Making ice cream for Goldilocks!

Ice cream or gelato should not be too hard or too soft at the serving-temperature.   Hardness is largely dependent on the concentration of frozen water at the serving-temperature which is influenced by the concentration of lactose, sucrose, glucose, other sugars and milk salts in the mix. This article explains the significance of sugar concentration on the freezing point depression (FPD) of ice cream. The effect of individual sweeteners on FPD is discussed. The use of relative freezing point depression (RFPD), which does not include lactose, to control hardness in commercial ice cream production is outlined. A similar method widely used in continental Europe that includes lactose in the calculation, the Potere Anti Congelante (PAC) method, is discussed using worked examples. Examples of how to reformulate ice cream mixes to obtain a controlled hardness whilst maintaining a similar relative sweetness value are also provided.

Resumen

El helado o helado no debe ser demasiado duro o demasiado blando en la porción temperatura. La dureza es en gran parte dependiente de la concentración de agua congelada en la porción-temperatura que está influenciada por la concentración de lactosa, sacarosa, glucosa, otros azúcares y sales de la leche en la mezcla. En este artículo se explica la importancia de la concentración de azúcar en la depresión del punto de congelación (FPD) de helado. Se discute el efecto de los edulcorantes individuales de FPD. Se describe el uso de la depresión relativa del punto de congelación (RFPD), que no incluye la lactosa, para controlar la dureza en la producción comercial de helados. Un método similar se utiliza ampliamente en Europa continental que incluye lactosa en el cálculo, el anti congelante Potere (PAC) método, se discute el uso de ejemplos prácticos. Ejemplos de cómo reformular el helado se mezcla para obtener una dureza controlada, manteniendo un valor dulzura relativa similar también se proporcionan.

Zusammenfassung

Eis oder Eis sollte nicht zu hart oder zu weich an der Portion-Temperatur. Die Härte ist weitgehend abhängig von der Konzentration des gefrorenen Wassers an der Serving-Temperatur, die durch die Konzentration von Lactose, Saccharose, Glucose, Zucker und Milch anderen Salzen in der Mischung beeinflusst wird. Dieser Artikel erklärt die Bedeutung der Zuckerkonzentration auf der Gefrierpunktserniedrigung (FPD) von Speiseeis. Die Wirkung der einzelnen Süßstoffe auf FPD wird diskutiert. Die Verwendung von relativ Gefrierpunktserniedrigung (RFPD), die keine Lactose, um die Härte in der kommerziellen Herstellung von Eiscreme steuern skizziert. Ein ähnliches Verfahren weit verbreitet in Kontinentaleuropa verwendet die Laktose in der Berechnung berücksichtigt, wird die Anti Potere Congelante (PAC)-Methode, diskutiert mit Beispielen gearbeitet. Beispiele, wie man Eis formulieren mischt, um eine kontrollierte Härte bei gleichzeitiger Wahrung eines ähnlichen relativen Süße Wert sind ebenfalls vorhanden zu erhalten.

Sommario

Gelato o gelato non dovrebbe essere troppo duro o troppo morbido al servizio-temperatura. Durezza dipende in larga misura la concentrazione di acqua congelata al serving temperatura che è influenzata dalla concentrazione di lattosio, saccarosio, glucosio, altri zuccheri e sali latte nella miscela. Questo articolo spiega il significato della concentrazione zuccherina sulla depressione del punto di congelamento (FPD) di gelato. È discussa l'effetto dei singoli dolcificanti sul FPD. L'uso di relativa depressione del punto di congelamento (RFPD), che non include il lattosio, per controllare la durezza di ghiaccio commerciale produzione crema è delineato. Un metodo simile ampiamente utilizzato in Europa continentale che comprende lattosio nel calcolo, il metodo Potere Anti Congelante (PAC), è discusso con esempi pratici. Esempi di come riformulare il gelato mix per ottenere una durezza controllata mantenendo un simile valore di dolcezza relativa sono anche previste.

Résumé

La crème glacée ou de glace ne doivent pas être trop dur ou trop mou à la portion température. La dureté est largement dépendante de la concentration de l'eau congelée à la portion de température qui est influencé par la concentration de lactose, de saccharose, de glucose, d'autres sucres et des sels de lait dans le mélange. Cet article explique l'importance de la concentration de sucre sur l'abaissement du point de congélation (FPD) de crème glacée. L'effet des édulcorants individuels sur FPD est discutée. L'utilisation de l'abaissement du point de congélation par rapport (RFPD), qui ne comprend pas le lactose, pour contrôler la dureté de la production de la crème glacée du commerce est décrit. Une méthode similaire largement utilisé en Europe continentale qui inclut lactose dans le calcul, la méthode Potere Anti congelante (PAC), est examinée en utilisant des exemples pratiques. Des exemples de la façon de reformuler mélanges à crème glacée pour obtenir une dureté contrôlée, tout en conservant une valeur de douceur relative similaire sont également fournis.

الآيس كريم أو الجيلاتي لا ينبغي أن يكون من الصعب جدا أو لينة جدا في درجة الحرارة خدمة. صلابة يعتمد إلى حد كبير على تركيز المياه المجمدة في درجة الحرارة التي تخدم يتأثر تركيز اللاكتوز، السكروز، الجلوكوز والسكريات الأخرى وأملاح الحليب في هذا المزيج. وهذا المقال يوضح أهمية تركيز السكر على الاكتئاب نقطة التجمد (حماية الأسرة) من الآيس كريم. وتناقش تأثير المحليات الفردية على حماية الأسرة. ويرد استخدام النسبية تجميد الاكتئاب نقطة (RFPD)، والتي لا تشمل اللاكتوز، للسيطرة على صلابة في إنتاج الآيس كريم التجارية. وهناك طريقة مشابهة تستخدم على نطاق واسع في أوروبا القارية التي تضم اللاكتوز في الحساب، وPotere مكافحة Congelante (PAC) الأسلوب، وتناقش باستخدام أمثلة عملت. أمثلة على كيفية إعادة صياغة الآيس كريم يمزج للحصول على صلابة تسيطر عليها مع الحفاظ على القيمة النسبية حلاوة مماثلة كما تقدم.

Opsomming

Roomys of gelato moet nie te hard of te sag op die bediening-temperatuur. Hardheid is grootliks afhanklik van die konsentrasie van bevrore water op die bediening-temperatuur wat deur die konsentrasie van laktose, sukrose, glukose, ander suikers en melk sout in die mengsel beïnvloed word. Hierdie artikel verduidelik die betekenis van suiker konsentrasie op die vriespuntverlaging (FPD) van roomys. Die effek van individuele versoeters op FPD bespreek word. Die gebruik van relatiewe vriespuntverlaging (RFPD), wat nie laktose sluit, hardheid te beheer in kommersiële roomys produksie word geskets. 'N Soortgelyke metode wyd gebruik word in die vasteland van Europa wat insluit laktose in die berekening, is die Potere Anti Congelante (PAC) metode, bespreek die gebruik van uitgewerkte voorbeelde. Voorbeelde van hoe om roomys te herformuleer meng 'n beheerde hardheid te verkry, terwyl die handhawing van 'n soortgelyke relatiewe soet waarde word ook voorsien.

 Overzicht

Ijs of gelato moet niet te hard of te zacht zijn op de portie-temperatuur. Hardheid is grotendeels afhankelijk van de concentratie van bevroren water in de portie-temperatuur die wordt beïnvloed door de concentratie van lactose, sucrose, glucose, andere suikers en melkzouten in de mix. Dit artikel legt de betekenis van de concentratie suiker op de vriespuntdaling (FPD) van ijs. Het effect van afzonderlijke zoetstoffen op FPD wordt besproken. Het gebruik van relatieve vriespuntdaling (RFPD), die geen lactose, hardheid beheersen commerciële productie van ijs wordt geschetst. Een soortgelijke methode op grote schaal gebruikt in continentaal Europa, dat lactose in de berekening opgenomen, de Potere Anti Congelante (PAC)-methode, wordt besproken met behulp van uitgewerkte voorbeelden. Voorbeelden van hoe je ijs herformuleren mixen om een gecontroleerde hardheid te verkrijgen met behoud van een vergelijkbare relatieve zoetheid waarde zijn ook aanwezig.

 

תקציר

גלידה או גלידה לא אמורה להיות קשה מדי או רכה מדי בהגשה בטמפרטורה. קשיות היא תלויה במידה רבה את הריכוז של מים קפואים בהגשה בטמפרטורה שמושפעת מהריכוז של לקטוז, סוכרוז, גלוקוז, סוכרים ומלחים אחרים חלב בתערובת. מאמר זה מסביר את חשיבותו של ריכוז סוכר בדיכאון נקודת הקיפאון (FPD) של גלידה.ההשפעה של ממתיקים בודדים על FPD נדונה.השימוש בדיכאון יחסי הקפאת נקודה (RFPD), שאינו כולל לקטוז, כדי לשלוט בקשיות קרם ייצור קרח המסחרי הוא התווה.שיטה דומה בשימוש נרחב ביבשת אירופה הכוללת לקטוז בחישוב, Potere אנטי Congelante (PAC) שיטה, נדונה באמצעות דוגמאות עבדו. דוגמאות כיצד לנסח מחדש את הגלידה מתערבבת להשיג קשיות מבוקרת, תוך שמירה על ערך מתיקות יחסי דומה גם כן.

 

總結

冰淇淋或冰淇淋不宜太硬或太軟在現任溫度。硬度在很大程度上依賴於送達受濃度的乳糖,蔗糖,葡萄糖,其他糖和牛奶的鹽在混合溫度對冷凍水的濃度。這篇文章解釋了冰淇淋的冰點抑鬱症(FPD)的糖濃度的意義。個別對FPD甜味劑的效果進行了討論。概述使用的相對凝固點降低(RFPD),的,其中不包括乳糖,來控制硬度在商業生產冰淇淋。在歐洲大陸廣泛使用類似的方法,包括在計算乳糖的,的potere:反CongelantePAC)的方法,討論使用工作的例子。作為如何改寫冰淇淋混合,得到控制,還提供了類似的相對甜度值,同時保持硬度。

 

8th NIZO Dairy Conference, 11-13 September 2013

8th NIZO Dairy Conference
Functional Enzymes for Dairy Applications
11-13 September 2013, Papendal, The Netherlands

Enzymes play a crucial role in achieving and maintaining the desired textural and sensorial properties of almost all dairy products. Prime examples include role of enzymes in the conversion of milk into a cheese and its subsequent flavor formation during ripening and the role of enzyme inactivation in extending the shelf-life of liquid dairy products. In addition, enzymes are widely employed to add further value to dairy ingredients and products, e.g., in the production of oligosaccharides from lactose, lysophospholipids and the various enzymatic tools available to optimize milk protein functionality. All these topics, from fundamental understanding to application in consumer products, will be covered during the conference.

Key Speakers and conference papers

Herwig Bachmann, VU University Amsterdam / NIZO food research, The Netherlands
Enzymes and their role for the selection and improvement of dairy starter cultures

Richard IpsenUniversity of Copenhagen, Denmark
Enzymatic modification to improve milk lipid functionality

Paul JelenUniversity of Alberta, Canada
Abstract: Enzymatic production of lactose derivatives

Alan KellyUniversity College Cork, Ireland
Abstract: Physiological and technological significance of proteases in mammalian milk

Isidra Recio, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
Abstract: Dairy protein and technological significance of proteases in mammalain milk

Fred van de Velde, NIZO food research, The Netherlands
Abstract: Enzymatic modification of milk proteins

Luc van LoonMaastricht University Medical Centre+, The Netherlands
Milk protein and muscle maintenance

For more information see the NIZO website.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

The article on Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) was updated in May 2013 to correct  typographical errors in two of the equations used and a formatting error where the first few paragraphs of the article were not shown in some browsers. 

News at April 2013

The calculator for determining the decimal reduction time (D) of a microorganism at a temperature other than the reference temperature has been updated to show the very low values of D at high temperatures. Previously values lower than 0.001 seconds were shown as 0. Values are now shown in decimal notation.

I have had several discussions regarding the scientific assessment of the safety of ESL (processed at around 120 °C) milk stored at 4 °C for extended periods. In one situation an EHO wanted to see the evidence that justified the company claiming a 35 day safe shelf life. I was pleased to have the opportunity to work with the HACCP team to calculate the lethality of the process, decimal reduction values of appropriate pathogens, the concentration of relevant pathogenic spore formers in milk, the effect of heat treatment on residual numbers and the use of free On Line databases to model pathogen growth in the product subjected to temperature abuse. A report on this risk assessment is available from the author on request.

Dough greying and gas production in frozen ready to bake biscuits has been another interesting problem. This illustrated again, at least to me, the importance of companies employing food scientists to deal with complex problems. It also illustrated the need to retain samples of critical raw materials to enable the investigation of product problems at a later time. Interestingly, despite the product being frozen the company incurred significant expense and wasted time on microbiological analysis. The product used encapsulated bicarbonate to prevent the release of carbon dioxide on storage. The gas production was caused by the reaction of the supposedly inert bicarbonate with dough constituents.

Consumer attitudes to in vitro or cultured meat

A student has posted a link to his/her Face Book page on the forum that is turn linked to an On Line survey on attitudes to cultured meat, also known as in vitro or test tube meat. 

I would applaud this student’s use of social media and Survey Monkey as a method of getting consumer feedback on an interesting topic. Obviously there are qualifications about the methodology used and it would be interesting to see how they are dealt with.

I have included a link to an article on in vitro meat. This gives a good overview and there are several useful references. 

It will be interesting to see how vegans and vegetarians view cultured meat. I would also have liked to have seen a question aimed at faith groups to see if there are religious objections.

New ice cream mix spread sheet added

A customised artisanal gelato / ice cream spread sheet offering sweetness and hardness control options for small batch product manufacture using whole milk, cream, skim milk powder, sucrose, dextrose, fructose, a range of glucose powders or syrups, and flavourings is now available and can be downloaded from http://www.dairyscience.info/technology/180-excel-ice-cream.html .

The spread sheet is called: Pack 7. Customised artisanal gelato / ice cream spreads sheet offering sweetness and hardness control options for small batch mix manufacture using whole milk, cream, skim milk powder, sucrose, dextrose, fructose, a range of glucose powders or syrups, and flavourings.

An On Line demonstration version can be tested at http://www.dairyscience.info/a125/a125.asp .

How do you get bacteriophages to form plaques?

The article discussing factors affecting plaque formation by bacteriophages "How do you get bacteriophages to form plaques?" has been updated and is available at: http://www.dairyscience.info/index.php/enumeration-of-lactococcal-bacteriophages/factors-affecting-plaque-formation.html.

Abstract

Current data indicate that some 1031 bacteriophages exist globally, including about 108 genotypes. Some phages form very tiny or micro plaques. These can sometimes be so small that it is almost impossible to see them. Frequently 'new' phages can be observed using e.g. electron microscopy under conditions where there is strong evidence of a potential host yet it can be very time consuming or in some instances not possible to get the phage to form plaques. Less than 1% of the phages observed using microscopy have ever been grown in culture, this is sometimes called "the great plaque count anomaly".

The conditions required to get a newly isolated phage to form plaques have been reviewed. The importance of testing both logarithmic and stationary phage cells, a range of incubation temperatures, replacing agar with agarose, using low strength agarose top agar overlays in initial experiments, media supplemented with Ca++ and Mg++ that do not contain cation chelators, modifications to the double agar assay method including a) changes to the initial assay step so that phage adsorption takes place at ambient temperature  and b) the use of antibiotics and other activators of the host cell’s SOS system are discussed.

Astratto  IT

I dati attuali indicano che alcuni batteriofagi 1031 esiste a livello mondiale, tra cui circa 108 genotipi. Alcuni fagi formare placche molto piccoli o micro. Questi possono essere a volte così piccolo che è quasi impossibile vederli. Frequenti "nuovi" fagi si può osservare utilizzando ad esempio microscopia elettronica in condizioni in cui vi è una forte evidenza di un potenziale ospite ma può richiedere molto tempo o in alcuni casi non è possibile ottenere il fago a formare placche. Meno dell'1% dei fagi osservati con il microscopio sono mai stati coltivati in coltura, questa è a volte chiamato "il grande numero di targa anomalia".

Le condizioni richieste per ottenere un fago di recente isolato a placche forma sono stati rivisti. L'importanza di testare cellule fagiche sia logaritmiche e fissi, una gamma di temperature di incubazione, in sostituzione di agar con agarosio, con bassa intensità sovrapposizioni agar migliori agarosio in esperimenti iniziali, i media integrati con Ca + + e Mg + + che non contengono chelanti di cationi, modifiche al sistema di duplice agar metodo di dosaggio compreso a) modifiche al passo saggio iniziale in modo che fago adsorbimento avviene a temperatura ambiente e b) l'uso di antibiotici e altri attivatori della cellula ospite SOS sistema sono discussi.

Abstract

Huidige gegevens tonen aan dat sommige 1031 bacteriofagen wereldwijd bestaan, met inbegrip van ongeveer 108 genotypen. Sommige fagen vormen zeer kleine of micro plaques. Deze kunnen soms zo klein dat het bijna onmogelijk is om ze te zien. Vaak 'nieuwe' fagen kunnen worden waargenomen met behulp van bijvoorbeeld elektronenmicroscopie onder omstandigheden waarbij er duidelijk op een potentiële gastheer maar kan zeer tijdrovend of in sommige gevallen niet mogelijk de faag om plaques te vormen krijgen. Minder dan 1% van de fagen waargenomen met behulp van microscopie ooit zijn geteeld in cultuur, wordt dit ook wel 'de grote plaquette tellen anomalie ".

De voorwaarden om een onlangs geïsoleerd faag naar vorm plaques zijn beoordeeld. Het belang van testen van zowel logaritmische en stationaire faag cellen verschillende incubatietemperaturen, vervangen agar met agarose, met lage sterkte agarose top agar overlays in initiële experimenten media aangevuld met Ca + + en Mg + + die geen kation chelatoren, wijzigingen van de dubbele agar assay werkwijze omvat a) aanpassing van het aanvankelijke stap assay zodat faag adsorptie plaatsvindt bij omgevingstemperatuur en b) het gebruik van antibiotica en andere activatoren van SOS de gastheercel systeem besproken.

абстрактный

Текущие данные показывают, что некоторые бактериофаги 1031 существуют во всем мире, в том числе около 108 генотипов. Некоторые фаги образуют очень маленькие или микро бляшек. Они могут иногда быть настолько мала, что это почти невозможно, чтобы увидеть их. Часто «новых» фагов можно наблюдать с помощью, например электронной микроскопии в условиях, когда имеются убедительные доказательства потенциальной принимающей но он может быть очень много времени, а в некоторых случаях не удается получить фага с образованием бляшек. Менее 1% фагов наблюдать с помощью микроскопа когда-либо выращенных в культуре, это иногда называют "великим аномалии количества налета".

Условия, необходимые для получения новых изолированных фагов в форме бляшек были пересмотрены.Важность тестирования и логарифмической и стационарной фагом клеток, ряд температуру инкубации, заменив агар с агарозы, используя низкую прочность агарозном верхней накладки агар в начальных экспериментах, среде с Ca + + и Mg + +, которые не содержат катион энтеросорбенты, изменения в двойном агар метода анализа в том числе) изменения в начальной стадии анализа, так что адсорбции фага происходит при комнатной температуре и б) использование антибиотиков и других возбудителей SOS клетки-хозяина системе обсуждается.

Abstrakt

Aktuelle Daten zeigen, dass einige 1031 Bakteriophagen weltweit existieren, darunter etwa 108 Genotypen. Einige Phagen bilden sehr kleine oder Mikro Plaques. Dies kann manchmal so klein, dass es fast unmöglich ist, sie zu sehen. Häufig "neuen" Phagen beobachtet zB mit werden Elektronenmikroskopie unter Bedingungen, wo es starke Hinweise auf einen möglichen Host dennoch kann es sehr zeitaufwendig sein oder in einigen Fällen nicht möglich, die Phagen-Plaques bilden bekommen. Weniger als 1% der Phagen beobachtet mittels Mikroskopie jemals in Kultur angebaut wird dies manchmal als "die große Plaque Anzahl Anomalie".

Die Voraussetzungen für eine neu isolierten Phagen zu bilden Plaques erhalten wurden überprüft. Die Bedeutung der Prüfung sowohl logarithmische und stationäre Phagen-Zellen, eine Reihe von Inkubationstemperaturen, ersetzen Agar mit Agarose mit niedriger Festigkeit Agarose Topagar Overlays in ersten Versuchen, Medien ergänzt mit Ca + + und Mg + +, die nicht enthalten Kation Chelatoren, Änderungen an der Doppel-Agar Assayverfahren, einschließlich a) Veränderungen der anfänglichen Analysenschritt sodass Phagen Adsorption erfolgt bei Raumtemperatur und b) die Verwendung von Antibiotika und anderen Aktivatoren von der Wirtszelle SOS-System diskutiert.

抽象

目前的數據表明,1031噬菌體的存在全球範圍內,其中包括約108基因型。有些噬菌體形成非常微小的或微斑塊。有時,這些可以是如此之小,這幾乎是不可能看到它們。常見''的噬菌體可以觀察到,例如使用電子顯微鏡下一個潛在的主機有確鑿證據的情況下,它可以是非常耗時的,或在某些情況下不可能得到的噬菌體形成斑塊。只有不到1%的用顯微鏡觀察到的噬菌體曾經在培養基中生長,這有時被稱為偉大的斑塊數量異常

 

需要得到一個新分離的噬菌體形成斑塊的條件進行了審查。測試兩個對數和固定噬菌體細胞,孵化溫度的範圍內,取代瓊脂用瓊脂糖,使用低強度瓊脂糖頂部瓊脂疊加在最初的實驗中,補充有媒體的重要性的Ca++和鎂++,並沒有包含陽離子螯合劑,修改的雙重瓊脂測定方法包括:a)改變的初始測定步驟,使噬菌體吸附發生在環境溫度下,和b)的使用,抗生素和其它宿主細胞的活化劑SOS系統進行了討論。

抽象的な

現在のデータは、いくつかの1031バクテリオファージは約108の遺伝子型を含めて、世界的に存在することを示している。いくつかのファージは、非常に小さなまたはマイクロプラークを形成する。これらは、時にはそれがそれらを参照することはほとんど不可能であるように小さくすることができる。頻繁に"新しい"ファージは例えばを用いて観察することができます潜在的なホストの強い証拠がある条件下では、電子顕微鏡では、まだそれは非常に時間がかかるまたはプラークを形成するために、ファージを取得することはできませんいくつかのインスタンスであることができる。顕微鏡を用いて観察したファージの1%未満では、これまで培養で増殖されているが、これはしばしば "偉大なプラークカウント異常"と呼ばれています。

フォーム斑に新たに単離したファージを得るために必要な条件が見直されました。初期の実験、を補充した培地では、低強度アガローストップ寒天オーバーレイを使用して、アガロースを寒天に置き換える、対数と固定両方ファージ細胞、培養温度の範囲をテストすることの重要性Ca + +およびMg + + doubleに陽イオンキレート剤、修正を含まないファージ吸着は周囲温度で行われ、b)は、抗生物質および宿主細胞のSOSシステムの他の活性化剤の使用が議論されるように、初期の検定ステップへ)の変更を含む寒天アッセイ法。

Abstrait

Les données actuelles indiquent que certains bactériophages 1031 existent dans le monde, y compris environ 108 génotypes. Certains phages former des plaques très petites ou micro. Ceux-ci peuvent parfois être si petit qu'il est presque impossible de les voir. Foire aux «nouveaux» phages peuvent être observés à l'aide par exemple microscopie électronique dans des conditions où il ya des preuves solides de l'hôte potentiel mais il peut être très coûteuse en temps ou, dans certains cas, ne sont pas possibles pour obtenir le phage pour former des plaques. Moins de 1% des phages observés par microscopie ont déjà été mises en culture, ce qui est parfois appelé "l'anomalie grand nombre de plaque».

Les conditions requises pour obtenir un phage nouvellement isolée de plaques de forme ont été examinés. L'importance de tester les cellules de phages à la fois stationnaire et logarithmique, une gamme de températures d'incubation, en remplacement de la gélose d'agarose, en utilisant à faible résistance superpositions d'agarose agar haut dans les expériences initiales, les médias complétés par Ca + + et Mg + + qui ne contiennent pas des chélateurs de cations, des modifications à la double méthode de dosage agar, y compris a) les changements à l'étape de dosage initial de sorte que le phage adsorption a lieu à température ambiante et b) l'utilisation d'antibiotiques et d'autres activateurs de SOS de la cellule hôte système sont discutées.

Training event:"I Laboratori Nazionali di Riferimento per Listeria monocytogenes e Campylobacter. Seminario" - Italy - Teramo, 10 - 12 Dicembre- Montecarlo Room Hotel Sporting

I had the opportunity to present a paper on ‘Bacteriophage and food fermentations. Phage assay and enumeration’ at a training event in Teramo, Italy on the 11th December 2012.One of my former PhD students Dr Giuseppe Aprea is now working at the Istituto G. Caporale in Teramo, Italy. The institute is home to a national, reference laboratory for campylobacter and listeria and undertakes a wide range of food safety work in addition to veterinary research that includes ‘Blue tongue disease’.Giuseppe Aprea is evaluating the effectiveness of listeria bacteriophages in reducing the numbers of listeria in food processing environments, food and their effectiveness in eliminating listeria from biofilms.EM unit in Teramo

The research institute is very well resourced and researchers can access transmission and scanning electron microscopes plus extensive gene sequencing laboratories.Professor Vincenza Prencipe from the Istituto G. Caporale in Teramo has excellent facilities for studying the behaviour of pathogens in foods and I was delighted to have the opportunity to look at their cheese and meat processing facilities.

G-aprea

Bacteriophage and food fermentations. Phage assay

While many food microbiologists are familiar with the disruption of food fermentations by phages some may be less familiar with the more positive applications of phages including their use in preventing bacterial diseases of fruit and vegetables, their use in controlling the concentrations of pathogens in foods e.g. E. coli 0157, their role in nutrient recycling in the oceans and in soil, and in nanotechnology.Despite the high numbers of phages in the environment e.g. concentrations of 107- 108 plaque forming units (PFU) /ml are common in soil whereas concentrations of 106- 107 PFU/g are often found in sea water, it can be difficult to isolate hosts and to get phages to produce plaques. Plaque formation is very important in phage purification and the inability to get plaque formation does limit the application of genetic and other molecular biology studies.It was good to get the opportunity to review the challenges of phage isolation, and subsequent assay using the double agar phage assay method. The work of Abedon and co-workers on the mathematical modelling of plaque production e.g. Abedon and Yin (2009) has revealed the importance of phage diffusivity (the rate of virus particle diffusion in the absence of the host), phage-bacterium attachment, phage latent period, burst size, and host density on plaque production and overall size. Abedon’s work combined with recent work on the tendency of some large Siphophages to aggregate (will not pass through normal filters), not plaque in overlays containing >0.2% agrose combined with the use of antibiotics that activate the SOS response in cells has the potential to get even more phages to plaque and to markedly increase the size of micro plaques.I intend to update the bacteriophage pages to reflect these developments over the next few months.

Nutritional article / tools updated

The article on labelling dealing with the calculation of the energy of food components, the associated energy calculator and the sodium to salt (sodium chloride) calculator has been updated.

Starting up an ice cream business

An article aimed at helping new ice cream 'startups' was added to the Dairyscience and Food Technology website today the 3rd May 2012.

The author, Lee Williams owns and operates Valenti’s Gelato-Artisan, a Company dedicated to promoting Artisan Ice Cream and Gelato making throughout the UK.

Training course at Universita' Degli Studo Di Napoli, Federico 11 in Italy

On the 24th September 2009 I had the opportunity to talk to the “Graduate Quality Course on Health, Hygiene and Technology on milk and milk-product chain production” at the Universita' Degli Studo Di Napoli, Federico 11 in Italy.

Discussing issues in cheese science and technology with postgraduate students from a range of disciplines and companies in Italy was a very pleasant and interesting experience.

My thanks to Professor Nicoletta Murru for the invitation and to Dr. Giuseppe Aprea (Virology and Serology Unit, Animal Health Department, Experimental Zooprophilactic Institute of Southern Italy) who acted as interpreter.

One of the topics discussed was the use of HACCP in milk production at farm level. I look forward to helping to organise a study tour to Northern Ireland to look at HACCP use on farm and the food processing facilities at the Loughry campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise.

Students on milk products course

 

Professor Nicoletta Murru and Dr Giuseppe Aprea with students from the “Graduate Quality Course on Health, Hygiene and Technology on milk and milk-product chain production” at the Universita' Degli Studo Di Napoli, Federico 11 Italy.

 

Thermal processing report updated

The downloadable report "Thermal processing of acid fruit and vegetable products. Significant microorganisms, recommended processing time / temperatures, and public health significance of spoilage" has been updated.

The report:

1) Identifies the potential spoilage organisms of acidic foods
2) Discusses the decimal reduction times and Z-values of the major spoilage organisms of acid foods
3) Lists F or P values and reference temperatures for ensuring the production of commercially sterile acid foods
4) Explains how to calculate F values and the number of log reductions of spoilage organisms following processing
5) Explains how to calculate equivalent processes e.g. at higher temperatures using published data
5) Explains the importance of measuring pH over the shelf life of acidified products
6) Provides a summary of the major causes of spoilage of acidic foods and their control
7) Lists literature, including a free On Line database containing around 6000 D-values, concerning the manufacture and control of acid foods.

This report contains 17 pages, 5 tables and 19 references (the table of contents is shown in figure 1).

Figure 1. Table of contents for thermal processing report

 

Worked examples are provided and the author is prepared (within reason) to help users having
problems providing they are posted on the forum. The report will be converted to an Ebook with additional sections including the manufacture of acidic milk products, validation and quality assurance of heat processes. Donors will be advised of updates which will be available at no cost.

More information is available at http://www.dairyscience.info/index.php/thermal-processing.html.

Jaap de Jonge visits CAFRE's Loughry Campus

I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet Jaap de Jonge, MD of Jongia (UK), today (15-5-2012) when he visited CAFRE's Loughry Campus. Jongia have supplied soft cheesemaking equipment to Loughry and the visit was an opportunity to explore recent developments in cheese making technology particularly for artisanal producers.


Jaap de Jongia

Jaap pictured with Gary Andrews and Joy Alexander from CAFRE

Congratulations to Dr Giuseppe Aprea

 Congratulations to Dr. Giuseppe Aprea who received his PhD at the Universita' Degli Studo Di Napoli, Federico 11 on Monday the 15th January 2007. I was particularly pleased to be a member of the Commision responsible for examing Guiseppe and the other doctoral candidates.

 

The author pictured with Professor M. L. Cortesi, Professor N. Murru and Dr G. Aprea at the University of Naples

 

The author pictured with Professor M. L. Cortesi, Professor N. Murru and Dr G. Aprea at the University of Naples 

Dr Aprea worked with the author and colleagues at Loughry to study fermentation problems with Mozzarella cheese produced using buffalo milk in Southern Italy. The cheeses were manufactured using natural whey or artisanal cultures. 

The research involved the isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria from the starters and the determination of their sensitivity to bacteriophage.  The work identified that many of the lactic acid bacteria, particularly lactobacilli, present in the whey starters contained inclusion bodies comprised of polyphosphate. This work has been published. Two unusual phages for Lactobacillus brevis, the first reported for this organism were also identified.

 Giuseppe Aprea working with Professor Ger Fitzgerald at University College Cork has characterised the genome of both phages and determined their sensitivity to high pressure and temperature.

Milk protein derived bioactive peptides

An article on 'Milk protein derived bioactive peptides' by Emily Haque and Dr. Rattan Chand from the National Dairy Research Institute in India has been added to the Dairy Science and Food Technology website.

This article reviews recent research that has shown that milk proteins can yield bioactive peptides with opioid, mineral binding, cytomodulatory, antihypertensive, immunostimulating, antimicrobial and antioxidative activity in the human body.

The authors review the properties of bioactive peptides, explain that bioactive peptides are encrypted in milk proteins and are only released by enzymatic hydrolysisin vivoduring gastrointestinal digestion, food processing or by microbial enzymes in fermented products.

Mention is made of the significant research being undertaken on the health effects of bioactive peptides.The naturally formed bioactive peptidesin fermented dairy products, such as yoghurt, sour milk and cheeseare discussed e.g. antihypertensive peptides have been identified in fermented milks, whey and ripened cheese. Some of these peptides have been commercialised.

The authors conclude with their perspectives on the future of bioactive peptides and suggest that "Bioactive peptides have the potential to be used in the formulation of health-enhancing nutraceuticals, and as potent drugs with well defined pharmacological effects".

Calculate the energy density of food

An article on how to calculate the energy density of food has been added.The purpose of this article is to discuss how to calculate the energy density or energy content of foods. A calculator is also included to calculate energy density using the the Atwater factors.

Dairy farming in a new environment

Students studying dairy science, food science, nutrition and food technology should have at least an appreciation of the macro aspects of food production on the farm.

Farming in Europe and in North America is challenging for many farm families at present. Farm incomes are lower than many farmers need to sustain and develop their businesses and the costs of meeting environmental legislation are increasing. All of this combined with the considerable purchasing power of the food retailers who tend to drive down farm prices requires farmers to have excellent business management skills.

What are the business management challenges for farmers? In a challenging but positive article Ian McCluggage discusses 'Dairy farming in a new environment.'

In his article Ian mentions benchmarking. Further information on benchmarking is also available under the Focus Farm Programme. In this innovative DARD-led programme some 80 farmers throughout Northern Ireland share their business expertise through a mentoring programme. Many of these farmers use benchmarking.

Site updated on the 23rd August

The article on the science of modified atmosphere packaging has been updated to include additional information on non-dairy foods. I have also included some advice on how to cite this and other articles.

Thanks to James Atherton for sharing a Javascript used on his Teaching and Learning site.

Finally after many months an article on the use of starter cell concentrates has been added. This material had been written quite a few years ago and I was disappointed to learn that facilities for innoculating bulk starter vessels with cell concentrate have not improved much. No wonder we still have phage problems.

Biotherapeutic properties of yeasts

A paper on the 'Biotherapeutic properties of probiotic yeast Saccharomyces species in fermented dairy foods' by Kalpana Dixit and D.N.Gandhi, Dairy Microbiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132001, INDIA has been added to the Dairy Science and Food Technology site.

Predicting the grade of Cheddar cheese

The production of mature cheese is expensive and involves management of several risks. There is increasing interest in using models to predict grade or to reject those cheeses that are likely to develop faults on storage.

An article on the use of the Lawrence model to predict the grade value of Cheddar cheese has been added.

The article also provides access to a calculator where users can input actual cheese data and use the Lawrence model to predict the cheese grade.

Safe shelf life of smoked vacuum packed cheese

A small UK business wishes to manufacture smoked cheese and to sell the cheese vacuum-packed. The Environmental Health Officer (EHO) dealing with the business demands that the products produced should have a restricted shelf life in accordance with his/her interpretation of guidance from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). However the company is aware of other businesses selling similar products without restriction.

The above query was posted on the forum today the 6th May 2012. Have you a view? Has the EHO made a mistake?

Theoretical yield of Cottage cheese

A calculator to determine the theoretical yield and process efficiency in Cottage cheese manufacture has been added. Using the solids-not-fat, protein or preferably casein concentration in the cheese milk an estimate of theoretical yield can be obtained. This can be compared with the actual yield to obtain values for cheesemaking efficiency.

Posting on Cottage cheese & site news

The latest posting concerns how to predict the theoretical yield of Cottage cheese.

The site forum has been updated from SimpleForum 3.3 to the professional version. The latter enables forum posts to be viewed without having to register.It alsoenables simpler and faster registrationfor posting anda range of other features e.g. personal messaging, posting attachments; these have still to be enabled. One downside of the upgrade is that the original statistics have been lost. On the positive side posters, providing they have enabled the feature in their profile, will receive an Email each time a response to their topic has been posted.

Finally peace and happiness to all users of this website in 2007.