Open Access
Application of MIR spectroscopy to the evaluation of chemical composition and quality parameters of foal meat: a preliminary study
(MDPI, 2020) Ruiz Darbonnens, Marta; Beriain Apesteguía, María José; Beruete Díaz, Miguel; Insausti Barrenetxea, Kizkitza; Lorenzo, José M.; Sarriés Martínez, María Victoria; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The aim of this work was to study the potential of mid-infrared spectroscopy to evaluate the chemical composition and quality parameters of foal meat according to differences based on slaughter ages and finishing diets. In addition, the wavelength ranges which contribute to this meat quality differentiation were also determined. Important characteristics as moisture and total lipid content were well predicted using Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy (MIR) with Rv2 values of 82% and 66%, respectively. Regarding fatty acids, the best models were obtained for arachidonic, vaccenic, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with Rv2 values over 65%. Quality parameters, as instrumental colour and texture and sensory attributes did not reach high prediction coefficients (R2). With the spectra data of the region 2198–1118 cm-1, samples were accurately classified according to slaughter age (78%) and finishing diet (72%). This preliminary research shows the potential of MIR spectroscopy as an alternative tool to traditional meat chemical composition methods. Finally, the wavelength range of the spectrum from 2198 to 1118 cm-1 showed good results for classification purposes.
Open Access
Use of oil mixture emulsion hydrogels as partial animal fat replacers in dry-fermented foal sausages
(Elsevier, 2022) Cittadini, Aurora; Domínguez, Rubén; Munekata, Paulo E. S.; Pateiro, Mirian; Sarriés Martínez, María Victoria; Lorenzo, José M.; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of partial replacement of animal fat by oil mixture emulsion hydrogels on the quality properties of dry-fermented foal sausages. Three batches were elaborated: control (CON) -100 % of pork fat; treatments 1 and 2 (T1 and T2)- 50 % of pork fat was replaced by oil mixture emulsions, tigernut (T1) or sesame oils (T2) blended with algal oil. Lipid reformulations reduced (P < 0.001) fat (36.91 % vs about 30 %, for CON and reformulated samples, respectively), and moisture contents (33.57 % vs about 28 %, for CON and reformulated samples, respectively), while darker sausages were obtained. These changes in the both, fat and moisture contents, have an important influence on the texture parameters, since reformulated samples presented higher values of hardness (283¿317 N) than control samples (152 N). Both oil emulsion hydrogels favored a decrease (P < 0.001) of saturated fatty acids (34.16 vs 30 g/100 g of fat), an increase (P < 0.001) of mono- (T1) and polyunsaturated (T2) fatty acids (depending on the batch), and an improvement of all health indices as omega-6/omega-3 (n-3/n-6) and polyunsaturated fatty acids/ saturated fatty acid ratios (PUFA/SFA), atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indices and hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic ratio (h/H). T2 seemed to reduce (P < 0.001) the lipid oxidation in the samples, while T1 presented the highest values. On the other hand, the terpenes and terpenoids were the most abundant volatile compounds (VOCs) found in all sausages, mainly due to the use of pepper as flavoring spice. Several differences were observed on the content of different individual VOCs (hydrocarbons, acids, alcohols, aldehydes, etc.) and also in the total VOCs content, due of both, differences in lipid oxidation processes (in accordance with TBARS values) and also the moisture and fat content of the samples. Nevertheless, consumer acceptability resulted to be unaffected (T1) or improved (T2) by the fat reformulation. Thus, overall results pointed out that the use of T2 emulsion hydrogel as a partial animal fat replacer could be a promising strategy to achieve healthier dry-cured foal sausages with high consumers¿ approval. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
Open Access
Prediction of foal individual primal cuts yield using video image analysis
(South African Bureau for Scientific Publications, 2018) Lorenzo, José M.; Guedes, C. M.; Zdolec, N.; Sarriés Martínez, María Victoria; Franco, Daniel; Palo, Pascuale de; Muchenje, V.; Silva, S. R.; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
The aim of this work was to use video image analysis (VIA) technology to predict the individual primal cuts of the equine carcass. For this study, a total of 42 foal carcasses were dissected into eight primal cuts (shoulder, top blade, chuck tender, chuck, neck, blade, fore shank and brisket) from the forequarter (FQ) and eleven primal cuts (full plate, loin, tenderloin, topside, eye of round, hind shank, knuckle, flank steak, tri-tip, silverside and heel of round) from the hindquarter (HQ). The proportion of primal cuts in the total carcass ranged from 0.27% to 4.84% for the blade and shoulder in the FQ, and from 0.97% to 8.60% for the heel of round and full plate in the HQ, respectively. The neck and fore shank were the cuts for which the estimation models were most accurate in the models. These included cold carcass weight (CCW) and VIA measurements obtained in both views and had a prediction to deviation (RPD) values of 1.85 and 1.90, respectively. On the other hand, the prediction of the topside cut was the one that presented high accuracy (k-fold-R2 = 0.829) and precision (RMSEcv = 0.23%) with a RPD of 2.85, which suggests a very good predictive ability of the model. Finally, it can be concluded that it is possible to explain the variation of the primal cuts yield in foals with CCW and VIA measurements, and to use this technique as a prediction tool. © 2012 South African Society for Animal Science.
Open Access
Microencapsulated healthy oil mixtures to enhance the quality of foal pâtés
(Frontiers Media, 2022) Cittadini, Aurora; Sichetti Munekata, Paulo E.; Pateiro, Mirian; Sarriés Martínez, María Victoria; Domínguez, Rubén; Lorenzo, José M.; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
This study aimed to evaluate the use of microencapsulated oil mixtures as partial animal fat replacers and their effects on the physicochemical, nutritional and sensory qualities of foal pâtés. Three different batches were manufactured: a control (CON) formulation, with foal dorsal subcutaneous fat (30 g/100 g), and treatments 1 and 2 (T1 and T2), with 50% of the animal fat replaced by microcapsules containing algal oil mixed with walnut oil (T1) or pistachio oil (T2). The reformulated samples presented significant (p < 0.001) diminutions of fat contents, which achieved reductions of 34.22% (“reduced fat content”) and 28.17% in the T1 and T2 samples, respectively, and the lipid reformulation did not affect (p > 0.05) the texture or lipid oxidation of the samples. Furthermore, both microencapsulated oil mixtures significantly (p < 0.001) reduced (11–15%) saturated fatty acid (SFA) concentrations and increased (p < 0.001) mono- (T2) and polyunsaturated (T1) fatty acid contents (8% and 68%, respectively), contributing to the obtainment of nutritional indices in line with health recommendations. Additionally, consumer acceptability did not display significant (p > 0.05) differences among samples. Hence, the outcomes indicated that the incorporation of these microencapsulated oil mixtures as partial animal fat replacers, especially the T1 mixture, represents a promising strategy to obtain healthier foal pâtés, without compromising consumer approval.
Open Access
The reformulation of a beef patty enriched with n-3 fatty acids and vitamin D3 influences consumers' response under different information scenarios
(MDPI, 2020) Beriain Apesteguía, María José; Gómez Bastida, Inmaculada; Sánchez García, Mercedes; Insausti Barrenetxea, Kizkitza; Sarriés Martínez, María Victoria; Ibáñez Moya, Francisco C.; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The objective of this study was to investigate the sensory acceptability and willingness to pay (WTP) for a beef patty elaborated with beef from a local breed that was enriched with nutritional ingredients (vegetable oil mixture and vitamin D3). The experiment was conducted under two information scenarios (blind; full: ingredients used to enrich the patties in n-3 PUFA and vitamin D3). An in-home use test was carried out by 180 consumers to study consumer liking of two low-fat beef patties (C: conventional, M: modified). There were no differences in color and odor for the raw patties (p> 0.05). The sensory parameters of the cooked patties were assessed as being similar (p > 0.05) regardless of the information scenario. The sensory parameters remained crucial criteria for product acceptance and repeat purchase. Consumers positively evaluated the M patty. The information provided to consumers on the composition of the product influenced the response of consumers. It was also observed that the higher the education level of the consumer, the higher their scores for M beef patties in the blind scenario. It is thus necessary to implement appropriate marketing strategies in order to highlight the nutritional properties of the modified patties, making them competitive ahead of conventional patties.
Open Access
Hamburguesas más saludables: ¿cuál es la respuesta del consumidor bajo diferentes escenarios de información?
(Estrategias Alimentarias, 2021) Gómez, I.; Beriain Apesteguía, María José; Sánchez García, Mercedes; Insausti Barrenetxea, Kizkitza; Sarriés Martínez, María Victoria; Ibáñez Moya, Francisco C.; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Una estrategia para conseguir mejorar los perfiles nutricionales de los productos cárnicos es la reformulación, aunque la respuesta de los consumidores podría verse afectada por diferentes factores. Por ello el presente estudio investigó la aceptabilidad sensorial y la disposición a pagar de una hamburguesa elaborada con carne de ternera de una raza local que fue enriquecida con una mezcla de aceites vegetales y vitamina D3. El experimento se realizó bajo dos escenarios de información: ciego, sin información; completo, con información de los ingredientes usados para enriquecer las hamburguesas con ácidos grados poliinsaturados (AGP) n-3 y vitamina D3. Un total de 180 consumidores participaron en un test que realizaban en casa para evaluar dos hamburguesas (convencional y modificada). Los parámetros sensoriales de las hamburguesas mostraron valores similares independientemente del escenario de información. La información proporcionada a los consumidores sobre la composición del producto influenció en su respuesta. Asimismo, a mayor nivel de educación del consumidor, se obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones para las hamburguesas modificadas en el escenario ciego.
Open Access
Effect of breed and finishing diet on chemical composition and quality parameters of meat from Burguete and Jaca Navarra foals
(2022) Cittadini, Aurora; Sarriés Martínez, María Victoria; Domínguez, Rubén; Pateiro, Mirian; Lorenzo, José M.; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of breed, Jaca Navarra (JN) vs. Burguete (BU), and finishing diet, conventional concentrate and straw, diet 1 (D1), vs. silage and organic feed, diet 2 (D2), on chemical composition and quality parameters of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle from forty-six foals. Animals were reared under a semi-extensive system and slaughtered at a mean age of 21 months. The results reported that both studied effects had a significant (p < 0.05) impact on meat quality; however, it was the breed to strongly influence the majority of the parameters evaluated. In particular, BU foals reported the highest amounts of intramuscular fat, positively affecting the meat properties of marbling and texture traits. Moreover, this group presented higher values for L* and b* and the lowest cholesterol contents. As regards the diet, D1 increased the fat content in foals supplemented with this diet, improving the organoleptic properties of this group. On the other hand, the combination of silage and organic feed (D2) had an opposite trend. Thus, both BU and D1 groups presented enhanced quality attributes, such as marbling, juiciness and reduced hardness, which are some of the most demanded by meat consumers.
Open Access
A proteomic approach to identify biomarkers of foal meat quality: a focus on tenderness, color and intramuscular fat traits
(Elsevier, 2023) López Pedrouso, María; Lorenzo, José M.; Cittadini, Aurora; Sarriés Martínez, María Victoria; Gagaoua, Mohammed; Franco, Daniel; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Foal meat is considered a healthy alternative to other meat sources and more environmentally sustainable. However, its quality is highly variable and there is lack of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying its determination. Genotype and diet play a relevant role as the main factors that can allow a control of the final quality and the use of high-throughput analytical methods such as proteomics is a way to achieve this lofty goal. This research aimed to study-two breeds (Burguete and Jaca Navarra) supplemented with two different finishing diets: conventional concentrate and straw (C) vs silage and organic feed (S). The proteomic approach built a library of 294 proteins that were subjected to several statistical and bioinformatic analyses. Burguete breed finished with concentrate produced higher meat quality in terms of tenderness, intramuscular fat and color lightness mainly due to the high abundance of energy metabolic proteins. Tenderness was correlated to myofibrillar proteins (ACTA1, MYBPH, MYL1 and TNNC1) and energy metabolic proteins (ALDOA, CKM, TPI1 and PGMA2). Regarding color, the main pathways were energy metabolism, involving several glycolytic enzymes (ALDOA, PKM, PFKM and CKM). Oxidative stress and response to stress proteins (HSPA1A, SOD2 and PRDX2) were further involved in color variation. Moreover, we revealed that several proteins were related to the intramuscular fat accordingly to the breed. This study proposed several candidate protein biomarkers for foal meat quality that are worthy to evaluate in the future.
Open Access
Effect of slaughter age and finishing diet on sensory evaluation and consumers’ preference of foal meat
(Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 2019) Ruiz Darbonnens, Marta; Insausti Barrenetxea, Kizkitza; Beriain Apesteguía, María José; Crecente, Santiago; Lorenzo, José M.; Sarriés Martínez, María Victoria; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Aim of study: This study focused on the sensory evaluation and consumer preferences of foal meat depending on the animal slaughter age (13 and 26 months) and finishing diet (standard and linseed concentrate). Area of study: It was developed in two localities in the north of Spain: Orense and Pamplona. Material and methods: The sensory study was conducted by a 10-member trained and a 474-consumer panel. Main results: The trained panel described meat from both, 13 and 26-months old foals similar between each other. On the contrary, consumers considered meat from the younger group to be juicier and tenderer, being juiciness and tenderness (p<0.05), the most important clues for their global acceptance. No differences were found in either the trained or the consumer panel due to the finishing diet. The consumers test was carried out in two Spanish cities (Pamplona and Orense. Two scenarios were considered: without and with supplementary information about the foal meat production. The additional information disclosed about foal meat had a positive effect on Pamplona consumers’ assessments. Research highlights: City and information level are essential factors to introduce foal meat in the market. The lack of knowledge about foal meat and its low presence in meat markets make it necessary to develop further sensory studies; to obtain foal meat description patterns, and to get to know consumers’ likings.
Open Access
Lipid and protein oxidation marker compounds in horse meat determined by MIR spectroscopy
(MDPI, 2020) Jáuregui López, Irati; Zulategui Beñarán, Fernando; Beriain Apesteguía, María José; Sarriés Martínez, María Victoria; Beruete Díaz, Miguel; Insausti Barrenetxea, Kizkitza; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
This work broadens the study of lipid and protein oxidation marker compounds in foal meat, employing the technology of Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FT/MIR, shortened in the following as MIR). As a main objective, marker compounds from 23 foals were extracted and their absorbance spectra were measured to establish prediction models (calibration and validation) between them and classical quantification analysis of the compounds. Another objective was to ascertain whether a previous extraction of the marker compounds before executing their MIR analysis is preferable compared to direct MIR measurements on the raw meat samples. In this context, marker compound results (TBARS between 0.4387 and 2.1040, and carbonyls between 4.07 and 4.68) showed more consistent predictive models than the ones achieved using quantitative analysis of the spectra obtained from the raw meat. Lipid oxidation compounds predictive models obtained in this work offered an R-cv(2) of 63.18% and protein oxidation R-cv(2) obtained in this project showed a value of 54.24%. Thus, MIR technology arises as a promising tool to identify and quantify products derived from lipid and protein oxidation in fresh foal meat.