Beef traceability: a demand for food safety

A crescente exigência dos mercados consumidores por produtos cárneos de qualidade e com segurança vem exigindo do setor produtivo uma contínua adaptação. A rastreabilidade vem de encontro com esta perspectiva, uma vez que integra toda a cadeia produtiva em um sistema de monitoramento e certificação. Entretanto, a desigualdade da capacitação técnica existente nos componentes envolvidos em cada etapa do processo presentes nacionalmente é um desafio a ser vencido. A rastreabilidade é na atualidade um pré-requisito para o setor na conquista de novos mercados. Discute-se neste artigo, portanto, as ações da inspeção federal e do setor produtivo para atender as demandas dos consumidores com ênfase as da comunidade européia.The increasing consumer demand for safe meat products is asking for the productive sector a continuous adaptation for quality products. The traceability program is in accordance to this perspective because it integrates the whole productive chain within a tracking system and certification. However countrywide, the existence of unequal technical capacity within the components involved in each process step is a challenge to be accomplished. Traceability is currently a necessity in order to have new markets. Thus, in this work, the authors discuss the actions taken by federal inspection and productive sector in order to attend the consumer’s demands with emphasis on the European Community

Imbalance of the redox system and quality of tilapia fillets subjected to pre-slaughter stress.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of oxidative stress on the instrumental and sensory quality of Nile tilapia fillets. The experiment was conducted in a 2x2 factorial arrangement, evaluating densities (60 and 300 kg m-3) and depuration times (1 and 24 hours) in a total of four treatments. The serum levels of cortisol and gene expression levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) as well as the pH, color, tenderness, water-holding capacity and sensory analysis of the fillets were evaluated. High density (300 kg m-3) resulted in higher mean cortisol levels, lower expression of CAT and GPx enzymes as well as higher expression of HSP70. Fish under this treatment also exhibited fillets with greater tenderness, higher lightness, lower redness and lower sensory acceptance. The longer depuration time (24 hours) resulted in lower expression of the CAT and GPx enzymes and fillets with higher lightness. The water-holding capacity was not affected by the different treatments. Therefore, low density and longer depuration times are recommended for decreased stress and improved quality of fillets

Fresh pasta enrichment with protein concentrate of tilapia: nutritional and sensory characteristics

Abstract With the goal of developing and characterizing the nutritional and sensory aspects of fresh pasta supplemented with tilapia protein concentrate, four types of pasta were prepared, with inclusion of 0, 10, 20, or 30% of tilapia protein concentrate. Linear effects were observed (P < 0.01) in crude protein, total lipids, ash, carbohydrate, and caloric values; these parameters increased with increasing amounts of tilapia protein concentrate in the pasta. The concentration of Na, P, Ca, Mg, and Zn increased linearly (P < 0.01) in correlation with the increase in protein concentrate content, while Fe content decreased linearly (P < 0.01). In the sensory analysis, texture, overall impression, and the acceptance index demonstrated a cubic regression (P < 0.05), with the inclusion of 20% protein concentrate yielding the best scores. Including up to 30% of tilapia protein concentrate in pasta yields an increased nutritional value, but based on the sensory results, 20% of tilapia protein concentrate in pasta is the recommended maximum level

Effects of transportation stress on quality and sensory profiles of Nile tilapia fillets

This study evaluated pre-slaughter stress and its influence on the stress indicators, quality characteristics and sensory characteristics of Nile tilapia fillets. To this end, two experiments were conducted: (1) two transportation times (60 and 240 min), with a density of 200 kg m−3, were compared to control treatment fish (in which the fish were removed from the net cage and immediately euthanized); and (2) two transportation densities (100 and 400 kg m−3), transported for 180 min, compared with control treatment fish. In experiment 1, the transportation time of 60 min resulted in higher levels of serum cortisol and plasma glucose compared to the transportation time of 240 min and the control. Fish fillets transported for 240 min had higher water-holding capacity, less water loss by pressure and higher levels of juiciness compared to fish transported for 60 min. Color, pH and water loss during cooking were not affected by transportation time. In experiment 2, transportation densities of 100 and 400 kg m−3 did not significantly affect the stress indicators nor the instrumental quality parameters of the fillets, but fish transported at 400 kg m−3 showed better visual acceptance by panellists

Effects of transportation stress on quality and sensory profiles of Nile tilapia fillets

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated pre-slaughter stress and its influence on the stress indicators, quality characteristics and sensory characteristics of Nile tilapia fillets. To this end, two experiments were conducted: (1) two transportation times (60 and 240 min), with a density of 200 kg m−3, were compared to control treatment fish (in which the fish were removed from the net cage and immediately euthanized); and (2) two transportation densities (100 and 400 kg m−3), transported for 180 min, compared with control treatment fish. In experiment 1, the transportation time of 60 min resulted in higher levels of serum cortisol and plasma glucose compared to the transportation time of 240 min and the control. Fish fillets transported for 240 min had higher water-holding capacity, less water loss by pressure and higher levels of juiciness compared to fish transported for 60 min. Color, pH and water loss during cooking were not affected by transportation time. In experiment 2, transportation densities of 100 and 400 kg m−3 did not significantly affect the stress indicators nor the instrumental quality parameters of the fillets, but fish transported at 400 kg m−3 showed better visual acceptance by panellists

Oxigenação extracorpórea por membrana em cães sem auxílio circulatório

A oxigenação extracorpórea por membrana com desvio arterio-venoso (AV-ECMO), em seres humanos, é uma técnica de suporte à vida capaz de assumir em parte ou totalmente as funções dos pulmões, quando estes já não são capazes de promover uma adequada hematose. Para conhecer a viabilidade deste método em cães (Canis familiaris), o presente estudo aplicou a AV-ECMO em dez indivíduos adultos, sem raça definida, com uma expectativa de três horas de duração para cada experimento. No grupo 1 (n=4), ventilação mecânica e infusão contínua de dopamina foram associadas ao suporte extracorpóreo. No grupo 2 (n=6), nenhuma medida de terapia intensiva foi instituída concomitantemente à AV-ECMO. O comportamento dos parâmetros de gasometria e os níveis de lactato foram avaliados a cada 10 minutos e 1 hora, respectivamente, por meio de da avaliação de amostras sanguíneas arteriais. O suporte inotrópico foi capaz de promover uma melhor perfusão tecidual com sangue oxigenado, sugerida pelos níveis de lactato e pressão arterial média mensurados, assim como a hemogasometria revelou melhores resultados quando a ventilação mecânica foi utilizada simultaneamente à AV-ECMO. Portanto, aplicada conjuntamente com suporte da terapia intensiva, a AV-ECMO é uma técnica viável para o uso em cães com falência respiratória, refratária aos tratamentos convencionais