Sous-vide Cooking Research Articles

Comparative elucidation on the phenolic fingerprint, sugars and antioxidant activity of white, orange and purple-fleshed sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L.) as affected by different cooking methods

In this study, three cooking methods (baking, boiling, sous vide (SV)) were applied to Turkish sweet potatoes with three flesh colors (white, orange, purple) to examine the effects of the product color and cooking methods on the total phenolics, antioxidant activity, sugars, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins. LC-MS-MS was employed in the characterization of these compounds. It was observed that the product color and cooking method significantly affected the concentrations of bioactive compounds like polyphenols. Both the highest total phenolic content (11.36 mg/g) and antioxidant activity (DPPH (50.3 μM TE/g) and ABTS (63.53 μM TE/g)) were determined in the purple sweet potato cooked with the SV method. 10 phenolic acids were quantified in all samples which were in the highest amounts in the orange colored samples followed by the purple samples. Baking resulted in the highest total phenolic acids in all samples. 13 anthocyanins were detected in the purple-colored samples, while the SV cooking best preserved the anthocyanins. In sum, purple sweet potatoes cooked by SV are recommended for higher phenolic contents, antioxidant capacity and anthocyanins.

Physicochemical Properties of Chicken Breast and Thigh as Affected by Sous-Vide Cooking Conditions

Sous-vide is a cooking method used to improve the tenderness and juiciness of chicken breast. However, the comparative changes in meat quality attributes of sous-vide cooked chicken breast and thigh muscles are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of sous-vide cooking conditions, based on collagen denaturation temperature of intramuscular connective tissue, on the physicochemical properties of chicken breasts and thighs. Chicken breast and thigh were cooked at four sous-vide cooking conditions (55 °C for 3/6 h and 65 °C for 3/6 h) and conventional cooking at 75 °C (core temperature of 71 °C) as control. No significant differences in pH and lightness were found between the sous-vide cooking conditions. Moisture content, cooking loss, protein solubility, shear force, myofibrillar fragmentation index, and lipid oxidation were affected by sous-vide cooking conditions (p < 0.05). The decreased shear force and total collagen content of 65 °C sous-vide cooking treatment might be associated with collagen denaturation (p < 0.05). Sous-vide cooking at 55 °C could decrease cooking loss, with higher moisture than sous-vide cooking at 65 °C (p < 0.05). These tendencies on water-holding capacity and shear force at the two different temperatures were similarly observed for both chicken breast and thigh. Therefore, this study indicates that chicken breast and thigh are similarly affected by the sous-vide cooking conditions and suggests that a novel strategy to apply together two temperature ranges based on the thermal denaturation of intramuscular connective tissue would be required.

A practiced nanobiotechnology approach with the scope of nutrition, food safety, dietetics, gastronomy, and sustainability for humans by fish meat and fish products preservation – A review

Abstract Fish is a unique source for human consumption and also the food industry. In this sense, different nanobiotechnology-based applications especially have been used for providing food safety, improving the taste and preferences of fish meat, keeping the nutritional components in fish meat for human consumption, and eliminating nutritional losses with cooking. Nanofibers, nanoparticles, nanoliposomes, and nanoemulsions are good candidates for preserving fish meat from microbial spoilage and oxidative deterioration. Nanoliposomes particularly fabricated with seaweeds have delayed (free fatty acid, peroxide value, etc.) the rapid undesired formation in fish meat or fish oil. Besides nanoliposome, being revealed that especially nanoparticles (from biopolymer) and nanoemulsions mostly obtained from citrus oils effectively delay the rapid oxidation in fish meat. Also with these applications, the nutritional quality of processed products has been protected. In this regard, it is reported that nanofiber applications integrated with sous-vide cooking or baking of fish meat like salmon meat samples effectively can protect against nutritional losses in fish meat. Probiotic bacteria such as L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri which are encapsulated in nanobiotechnology-based material can be successfully used both to preserve the meat and to improve the functional properties of raw or processed/cooked fish meat. These nanobiotechnological approaches improve food safety by limiting microbiological spoilage such as mesophilic and psychrophilic for fish meat samples. The mentioned nanopreservation approaches provide a better solution as compared with conventional methods with fewer materials usage in the food industry. Some studies also support that this is a cost-effective method, especially in terms of food additive usage in foods. Above all, these mentioned processes related to food nanobiotechnology can improve food safety, and limit nutritional losses due to cooking procedures, so this review suggests that the nanobiotechnology-based approaches can be a guiding role for further applications in the food industry.

Effect of sous-vide cooking conditions on the physicochemical, microbiological and microstructural properties of duck breast meat.

Sous-vide cooking offers several advantages for poultry meat, including enhanced tenderness, reduced cooking loss, and improved product yield. However, in duck meat, there are challenges associated with using the sous-vide method. The prolonged cooking time at low temperatures can lead to unstable microbial and oxidative stabilities. Thus, we aimed to assess how varying sous-vide cooking temperatures and durations affect the physicochemical and microbial characteristics of duck breast meat, with the goal of identifying an optimal cooking condition. Duck breast meat (Anas platyrhynchos) aged 42 days and with an average weight of 1,400±50 g, underwent cooking under various conditions (ranging from 50°C to 80°C) for either 60 or 180 min. Then, physicochemical, microbial, and microstructural properties of the cooked duck breast meat were assessed. Different cooking conditions affected the quality attributes of the meat. The cooking loss, lightness, yellowness, Hue angle, whiteness, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values of the duck breast meat increased with the increase in cooking temperature and time. In contrast, the redness and chroma values decreased with the increase in cooking temperature and time. Cooking of samples higher than 60°C increased the volatile basic nitrogen contents and TBARS. Microbial analysis revealed the presence of Escherichia coli and Coliform only in the samples cooked at 50°C and raw meat. Cooking at lower temperature and shorter time increased the tenderness of the meat. Microstructure analysis showed that the contraction of myofibrils and meat density increased upon increasing the cooking temperature and time. Our data indicate that the optimal sous-vide method for duck breast meat was cooking at 60°C for 60 min. This temperature and time conditions showed good texture properties and microbial stability, and low level of TBARS of the duck breast meat.

Enhancement of safety and quality of ready-to-cook Asian green mussel using acidic electrolyzed water depuration in combination with sous vide cooking

Emerging technologies were combined to ensure the safety for consumers of Asian green mussel (AGM; Perna viridis). The combination of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) depuration and sous vide cooking effectively reduced Vibrios while maintaining the quality of mussel. The use of AEW depuration combined with sous vide cooking at 100 °C for 1 min (D/SV-1) provided the yield of mussel meat of 27.22%, maintained the color, and texture properties. It could prevent the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and caused no changes in patterns of main proteins including paramyosin, actin and tropomyosin. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus and Shewanella algae in AGM without treatment were 4.12, 3.00 and 3.30 log10 CFU/g, respectively. Those bacterial species were confirmed by MALDI Biotyper® technique. They were potentially inactivated by the selected process. In addition, the next generation sequencing (NGS) based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed a low percentage of V. vulnificus genome (2.72%) and the complete elimination of other naturally existing Vibrios. Overall, AEW depuration of raw mussels, followed by sous vide cooking could be a promising method for the production of safe ready-to-cook Asian green mussels for consumption. Industry relevanceCommon Asian green mussel (AGM; Perna viridis) may represent a risk for public health associated with pathogenic bacteria originating from the aquatic environment. It also deteriorates rapidly within 1–2 days because of its perishable nature, thus losing its market value. To tackle such problems, appropriate pretreatment using acidic electrolyzed water depuration, followed by sous vide cooking under proper conditions could be implemented for safety assurance of ready-to-cook AGM by eliminating both pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Also, the eating quality could be maintained. As a consequence, the technology developed in the present study could offer an effective solution for ensuring customer safety without compromising eating quality. It could be commercially employed for seafood processing industry, especially for bivalve mollusks, e.g., mussels, scallops, and clams.

The Impact of Culinary Processing, including Sous-Vide, on Polyphenols, Vitamin C Content and Antioxidant Status in Selected Vegetables-Methods and Results: A Critical Review.

This study presents various research methods and results analysis of the total antioxidant status (TAS), polyphenols content (PC) and vitamin C content in selected plant materials (vegetables) subjected to various technological processes, including sous-vide. The analysis included 22 vegetables (cauliflower white rose, romanesco type cauliflower, broccoli, grelo, col cabdell cv. pastoret, col lllombarda cv. pastoret, brussels sprouts, kale cv. crispa-leaves, kale cv. crispa-stem, toscana black cabbage, artichokes, green beans, asparagus, pumpkin, green peas, carrot, root parsley, brown teff, white teff, white cardoon stalks, red cardoon stalks and spinach) from 18 research papers published in 2017 to 2022. The results after processing by various methods such as conventional, steaming and sous-vide cooking were compared to the raw vegetable results. The antioxidant status was mainly determined by the radical DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods, the polyphenol content by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and the vitamin C content using dichlorophenolindophenol and liquid chromatography methods. The study results were very diverse, but in most studies, the cooking techniques contributed to reducing TAS, PC and vitamin C content, with the sous-vide process being most beneficial. However, future studies should focus on vegetables for which discrepancies in the results were noted depending on the author, as well as lack of clarity regarding the analytical methods used, e.g., cauliflower white rose or broccoli.

Process optimization and evaluation of the effects of different time-temperature sous vide cooking on physicochemical, textural, and sensory characteristics of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeusvannamei)

The objective of the current study was to optimize the cook-chill conditions of high-value whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) processed using the sous vide (SV) technique and to assess the effects of various time-temperature combinations on the physicochemical, textural, and sensory qualities. For optimization, a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach utilizing a Central Composite Design (CCD) was adopted. Optimum SV cooking conditions to acquire minimum texture (hardness) of 7235 g was 13.48 min and 81.87 °C, expressible moisture of 18.48% was 14.5 min and 84.5 °C, and cook loss of 5.58% was 5 min and 75 °C. Texture (hardness) and expressible moisture decreased while cooking loss increased with increasing time-temperature treatment. Redness and yellowness values increased (p < 0.05) with increasing SV cooking time-temperature, but lightness values were nearly consistent in all treatments. With increasing time and temperature, TBARs and total carotenoid content increased (p < 0.05). However, the TBARs values were within accepted limits and ranged from 0.05 to 0.08 mg malonaldehyde/kg. Sensory evaluation indicated that all SV cooked samples were well accepted, with overall scores ≥7. These results suggest that the SV cooking temperature and time had a substantial impact on the textural, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of shrimp. In addition, increasing time-temperature increased cooking and moisture loss, but decreased hardness and higher sensory scores made the product more acceptable to consumers.

Effects of Phosphate and Two-Stage Sous-Vide Cooking on Textural Properties of the Beef Semitendinosus.

Comparing the effects of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) concentrations of 0.2% and 0.4% on beef semitendinosus is the objective of the current investigation. The samples were cooked at varied temperatures (45+60°C and 45+70°C) and times (1.5+1.5 h and 3+3 h) using staged cooking. The colour properties, cooking loss, water retention, shear force, water-holding capacity, sarcoplasmic, and myofibrillar solubility, and total collagen were investigated. The cooking time and temperature affected the water-holding capacity, cooking loss, CIE L*, CIE a*, CIE b*, myofibrillar, and sarcoplasmic solubility, with lower temperature and short time having the lower detrimental effect. However, the significant effect can be intensified after the addition of STPP with higher water-holding capacity and tender meat obtained with 0.4% phosphate concentration at any cooking conditions. The STPP lowered the collagen content and increased the protein solubility of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic, which this degradation is used as a good indicator of tenderness.

Optimizing the Effects of Nisin and NaCl to Thermal Inactivate Listeria monocytogenes in Ground Beef with Chipotle Sauce During Sous-vide Processing

Mild cooking thermal treatments, like sous-vide, can compromise ground meat entrees such as meatballs with chipotle sauce, especially when salt levels are reduced during its preparation. Listeria monocytogenes is a thermoresistant pathogen that can be in ready-to-eat food. On the other hand, nisin, due to its thermal stability, can be a good alternative to aid on the thermal inactivation of L. monocytogenes and ensure meat safety. The objective was to optimize the amount of nisin and salt concentrations to thermally inactivate L. monocytogenes during the sous-vide cooking of ground beef marinated in chipotle sauce, and to generate a predictive model. A four-strain cocktail was prepared and inoculated in ground beef in combination (3:2) with chipotle sauce added with nisin (0–150 IU) and salt (0–2%). After that, meat samples were sous-vide cooked at different temperatures, nisin, and salt concentrations, established by a central composite design. Depending on the levels of these factors, D-values ranged from 49.71 to 0.27 min. A predictive model (p < 0.05) was obtained by response surface, which described that D-values variation was explained by the linear effects of the three factors, the interaction between nisin and temperature, and the quadratic effects of salt and temperature. It was also observed that nisin presented a bactericidal effect while salt presented a protective effect during the thermal inactivation of L. monocytogenes. Adding 120 IU of nisin and 0.4% of salt to the meat product at 63°C temperature can help to ensure food safety by making L. monocytogenes cells more sensitive to the lethal effect of heat. The model developed in this study can be used by food processors for planning and designing effective levels of salt and nisin to thermally inactivate L. monocytogenes in ground beef products marinated with chipotle sauce to ensure their safety.

The Effect of Sous-Vide Processing Time on Chemical and Sensory Properties of Broccoli, Green Beans and Beetroots

Vegetables are a natural source of bioactive compounds, however, their content is strongly affected by the preparation methods. The study aimed to find the balance between high health-promoting properties, resulting from well-retained minerals content, and sensory properties by testing different times of sous-vide cooking of vegetables at 85 °C. For each vegetable, broccoli, green beans and beetroots, three times options of sous-vide treatment were individually applied. No effect of sous-vide cooking on dry matter content was found for tested vegetables, with the exception of dry mass loss of beetroots cooked for 180 min. The results of potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus determination, confirmed that the sous-vide technique often allows for the retention of these minerals at a level not lower than in raw vegetables. For both broccoli and beetroots, it was observed that the longer the sous-vide processing time, the lower the color intensity, and in the case of each tested vegetable, the worse the consistency. Therefore, the study proves that this method of heat treatment reduces the loss of minerals and preserves the desired color of studied vegetables.

A possible systematic culinary approach for spent duck meat: sous-vide cuisine and its optimal cooking condition

This study offered a possible systematic culinary approach to spent-laying ducks. Breast meat is suitable for processing due to its amount and completeness. Sous-vide cooking resulted in lower cooking loss than poaching, pan-frying (P < 0.05), and roasting. The sous-vide duck breast had higher gumminess, chewiness, and resilience than other culinary techniques (P < 0.05). Sous-vide cooking at 65°C had a lower cooking loss than 70°C (P < 0.05), and less than 1.5-h sous-vide could keep a lower cooking loss and WB shear value (P < 0.05) as the cooking period extended, the smaller (P < 0.05) quantity of myosin heavy chain and the destroyed sarcomere arrangement were observed. A condition at 65°C for 1.5 h could be the optimal sous-vide cuisine for spent-laying duck breast. These sous-vide products stored at 4°C were still safe for consumption due to no detectible microorganisms and unchangeable physicochemical properties within 7 d.

Influence of temperature and time in sous-vide cooking on physicochemical and sensory parameters of beef shank cuts

Sous-vide is an appropriate technique to be used in cuts of meat such as beef shank, which are inexpensive and unappetizing due to their low tenderness. In the present work, time (2, 5, 8, 12, and 24 h) and temperature (55, 65, and 75 °C) combinations were applied to the beef shank cut for sous-vide cooking. Its influence on physicochemical and sensory parameters was studied and compared with a reference meat cut (loin) cooked for 5 h at 65 °C. The results show that at higher temperatures and time-cooking, sous-vide reaches a greater tenderness on beef shank cuts, but with juiciness loss. Therefore, a compromise between these two parameters must be reached. A sous-vide treatment at 55 °C for 24 h resulted in meat with microbioal safety and an instrumental texture, tenderness, stringiness, chewiness, juiciness, and sensory color like loin which is the reference cut.

Investigating the Effect of Various Sous-Vide Cooking Conditions on Protein Structure and Texture Characteristics of Tilapia Fillet Using Synchrotron Radiation-Based FTIR.

The effects of various sous-vide (SV) cooking conditions (50-60℃, 30-60 min) on physicochemical properties related to the texture characteristics, protein structure/degradation, and sensory acceptability of tilapia fillet (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated. With an increasing temperature and processing time of SV cooking, protein degradation (of both myofibrils and connective tissue) was more pronounced, as evaluated by the decrease in water- and salt-soluble proteins, total collagen, as well as the changes in the ratio of secondary protein structures (α-helix, β-sheet, β-turn, etc.), which were determined by synchrotron-FTIR (SR-FTIR). These degradations were associated with the improvement of meat tenderness, as estimated by shear force and texture profile analyzer (TPA) results. Among all SV conditions, using 60 ℃ for 45 min seems to be the optimal condition for tilapia meat, since it delivered the best results for texture characteristics and acceptability (p < 0.05). Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) results clearly demonstrated that the highest texture-liking score of this condition was well associated with the intensity of β-sheets, which seem to be the crucial component that affected the texture of SV-cooked tilapia more so than other parameters. The findings demonstrated the potential of SR-FTIR to decipher the biomolecular structure, particularly the secondary protein structure, of SV-cooked tilapia. This technique provided essential information for a better understanding of the changes in biomolecules related to the textural characteristics of this product.

The effects of deep-frying, microwave, oven and sous vide cooking on the acrylamide formation of gluten-free chicken nuggets

Chicken nuggets have been formulated with different gluten-free flours such as amaranth, chia, quinoa, and tef flour. This study aimed to determine the impact of traditional (deep-frying, DF and oven, OC) and new emerging (microwave, MW and sous vide, SV) cooking techniques on the formation of acrylamide and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in chicken nuggets. Colour, pH, fat and water activity (aw) values of chicken nuggets were also investigated. Cooking with different methods resulted in the same colour and pH values. aw values of SV-cooked samples were higher than for other methods. The highest acrylamide and HMF levels were observed in the formulation material of the tef, reaching concentrations of up to 48.46 ng/g and 25.56 mg/kg, respectively, when tef nuggets were cooked with DF. Usage of chia flour reduced the acrylamide content. Acrylamide could not be detected in chicken nuggets cooked with SV.

A Comparative Study of Microwave and Sous-Vide Cooking Effects on Pikeperch Fillets’ Fatty Acid Composition and Quality Attributes

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of microwave and sous-vide cooking on chemical composition, including fatty acid composition, colour, and microbial and eating quality of fillets produced from wild-living pikeperch. Skinned fillets were sous-vide (SV)-cooked at 65 °C for 40 min. or cooked in a microwave oven (M) at 539 W for 3 min. Generally, cooking decreased moisture and increased protein contents in SV and M, and increased fat content in SV. Cooking increased lightness and yellowness while decreasing redness of fillets, but there were no differences between SV and M. SV fillets showed a significantly higher cooking loss than M samples. SV and M samples showed a similarly high sensory and microbial quality, although microwave cooking was more effective in total viable bacteria counts reduction. Similar fatty acid proportions and concentrations were noted in M and SV fillets, suggesting that both methods preserved well fatty acids in pikeperch meat tissue.

Studying an effect of thermal treatment methods on physico-chemical properties of beef depending on aging technology

Modern methods for aging and thermal treatment facilitate an improvement in beef sensory properties. The aim of the research was to study an effect of different types of thermal treatment on quality of steaks from dry-aged beef. Steaks were obtained from the rib cut from carcasses of grain-fed young bulls; aging duration was 35 days (temperature 0–1 ºС, air relative humidity 74–75%). Aging duration in the control sample was five days (temperature 0–4 ºС, air relative humidity 80–85%). The methods for thermal treatment were as follows: sous vide cooking at 58 ºС, grill heating at 250 ºС, sous vide cooking in combination with grill treatment. During processing, the following parameters were controlled: weight loss by the direct method, hydrophobicity of myofibrillar proteins by the reaction with bromophenol blue, soluble collagen by the method of acid hydrolysis with determination of oxyproline, mass fraction of moisture and fat by the method from one analytical unit, sensory properties by the reference method. According to the data obtained, minimal losses (6.8%) were noticed upon sous vide cooking of dry-aged beef steaks. In combined heating and dry heating on grill, they increased by 6.1% and 12%. More significant weight losses were observed in beef steaks with aging time of five days upon any tested treatment types. For dry-aged beef steaks treated by sous vide and combined heating, a higher content of soluble collagen compared to other samples was established. The results of measuring mass fraction of moisture and fat indicate an increase in the nutritional value of dry-aged beef steaks. According to the total data obtained with consideration for the results of sensory evaluation, dry-aged beef steaks subjected to sous vide cooking with the following short-term dry heating on grill have higher quality.

Combined Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure, Sous-Vide Cooking, and Carvacrol on the Quality of Veal, Plant-Based, and Hybrid Patties during Storage.

The effect of carvacrol added to patties stored at 4 °C for 14 days, previously pressurized and vacuum-cooked (HPP-SVCOOK), was investigated. Three formulations were prepared (veal, plant-based product, and hybrid product). An emulsion made with olive and linseed oils was added. The physicochemical and microbiological qualities were assessed. Microbial tests indicated negligible growth of spoilage organisms in treated patties. No significant effect of carvacrol on the microbial loads of patties was noticed. Sulfite-reducing clostridia and Enterobacteriaceae were absent in the treated patties, whereas, in the treated veal and hybrid samples, 3 and 2 units of log cfu/g reduction for lactic acid bacteria and molds and yeasts were noted, respectively. On day 7 of storage, veal patties exhibited a significant reduction (p &lt; 0.05) in the L* (53.9-49.3), hardness (32.3-21.4 N), springiness (0.8-0.7 N), cohesiveness (0.49-0.46), and chewiness (12.2-7.1) and a hike in the a* value (5.3-9.4). No significant changes in L* (59.1-58.6), a* (8.57-8.61), hardness (11.6-10.6 N), or cohesiveness (0.27-0.26) were observed in plant-based patties over the storage times, whereas reductions in springiness (0.5-0.4), chewiness (1.9-1.3), and b* (26.6-29.1) were noted in them. In hybrid patties, the L* (53.9-52.5) and b* values (24.9-24.3) were consistent but had a significant decrease in a* value (5.9-3.5) along the days of storage under study. The texture parameters of the hybrid patties altered were similar to those of veal patties during the 14-day storage time. In all samples, pH decreased with storage time. HPP-SVCOOK was effective on rendering safe and shelf-stable, ready-to-eat patties regardless of their matrix formulation. The addition of carvacrol had limited effects on the textural qualities of the HPP-SVCOOK products. Future studies need to be undertaken to assess the treated patties' consumer acceptability and sensory profile. The study provides the basis for the development of novel meat-based and plant-based products that are microbiologically safe, with minimum physicochemical alterations during storage.

Determination of African swine fever virus viability in meat during long-term storage and sous-vide cooking using cell culture and real-time PCR combined with palladium compound pre-treatment methods

African swine fever virus is the causative agent of an acute and highly contagious disease affecting domestic and wild members of the family Suidae. The virus can be transmitted by direct contact among infected animals or via a contaminated environment or feed. Since the contaminated meat or products thereof have been characterised as the most probable vehicle in several outbreaks, the aim of the present study was to define viability of the virus in meat under conditions of freezing and chilling (−25 °C and 6 °C) and low temperature cooking (55 °C for 2.5 h and for 1 h). Two independent methods were employed; cell culture as a reference and real-time polymerase chain reaction combined with palladium compound (BB-PdCl2 and PdCl2COD) pre-treatment as an alternative method. Obtained results demonstrated a minimal decrease in the infectious virus titre during storage at −25 °C, and a remaining amount of viruses in meat stored at 6 °C for 14 months that can cause a disease after ingestion. The results obtained by both methods applied on the samples corresponded to each other. In contrast, results related to the virus’ persistence in thermal-treated meat indicated much lower stability than previously thought; infectious viruses were not detected by infectivity assay after the treatment at 55 °C for 1 h. The observed difference of one order of magnitude of virus detected using palladium compound pre-treatment suggests presence of intact rather than infectious viruses. A better suitability of PdCl2COD compared to BB-PdCl2 pre-treatment was demonstrated.

Sous-vide cooking as a practical strategy to improve quality attributes and shelf stability of reduced-salt chicken breast ham

The objective of this study was to evaluate the general quality attributes and shelf stability of reduced-salt and sous-vide cooked chicken breast hams during 4 weeks of refrigerated storage (4°C). Four treatment groups of chicken breast ham were prepared using a 2 (salt level, 1.5% NaCl (regular) and 0.75% (reduced))×2 (cooking method, conventional and sous-vide) factorial arrangement. Based on each chicken breast weight, 20% NaCl solution was injected. Conventional cooking was done at 80°C until the core temperature reached 71°C, whereas sous-vide cooking was conducted at 60°C for 2 h. Sous-vide cooking could decrease cooking loss and shear force of reduced-salt chicken breast ham (P < 0.05). As a result, sensory scores for juiciness and tenderness of reduced-salt and sous-vide cooked chicken breast ham were similar to those of regular-salt and conventionally cooked chicken breast hams (P > 0.05). No adverse impacts on lipid oxidation and microbial safety were found in reduced-salt and sous-vide cooked chicken breast ham during 4 wk of refrigerated storage. Therefore, this study suggests that sous-vide cooking could be a practical thermal process for improving the water-holding capacity and texture of chicken breast ham without adverse impacts on shelf stability. Further studies on the combined application of sous-vide cooking with salt replacers would be warranted to improve the sensorial acceptance of saltiness of sous-vide cooked low-salt meat products.

Inactivation of Salmonella in nonintact beef during low-temperature sous vide cooking

Sous vide cooking is a method of food preparation in which food is vacuum sealed and cooked in a water bath that is set to a precise temperature and circulated by a sous vide device. Due to ease of use and affordability, this cooking method has grown increasingly popular in food service kitchens and domestic settings. However, low-temperature, long holding time sous vide cooking recommendations from manufacturers and chefs in popular press raise food safety concerns – specifically those for the preparation of nonintact beef products. The objective of this experiment was to address these concerns by validating a 5 log reduction of Salmonella spp. in sous vide cooked, nonintact beef steaks. Beef semitendinosus sliced into 2.54 cm steaks were internally inoculated to 7 log with Salmonella Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Heidelberg via a needle inoculation pin pad. Steaks were individually vacuum sealed, and sous vide cooked at 46.1, 51.6, and 54.4°C. The minimum time measured for a 5 log reduction at 51.6 and 54.4°C was 150 and 64.5 min, respectively (P < 0.01). Additionally, a 7.28 log final reduction was achieved at 51.6°C after 322.5 min (P < 0.01). However, 46.1°C was only able to achieve a final reduction of 2.01 log (P < 0.01) after a holding time of 420 min. The results of this experiment validate in sous vide cooked products the time and temperature combinations provided in the USDA-FSIS Appendix A guidance for a 5 log reduction of Salmonella spp. in meat products. Moreover, more research is needed with other relevant foodborne pathogens to determine if sous vide cooking below Appendix A recommendations could lead to unsafe products.