioxidant and physicochemical quality of fresh‐cut nectarines

AbstractFresh‐cut fruits were convenient for consumers but vulnerable to quality deterioration, including browning, softening, and volatile aroma loss. In this study, the whole nectarines were pretreated with 100% O2 (pure oxygen, PO) for 2 h and stored at near‐freezing temperature (NFT, −1.5 ± 0.1°C) for 9 days after cutting. We investigated the changes of samples in browning degree, enzyme activity, cell membrane permeability, antioxidant activity, and aroma components. Specifically, PO pretreatment increased the peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) activities, which endows the whole nectarines with resistance to environmental stresses before fresh‐cut. NFT storage effectively inhibited the activity of the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and the increase of the total phenolic content (TPC). Higher antioxidant levels and anti‐browning effects were observed in fresh‐cut nectarines treated with PO + NFT, which demonstrated by higher levels of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging capacity, ferricion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and enzyme activity ratios (ratio 1 and ratio 2). During the storage of 9 days, the firmness and membrane permeability were preserved, malondialdehyde (MDA) content was suppressed, which delayed the softening of nectarine tissue. Furthermore, soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acid (TA) were also well preserved by PO + NFT, which maintained the physiological and metabolic qualities. Electronic nose tests revealed that PO + NFT postponed the volatile aroma deterioration. In conclusion, PO + NFT effectively maintains the storage quality of fresh‐cut nectarines.

Ultrasound pretreatment enhances moisture migration and drying quality of mulberry via microstructure and cell-wall polysaccharides nanostructure modification

The effects of ultrasound pretreatment (20 kHz, 30 W/L) on mulberries' texture, microstructure, characteristics of cell-wall polysaccharides, moisture migration, and drying quality were investigated over exposure times ranging from 15 to 45 min. Ultrasound induced softening of mulberry tissue, accompanied by an increase in water-soluble pectin and a decrease in chelate-soluble pectin and Na2CO3-soluble pectin concentrations. Noticeable depolymerization of the pectin nanostructure was observed in the pretreated mulberries, along with a decrease in molecular weight, attributed to side-chain structure cleavage. Ultrasound loosened the cell wall structure, increased free water content and freedom, thereby reducing water diffusion resistance. Ultrasound pretreatment reduced drying time by 11.2 % to 23.3 % at various processing times compared to controls. Due to significantly enhanced drying efficiency, the optimal pretreatment time (30 min) yielded dried mulberries with higher levels of total phenolics and total anthocyanins, along with an increased antioxidant capacity. The results of this study provide insights into the mechanisms by which ultrasound pretreatment can effectively enhance the mulberry drying process.

Deciphering bacterial community structure in Cola lepidota (K.) Schum fruits using Illumina next-generation sequencing

Cola lepidota cultivation is hampered by pathogenic microorganisms which affect the quality and quantity of produce after harvest. Bacterial organisms cause softening of tissues which may lead to the spoilage of the whole fruit. This study aimed to detect the bacterial organisms and the bacterial community structure associated with monkey cola (Cola lepidota K. Schum) fruits using Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS). Amplification of the v4 regions of the 16S rDNA gene was performed through Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primers, 515F and 806R. Picking of the Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) and assignment of the OTUs into different taxonomic levels were performed on GREENGENES database. The most abundant phyla obtained from Cola lepidota mesocarp and seeds were Proteobacteria (40.83 %), Bacteroidetes (31.01 %) and Firmicutes (24.52 %). The abundance of Bacteroides, which was the predominant genus in the majority of the samples, was between 31 and 72 % among the total bacteria identified in most samples. Other relatively high abundant genera obtained across the total bacterial community of C. lepidota were Pseudomonas (19.20 %), Tepidimonas (13.76 %) and Acinetobacter (13.33 %). We obtained potentially beneficial, human and phytopathogenic microorganisms which play important roles in evolutionary and ecological processes. Among these genera include Acinetobacter and Staphylococcus which are opportunistic human pathogens. This study revealed the bacterial organisms associated with monkey cola fruits and indicates that Illumina next generation sequencing can be used to determine the bacterial community structure and bacterial organisms in fruits.

Ohmic cooking of carrots: Limitations in the use of power input and cooking value for process characterization

Ohmic cooking is considered a fast and homogeneous process. However, achieving heating uniformity depends on several process parameters and intrinsic product characteristics. Furthermore, reference indicators for evaluating the ohmic process and generating reliable comparisons with conventional cooking are still lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the reliability of the use of power input and cooking value as process indicators. The results showed that the specific ohmic power did affect only the heating rate but not the heating uniformity and the tissue softening rate. Therefore, the power input as process acceleration tool is not sufficient as stand-alone process indicator because other critical parameters (i.e., electrical conductivity) need to be taken into account to display the complex product-process-interactions. The cooking value was proven to be not valid as indicator for ohmic heating, as it does not take into account additional effects not attributable to only thermal exposure.

Il1r2 and Tnfrsf12a in transcranial magnetic stimulation effect of ischemic stroke via bioinformatics analysis.

Ischemic stroke refers to ischemic necrosis or softening of localized brain tissue. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a painless, noninvasive and green treatment method, which acts on the central nervous system through a pulsed magnetic field to assist in the treatment of central nervous system injury diseases. However, the role of Il1r2 and Tnfrsf12a in this is unknown. The ischemic stroke datasets GSE81302 and TMS datasets GSE230148 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed. The construction and analysis of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and functional enrichment analysis were performed. Draw heat map gene expression. Through the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) to find the most relevant and core gene diseases. TargetScan was used to screen miRNAs regulating DEGs. A total of 39 DEGs were identified. According to gene ontology (GO) analysis results, in biological process (BP) analysis, they were mainly enriched in the positive regulation of apoptosis process, inflammatory response, positive regulation of p38MAPK cascade, and regulation of cell cycle. In cellular component (CC) analysis, they were mainly enriched in the cell surface, cytoplasm, and extracellular space. In Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, they were mainly enriched in nf-κB signaling pathway, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, P53 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and apoptosis. Among the enrichment items of metascape, negative regulation of T cell activation, hematopoietic cell lineage, positive regulation of apoptotic process, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis were observed in GO enrichment items. Five core genes (Socs3, Irf1, Il1r2, Ccr1, and Tnfrsf12a) were obtained, which were highly expressed in ischemic stroke samples. Il1r2 and Tnfrsf12a were lowly expressed in TMS samples. CTD analysis found that the core gene (Socs3, Irf1 and Il1r2, Ccr1, Tnfrsf12a) and ischemic stroke, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, stroke, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and inflammation. Il1r2 and Tnfrsf12a are highly expressed in ischemic stroke, but lowly expressed in TMS samples.

Influence of organic acids on organoleptic and structural and mechanical properties of freshwater hydrobiont meat

Research on the use of organic acids in freshwater fish conservation in aquaculture farms is gaining importance due to the growing interest in the quality and safety of fish products. The purpose of the study was to create and substantiate a new technology for preserving freshwater fish with the addition of spicy root vegetables, and in pretreatment of raw materials with organic acids. During the study, carp were treated with salt and various concentrations of organic acids, stored under certain temperature conditions. Sensory assessment, pH, and shear boundary stress were used to evaluate the results, and chemical analysis was performed using a penetrometer and potentiometric method. Based on the findings, a scientifically based technology for preserving freshwater fish with the addition of spicy root vegetables with a fundamentally new method of treatment of raw materials with organic acids has been developed to expand the scope of application of fish products that will have a higher biological value. It was found that at the initial stages of processing, no noticeable organoleptic changes were observed in the samples under study. Comparative analysis of the results confirmed the positive effect of acetic acid at a concentration of 1.0%, for tartaric acid, the best effect was determined with the addition of 0.5-1.0%, and for citric acid, the study indicates that its use does not lead to softening of muscle tissue, indicating the feasibility of its use. Studies have confirmed the use of pretreatment of semi-finished products of salted carp treated with 1.0-1.5% malic acid for 60 minutes to obtain a tender, juicy, and soft consistency, which corresponds to 5 points in the sensory assessment. According to the results of the conducted studies, the positive effect of using organic acids to soften carp meat in the production of preserves from freshwater fish was established. The practical significance of the study is to improve the technologies of meat processing and food production, and to determine the optimal conditions for preserving the taste and texture qualities of meat products

An easy-to-clean nanofiber coating containing zanthoxylum bungeanum essential oil/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex for the preservation of mangoes

This work aimed to investigat the properties of an antioxidant nanofiber coating incorporating zanthoxylum bungeanum essential oil and its function in the preservation of mangoes. Results showed that with the increase of zanthoxylum bungeanum essential oil-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (ZBEO-β-CD-IC) content in the nanofiber coating, the porosity, water vapor permeability, and oxygen permeability of the coating decreased, but the antioxidant activities increased. During storage, the increase of ZBEO-β-CD-IC content in the coating decreased weight loss and the respiration rate, and delayed the softening of tissue and yellowing of peel color. On the twelfth day, as the ZBEO-β-CD-IC content in the coating increased, the contents of flavonoids, total phenols, and ascorbic acid in mangoes increased from 2.36 × 10−2 to 2.87 × 10−2 g kg−1, 23.76 × 10−2 to 28.06 × 10−2 g kg−1, and 24.20 × 10−2 to 39.38 × 10−2 g kg−1, respectively. Hydrogen peroxide content, superoxide anion rate, and malondialdehyde content decreased from 4.62 to 2.98 mmol kg−1, 0.53 to 0.36 μmol min−1 kg−1, and 8.22 to 6.24 μmol kg−1, respectively. The activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase were also inhibited after mangoes were coated in nanofibers containing ZBEO-β-CD-IC.

Formation of flavor compositions of vegetable casseroles using carbohydrate-fat fillers

The purpose of the research is to evaluate flavor compositions formed during the action of high temperatures on individual processes of the technological scheme for the production of vegetable semi-finished products and complex interaction in the structure of the finished product, taking into account the use of carbohydrate-protein fillers. The research presents some features of the flow of physicochemical reactions that make it possible to describe the dynamics of the interaction of nutrients in the formed binary compositions of carbohydrate-fat structures of plant systems in the process of temperature exposure. The methods used. To carry out the tests, the potentiometric method was used and the pH of each sample was determined using the Expert-001-3pH device. Determinations of sugars were carried out according to GOST 8756.13-87 using the permanganate method; dry substances according to GOST 31640-2012; organoleptic assessment according to GOST ISO 6658–2015. The objects: samples of semi-finished products containing 12, 24, 36% carrots and 4, 8, 12% onions. The results. It has been established that sauteing treatment promotes the formation of a complex of flavoring and aromatic substances, depending on the type of vegetables. With increasing intensity of processing, the concentration of carbohydrates in the sautes increases, as well as the amount of dry matter. It has been found that in all samples the amount of organic acids increases with increasing temperature, pH decreases in carrots from 6.0-6.3; 5.5-7.0 to 4.2-5.9, and onions from 5.5-6.1; 6.4-7.9 to 3.0-5.0. For clarity of experiments, graphs of the dependence of the processing intensity on the amount of dry substances, carbohydrates, tissue softening and the formation of the flavor and aromatic range have been presented. Conclusion. The experimental data and dependencies obtained will be useful when considering more complex processes of mass transfer, sucrose inversion, and destruction of protein-carotenoid complexes. The perception of raw carrots is complex: the balance between sweetness and bitterness, which are the main criteria for the sensory quality of carrots. It intensifies when sauteed. A richer sweet taste appears. This perception of sweetness is determined by the ratio: sugar and bitterness. It does not have a direct correlation with the total sugar content in samples with carrots and sautéed onions.

Active coating based on carboxymethyl cellulose and flaxseed mucilage, containing burdock extract, for fresh-cut and fried potatoes

An active coating made of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and flaxseed mucilage (FM) in equal amounts (1:1), along with various levels of nanoencapsulated burdock extract (NBE) ranging from 0 to 0.75 (g/g dry matter), was found to enhance the quality of fresh-cut potatoes (FCP) and fried potatoes (FP). Two groups of samples were treated: one was stored in a refrigerator (5 °C and 65% humidity) for 9 days, while the other was fried for 5 min at 170 °C. The FTIR analysis revealed physical contact between the nanocapsules and biopolymers without any new chemical bonding. During cold storage, the weight loss (from 1.23 to 3.56 to 2.84–10.54 g water/g product) and softening of FCP tissue were reduced. The antioxidant activity (AA) of FCP is maintained by preserving phenolic compounds and vitamin C. As the NBE level increased, the AA and the browning index in the samples increased (about 0.1 and 0.5 folds, respectively). For coated FP, the active coating helped to maintain moisture, reduced oil uptake and prevented the formation of acrylamide by about 0.63 folds. The overall findings demonstrated that the active coating made with FM and CMC, including 2 or 3 g NBE/g dry matter, can be utilized to improve fresh-cut potato quality and shelf life as well as assure the quality and safety of fried potatoes.

Effect of pre-cooling on the shelf-life and quality of formosa papaya.

Papaya is a climacteric fruit, rapidly ripening after harvesting due to ethylene production and increased respiratory rate. This swift ripening results in softening of fruit tissues, shortening the fruit shelf life. Pre-cooling serves as an alternative to minimize fruit ripening and post-harvest losses by reducing metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre-cooling on the quality and conservation of Formosa 'Tainung I' papaya. Papayas at maturation stage II were obtained from a commercial orchard with conventional production. The experimental design was a completely randomized 4×6 split-plot scheme, with pre-cooling treatments (Control, without pre-cooling treatment; pre-cooling at 15 °C in a cold chamber; pre-cooling at 7 °C in a cold chamber; and forced-air cooling at 7 °C) in the plot, and days of storage (0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days) in the subplot. Pre-cooling effectively delayed the ripening and senescence of Formosa papaya, reducing the loss of green color and firmness. Regardless of the treatment used, chilling injury and incidence of fungi from the genus Fusarium and Alternaria limited the shelf life of Formosa 'Tainung I' papaya up to 21 days of storage. Additionally, the appearance of hardened regions in the pulp compromised the sensory quality of the fruits, necessitating further investigation into the causes of this disorder.