Estudos recentes indicam que os peptídeos obtidos pela hidrolise enzimática da caseína podem apresentar atividades antioxidantes. Neste trabalho, previamente obteve-se os peptídeos através de hidrolise da caseína utilizando as enzimas Alcalase e Flavourzyme (4h, a 50ºC e pH 8), selecionando os que apresentaram as melhores características, in vitro, relativas à atividade antioxidante. A hidrolise enzimática utilizando a enzima Flavourzyme mostrou melhores resultados, com alto valor de proteína solúvel e conteúdo de aminoácidos livres, além de peptídeos de menor peso molecular do que com a Alcalase, como observado nas análises de cromatografia de permeação em gel e eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida. Os peptídeos de caseína obtidos com a Flavourzyme também apresentaram melhores resultados utilizando o método ABTS na determinação da capacidade antioxidante. O hidrolisado obtido a partir da enzima Flavourzyme foi aplicado em produtos cárneos e em chocolate branco. Em produtos cárneos, os peptídeos de caseína (2.0%) inibiram, efetivamente, a peroxidação lipídica em carne moída (100%) e em carne mecanicamente separada de ave (CMS) (cerca de 20%) indicando que estes peptídeos podem ser utilizados nestes produtos, auxiliando na prevenção da formação de flavor desagradável e aumentando sua vida útil. Relativamente a sua aplicação em chocolate branco, esta adição teve o intuito de inibir escurecimento deste produto, fator considerado como limitante na sua vida-útil sendo conseqüência tanto de reações de escurecimento não enzimático quanto da oxidação de lipídeos. Os parâmetros que indicaram alteração lipidica e reações não enzimáticas foram mensurados em três diferentes amostras de chocolate branco: uma amostra com 0,2%, de manteiga de cacau, de antioxidante sintético Grindox 562, outra com 0,2%, de manteiga de cacau, dos peptídeos de caseína e a terceira amostra sem qualquer tipo de antioxidante. As amostras foram expostas a duas temperaturas diferentes: 20 ± 2 e 28 ± 2ºC. Os resultados das análises realizadas indicaram que as amostras armazenadas à temperatura de 20ºC apresentaram resultados significativamente melhores àqueles das amostras armazenadas à temperatura de 28ºC, relativos ao índice de acidez, à atividade de água, ao índice de peróxido, à cor e às substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), indicando melhor conservação deste produto. Também foi observado que a adição de quaisquer dos antioxidantes empregados não influenciou de forma significativa os resultados obtidos, evidenciandose assim, que o principal parâmetro responsável pelas alterações do chocolate branco em sua vida útil refere-se à temperatura de armazenamento a qual as amostras foram submetidas. / Recent studies indicate that peptides obtained by casein hydrolysis may have antioxidant activity. In this work, previous casein peptides were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis using Alcalase and Flavourzyme (4h, at 50ºC and pH 8), selecting the ones that showed the best characteristics in vitro, related to the antioxidant activity. The enzymatic hydrolysis using Flavourzyme showed the best results, with higher soluble protein and free amino acid content and producing lower molecular weight peptides than Alcalase, as observed by gel permeation chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Related to its application in meat products, casein peptides obtained with Flavourzyme also exhibited greater antioxidant capacity using the ABTS method. The casein hydrolyzed from Flavourzyme enzyme was applicated in ground beef homogenates, mechanically deboned meat (MDM) of poultry and white chocolate. In meat products, casein peptides (2.0%) effectively inhibited lipid peroxidation in ground beef homogenates (100%) and mechanically deboned meat (about 20%) of poultry. Casein peptides may be useful in meat processing as another naturally occurring antioxidant, helping to prevent off-flavor formation in meat products and increasing shelf life. In the use for white chocolate, the goal was to inhibit its browning, the main problems that limit the white chocolate’s shelf-life. Non-enzymatic browning reaction and lipid oxidation were involved directly in the browning of white chocolate. Thus, parameters which indicated fat alteration and non-enzymatic reactions were measured in three different samples of white chocolate. One sample with 0,2% of cocoa butter, with the synthetic antioxidant Grindox 562, other with 0,2% of cocoa butter, with the natural antioxidant and the third sample without any kind of antioxidant. The samples were exposed to two different temperatures: 20 ± 2 and 28 ± 2ºC. The results of the analysis made indicated that the samples stored at the temperature of 20ºC showed results significantly better to those samples stored at the temperature of 28ºC, related to the conservation of the white chocolate. Besides, the results indicated that the addition of any antioxidants employees has not influenced in a significant way the results obtained. Thus, it was evidenced that the main responsible parameter for the alterations of the white chocolate’s shelf-life is related to the storage temperature to which the samples were submitted.

Doctor of Philosophy / Food Science Program / Daniel Y.C. Fung / Curtis L. Kastner / This dissertation was designed to evaluate antimicrobial, quality, and shelf life effects of controlled phase carbon dioxide (CPCO2) on beef trimmings destined for ground beef. Critical parameters included pressure, temperature, exposure times, modified atmosphere conditions, and days of simulated retail display. 1500 psi CPCO2 for 15 min achieved 0.83, 0.96, 1.00, and 1.06 log reductions for Total Plate Count (TPC), Generic E. coli (GEC), E. coli O157:H7 (O157), and Salmonella spp. (SS), respectively. Bacterial reductions in ground beef and beef trimmings were similar (P≥0.05). CIE L*, a*, and b* values in raw patties showed no differences (P≥0.05) immediately after CPCO2 application on beef trimmings. Nevertheless, significant (P<0.05) interactions were found in pressure by packaging for L*, in pressure by packaging by days of simulated retail display for a*, and in packaging by days of simulated retail display for b* scores. Nevertheless, after 5 days of simulated retail display, L*, a*, and reflectance (630/580nm) ratios were similar for all treatments (P≥0.05), and b* scores were most acceptable with 1500 CPCO2 (P≥0.05), regardless of the packaging conditions. After 5 days of display, cooked patties showed similar (P≥0.05) values for crude protein (%CP) and crude fat (%CF), the extent of lipid oxidation (TBARS), was higher (P0.05) in aerobic trays than flushed packages with 100% CO2. Ground beef patties manufactured from beef trimmings treated with CPCO2scored higher values for tenderness (P0.05) than other treatments. In addition, no differences (P0.05) for juiciness, beef flavor intensity, or off flavor intensity were found between non-treated and the 1500 psi CPCO2 treated patties. Microbial control of spoilage organisms and foodborne pathogens in ground beef patties with CPCO2 application in beef trimmings was effective (0.6 to 1.2 logs). Lethality levels are comparable to other intervention strategies. Discoloration of beef trimmings after CPCO2 application may not be a concern for grinding purposes. Further packaging with 100% CO2 is viable for controlling spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms after packaging and during refrigerated storage, although discoloration of raw ground beef patties packaged with 100% CO2 may be a concern for product marketing.