Effect of high hydrostatic pressure and reducing sodium chloride and phosphate on physicochemical properties of beef gels

ABSTRACT

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment (100–200?MPa, 10?min, 20°C) combined with sodium chloride and sodium phosphate on the physicochemical properties of beef gels was investigated. The water content, cooking losses, color, protein composition by SDS-PAGE analysis and texture parameters of beef gels were determined. The beef gels treated with high pressure at 150?MPa showed a synergistic effect in the increased water content and the decreased cooking losses compared with the unpressurized gels. The L*, a* and b* color values of beef gels were slightly decreased under HHP treatment at 100–200?MPa. In the SDS-PAGE analysis, the staining intensity of the α-actinin protein band was decreased in pressurized samples. The cohesiveness, adhesiveness, gel strength and modulus of elasticity were improved after HHP treatment. Application of high pressure treatment (150–200?MPa) before heat treatment would be beneficial for the manufacturing of low salt and/or low phosphate meat products for a healthy diet.     

Effect of pH and high pressure at sub-zero temperature on the viability of some bacteria

The objective of this study was to investigate the viability of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in apple juice after treatment with high pressure at sub-zero temperature and during subsequent storage at 5 and 20 °C. The viability of E. coli and S. aureus cells suspended in the apple juice with a pH of 3.8 did not decrease considerably after pressure treatment at 193 MPa and?20 °C. However, viability losses occurred during storage of samples after pressure treatment. Living cells of both strains were not detected in pressurized samples of apple juice stored for 10 days at 20°C. The lethal effect was lower when the samples after pressure treatment were incubated at refrigerated temperature; the number of E. coli and S. aureus decreased by 6 log cycles when the juice was stored for 10 days at 5 °C.     

Effects of pressure and temperature on the survival rate of adherent A-172 cells

Preservation of cells under high pressure is an important alternative to cryopreservation. We studied the effect of temperature (4, 25, 37°C) and pressure (0.1–350 MPa) on the survival rate of A-172 glioblastoma cells. The survival rate was not changed by brief (10 min) pressurization of up to 150 MPa, but the survival rate began to decrease from 150 MPa, and most of the A-172 cells died when treated with over 200 MPa. Lengthy pressurization (4 days) at lower pressure (upto 20.1 MPa) without medium exchange showed complex results. The survival rate of cells preserved at 25°C showed two maxima at 1.6 and 20.1 MPa. After preservation, cells adhered and proliferated in the same way as normal cells when cultured at 37°C in a CO₂ incubator. The other two temperatures, 4° and 37°C, showed no maximum survival rate. Therefore, a high survival rate can be maintained with high pressure treatment.     

The variability of times to detect growth from individual Clostridium botulinum type E endospores is differentially affected by high pressure treatments

High pressure thermal (HPT) processing is a candidate technology for the production of safe and stable food. However, little is known about the effect of HPT or high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments at ambient temperature on the variability of times to detect growth from individual spores. We investigated this effect by treating Clostridium botulinum type E spores with HHP (200–600?MPa, 20°C) and HPT (600?MPa, 80°C and 800?MPa, 60°C). Our results indicate that the mean detection times increase and the frequency distribution shifts toward longer times when HHP treatment intensity is increased. HPT treatments result in a highly scattered distribution. In contrast, pressure levels ≤300?MPa decrease detection times and heterogeneity of their distribution, which could lead to an increase in the potential risk originating from C. botulinum type E spores. Data provided here could help to refine risk assessment regarding this important food intoxicator.     

The application of high pressure–mild temperature processing for prolonging the shelf-life of strawberry purée

The aim of this study was to monitor the shelf-life and quality of strawberry purée preserved using combined high pressure processing (HPP)–mild temperature processing at 300 and 600?MPa for 15 min during cold storage (6°C). Increasing the pressure resulted in a prolonged shelf-life of from 4 to 28 weeks for HPP-preserved purée at 300 and 600?MPa, respectively. The highest inactivation of peroxidases, pectinesterases and polygalacturonases was noted when a higher pressure was used, whereas a lower pressure was more efficient for polyphenoloxidases. The degradation of vitamin C and anthocyanins was 20% and 5% higher at 600?MPa than at 300?MPa, respectively. Significantly fewer changes in the colour coefficient, expressed as ΔE, and the browning index, were observed in purée preserved at 600?MPa. Oxidative and hydrolytic enzymes are highly pressure-resistant, which suggests other inhibitors should be used to increase the shelf-life of good-quality fruit products.     

Synthesis of nano-polycrystalline diamond from glassy carbon at pressures up to 25 GPa

ABSTRACT

Nano-polycrystalline diamond (NPD) with various grain sizes has been synthesized from glassy carbon at pressures 15–25?GPa and temperatures 1700–2300°C using multianvil apparatus. The minimum temperature for the synthesis of pure NPD, below which a small amount of compressed graphite was formed, significantly increased with pressure from ～1700°C at 15?GPa to ～1900°C at 25?GPa. The NPD having grain sizes less than ～50?nm was synthesized at temperatures below ～2000°C at 15?GPa and ～2300°C at 25?GPa, above which significant grain growth was observed. The grain size of NPD decreases with increasing pressure and decreasing temperature, and the pure NPD with grain sizes less than 10?nm is obtained in a limited temperature range around 1800–2000°C, depending on pressure. The pure NPD from glassy carbon is highly transparent and exhibits a granular nano-texture, whose grain size is tunable by selecting adequate pressure and temperature conditions.     

Listeria monocytogenes cells injured by high hydrostatic pressure and their recovery in nutrient-rich or -free medium during cold storage

ABSTRACT

Cells of Listeria monocytogenes suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were treated by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP; 500?MPa, 25°C, 10?min), diluted by ten folds using trypticase soy broth (TSB) or PBS, and stored at cold temperatures of 0–15°C. Viable cell count in TSB increased logarithmically close to the initial count at each storage temperature, while that in PBS increased temporarily and subsequently decreased to almost nondetectable level except the case at 15°C, where it showed logarithmic increase thereafter. Based on proliferation experiments where their healthy cells were inoculated to TSB or to PBS containing their heat-killed dead cells, it was suggested that increase in the viable count of HHP-treated cells in TSB and PBS could be ascribed to the recovery of colony forming ability and/or proliferation depending on the cold storage temperature.     

Electric strength of rocks at a pulsed voltage under high pressures at high temperatures

The electric strength of rocks (granite, limestone, and sandstone) for the first time has been measured under the simultaneous effect of the pressure up to 35 MPa and temperature up to 120°C in the system of rod-rod electrodes arranged on one sample surface and point-plane electrodes in the liquid medium of a drilling agent. With the simultaneous increase in pressure and temperature, the electric strength of rocks for point-plane electrodes continuously increases (especially rapidly in the pressure range of 10–24 MPa and temperature range of 35–85°C), while for rod-rod electrodes arranged on the same sample surface, the electric strength varies with a maximum at pressures of 5–12 MPa and temperatures 20–35°C.     

Moderate hydrostatic pressure–temperature combinations for inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores

We report the effect of using moderate hydrostatic pressure, 40–140?MPa, at moderate temperature (38–58°C) to inactivate Bacillus subtilis spores in McIlvaine's citric phosphate buffer at pH 6. We have investigated several parameters: pressure applied, holding time, pressure cycling, and temperature. The kinetics of spore inactivation is reported. The results show that spore inactivation is exponentially proportional to the time the sample is exposed to pressure. Spore germination and inactivation occur at the hydrostatic pressures/temperature combinations we explored. Cycling the pressure while keeping the total time at high pressure constant does not significantly increase spore inactivation. We show that temperature increases spore inactivation at two different rates; a slow rate below 33°C, and at a more rapid rate at higher temperatures. Increasing pressure leads to an increase in spore inactivation below 95?MPa; however, further increases in pressure give a similar rate kill. The time dependence of the effect of pressure is consistent with the first-order model (R²?>?0.9). The thermal resistance values (Z_T) of B. subtilis spores are 30°C, 37°C, and 40°C at 60, 80, 100?MPa. The increase in Z_T value at higher pressures indicates lower temperature sensitivity. The pressure resistance values (Z_P) are 125, 125 and 143?MPa at 38°C, 48°C, and 58°C. These Z_P values are lower than those reported for B. subtilis spores in the literature, which indicates higher sensitivity at pressures less than about 140?MPa. We show that at temperatures <60°C, B. subtilis spores are inactivated at pressures below 100?MPa. This finding could have implications for the design of the sterilization equipment.     

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure processing and squeezing pressure on some quality properties of pomegranate juice against thermal treatment

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment (200, 300, 400?MPa; 5°C, 15°C and 25°C; 5 and 10 min) on some quality properties of pomegranate juice. Juice samples are obtained under industrial conditions at two different squeezing pressure levels (100 and 150?psi – 0.689 and 1.033?MPa, respectively). Results are compared against conventional thermal treatment (85°C/10 min) and raw sample. For all three processing temperature, HHP combinations at 400?MPa for 10 min were sufficient to decrease the microbial load around 4.0 log cycles for both squeeze levels. All HHP treatments showed no significant decrease at antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and monomeric anthocyanin pigment concentrations, while there was a significant decrease (p?≤?.05) in thermal-treated samples. Being the highest sugar alcohol in pomegranate juice, mannitol content must be considered for determining the authenticity, and mannitol content increased with squeezing pressure and thermal treatment.     

Behavior of thermocouples under high pressure in a multi-anvil apparatus

We have conducted experiments to study the behavior of W5%Re–W26%Re (type C) and Pt10%Rh–Pt (type S) thermocouples under high pressure in a multi-anvil apparatus. The electromotive force (emf) between four different or three identical thermocouple wires was measured up to 15?GPa and 2100?°C. Mechanical and chemical stability of the thermocouples was examined during and after the experiments. Due to the effect of pressure on the emf/temperature relation, the temperature reading of the type C minus that of the type S thermocouple rises to +5?°C then falls to ?15?°C between room temperature and 1500?°C at 5?GPa, and to +25?°C and then ?35?°C between room temperature and 1800?°C at 15?GPa. In addition, we observed variations in the emf/temperature relation caused by uncertainties in the position and geometry of hot junctions in a steep temperature gradient, and by variable distribution of pressure gradient and non-hydrostatic stress on the thermocouple wires. These errors are estimated at 1.6% for the type S thermocouple up to 1700?°C, and 0.8% for the type C thermocouple up to 2100?°C. Self-diffusion and chemical contamination of the thermocouples by high-purity insulating ceramics appear negligible for the type S thermocouple at 1700?°C for one hour, and for the type C thermocouple at 2100?°C for half an hour. In contrast, large-scale displacement of the hot junction due to dislocation of the type C thermocouple wires and plastic deformation of the type S thermocouple wires may lead to large errors in temperature measurement (±200?°C).     

Crystallization of mesoporous silica SBA-15 in a high pressure hydrothermal environment

Mesoporous silica SBA-15 (with ～6?nm pore size and ～6?nm wall thickness) was exposed to a hydrothermal environment at 2 and 5?GPa. The p,T quenched products were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis of a sample subjected to 5?GPa at room temperature suggests functionalization of both inner and outer pore surface by silanol. Partial transformation to nano-sized (20–50?nm) coesite crystals with nonfaceted morphology was observed during short equilibration times of 2?h at 125°C, which is significantly below the melting point of water (～250°C). Untransformed SBA-15 maintained intact pore structure. At 175°C and during 8?h, SBA-15 transformed completely into faceted coesite crystals with dimensions 100–300?nm, suggesting Ostwald ripening and thus significant mass transport in the solid water environment. At 2?GPa the melting point of water is near 70°C. Partial transformation to nano-sized α-quartz was observed at 65°C and during 2?h. Untransformed SBA-15 partially pore collapsed. The reduced pore stability of SBA-15 at 2?GPa is attributed to the presence of liquid water in the pores due to melting point depression of confined water.     

A nearly zero temperature gradient furnace system for high pressure multi-anvil experiments

A new furnace system with an almost zero temperature gradient throughout the sample area was designed for multi-anvil high pressure experiments. Test experiments of the new design were performed using 18/11 and 25/15 cell assemblies at 4?GPa, 1400°C and 1500°C, respectively. The temperature field within the sample capsules appeared to be very homogenous as indicated by Mg₂Si₂O₆–MgCaSi₂O₆ two-pyroxene thermometry, by direct temperature measurements using two thermocouples within the same assembly, and by distribution of solid and liquid phases in the sample capsule. The temperature gradient is estimated to be <2.4°C/mm over an area of 4?×?5?mm² within the furnace. It is significantly lower than standard multi-anvil experiments with straight or stepped furnace systems, which are at the levels of 20–200°C/mm.     

Evaluation of quality changes of beetroot juice after high hydrostatic pressure processing

ABSTRACT

Freshly squeezed commercially available beetroot juice, a popular beverage in Poland, is a good source of betalains, but as a root vegetable can contain undesirable microflora from the soil. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of new preservation technique, high hydrostatic pressure, on the beetroot juice quality. Samples of beetroot juice were treated with pressure 300, 400 and 500?MPa/20°C/up to 10 min. Reduction in the total count of spoilage microorganisms reached 3.8, 4.1 and 4.5 log cfu/mL, depending on the pressure. After this treatment beetroot juice showed a 11.3–12.2% decrease in betacyanins content and 7.7–8.9% in betaxanthins content. A significant reduction of the number of spoilage microorganisms with a slight degradation of pigments indicates the possibility of industrial application of high pressure to the preservation of beetroot juice.     

High pressure studies on hesperitin production with hesperidinase free and immobilized in calcium alginate beads

The use of high pressure for the enzymatic synthesis of pharmacologically interesting molecules is a very important tool. Hesperidin and hesperitin exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticarcinogenic properties and prevent bone loss. However, hesperidin has a low bioavailability compared with hesperitin, due to the rutinoside moiety attached to the flavonoid. The aim of this work was the enzymatic production of hesperitin from hesperidin (soluble and insoluble) with hesperidinase free and immobilized in Ca-alginate beads, under high pressure conditions. The work was focused on the optimization of enzyme activity, studying the effects: pressure (50–150 MPa), temperature (35–75 °C), concentration of substrate (100–800 mg/L), and immobilization of hesperidinase. An 18-fold increase in hesperidinase residual activity was observed under high pressure conditions of 100 MPa compared to 0.1 MPa. A higher specificity of the hydrolytic reaction under high pressure (100 MPa) with a two-and three-fold increase in the ratio K _cat/K _M (specificity constant) at 55 °C and 75 °C was observed. A two-fold increase in the maximum activity at 100 MPa was observed with immobilized hesperinase compared to 0.1 MPa. In the second reutilization, almost a four-fold increase was obtained under high pressure conditions in comparison to atmospheric pressure.     

Fracture toughness evaluation of WC–10 wt% Co hardmetal sintered under high pressure and high temperature

This work focused on fracture toughness studies of WC–10?wt% Co hardmetal fabricated through the high pressure/high-temperature technique. A powder mixture of WC–10?wt% Co was sintered at 1500–1900°C under a pressure of 7.7?GPa for 2 and 3?min. Vickers hardness test at two different loads of 15 and 30?kgf was done and fracture toughness of the sintered bodies was measured using the indentation method to obtain the effect of sintering parameters. Structural analyses were also performed via X-ray diffraction to investigate structure-related properties. Full density was achieved for high sintering temperature along with abnormal grain growth that reduced hardness. High hardness was observed ranging from 1200 to 1670?HV and fracture toughness increased with increasing sintering temperature up to the highest value of 17.85?MPa/m^1/2.     

Effect of carbon fiber volume fraction on 6H to 4H-SiC polytype transformation

In this study, polycrystalline α-SiC composed of 55.7?wt.% 6H-SiC, 35.1?wt.% 4H-SiC with different volume fractions of carbon fibers (0–5–10–15–20%) was successfully sintered by spark plasma sintering technique at 2000°C and 35?MPa of applied pressure. The micrographs obtained from scanning electron microscopy revealed that the sintered samples were composed of equiaxed SiC grains. Results indicated that the presence of carbon fibers retarded the SiC densification process, decreased their relative densities and increased their porosity. Additionally, according to quantitative phase analysis by the Rietveld method during the sintering step, it was found that the 6H to 4H transformation has taken place. Increasing the carbon fibers content accelerated this trend as the sample containing 20?vol.% carbon fiber was consisted of 85.5?wt.% 4H-SiC.     

Critical damage to the cellular organelles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae under sublethal conditions upon high pressure carbon dioxide treatment

ABSTRACT

High pressure carbon dioxide treatment is a non-thermal pasteurization technique. However, critical damage, resulting from the treatment, to microbial cells has not been observed directly, and the detailed mechanism of the microbicidal activity is not understood. In this study, we analyzed the damage to Saccharomyces cerevisiae organelles, which were visualized using organelle-specific GFP fusion proteins. Yeast strains were subjected to high pressure carbon dioxide treatments at 30°C and 4.0?MPa for 2–8?h. Reduction in yeast cell viability was accompanied by the disruption of endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear membrane, Golgi body, and nucleolus. However, visible damage to the cell membrane was not observed. Fluorescence microscopy was utilized to confirm that high pressure carbon dioxide treatment damaged membranes of major organelles, but not the cell membrane.     

Direct Resinification of Two (1→3)-β-D-Glucans,Curdlan and Paramylon,via Hot-Press Compression Molding

Abstract

Hot-press compression molding was attempted to resinify two renewable source-derived linear (1→3)-β-D-glucan polymers, i.e., paramylon or curdlan via the generation of reactive aldehyde groups that tend to crosslink with hydroxyl groups of the glucans. As for the paramylon, the optimal molding temperature was found to be around 220?°C, keeping the pressure at 20?MPa for 3?min, due to its highly crystalline structure. On the other hand, the curdlan resin was producible in the temperature range of 180–240?°C at the same pressure and pressing time. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed a large temperature dependence of the loss modulus, E’’, for the paramylon-based polymer resin whereas the semi-crystalline curdlan resin was stable in terms of both the storage and loss moduli, E’ and E’’, up to 160?°C. The vaporization of the water formed during the molding, due to the thermal decomposition, and the adsorption of moisture due to the hydrophilic property of the paramylon affected the thermal stability. The curdlan resin exhibited flexural strength and modulus extremely superior to those of regenerated and esterified curdlan films, and even a little superior to those of polyamide-12. The strain at break was comparable to the yield strain of an epoxy resin. On the other hand, the paramylon-based polymer resin was producible, but the resinification property and thermal stability of the paramylon resin was inferior to the curdlan resin due to the former’s highly crystalline structure.     

Ratiometric fluorescent nanoparticles for sensing temperature

A ratiometric type of fluorescent nanoparticle was prepared via an encapsulation–reprecipitation method. By introducing an alkoxysilanized dye as a reference, the nanoparticles (NPs) give both a green and a red fluorescence under one single-wavelength excitation. The resulted ratiometric fluorescence is found to be highly temperature-dependent in the physiological range (25–45 °C), with an intensity temperature sensitivity of ?4.0%/°C. Given the small size (20–30 nm in diameter) and biocompatible nature (silica out layer), such kind of NPs were very promising as temperature nanosensors for cellular sensing and imaging.