Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “MEAT”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Centralized packaging of retail meat cuts: a review.

Centralized packaging of retail meat cuts is growing more popular because of its economies and potential to maintain quality, enhance safety, and extend the shelf life of fresh meat. Requirements for optimizing shelf life of centrally prepared retail cuts for periods up to 15 weeks are slightly different from those needed to extend the shelf life of fresh, chilled meat. Chilled meat primarily deteriorate at the cut or uncut muscle surface. In long-term storage, primal cuts are placed in an atmosphere saturated with carbon dioxide and containing very low residual oxygen. These cuts are held at -1.5+/-0.5 degrees C. When the meat is removed, it is fabricated into retail or food service cuts. New fresh surfaces are created in the process, revitalizing the meat's appearance. After being prepared for retail display, the meat normally has four more days of shelf life. Depending on the meat species, shelf life is usually limited by development of undesirable organoleptic changes, usually defects in color, which are independent of microbial presence. The microbes consist of a lactic acid bacterial population that maximizes under storage conditions at about 10(8) CFU/cm2 well before shelf life ends. Circumstances are different with centralized distribution of retail-ready fresh meat. The wholesale storage period following initial packaging of the retail cuts is about 20 to 30 days. Prepared products must withstand retail display for up to 2 days without further manipulation of package contents. Retail packages are simply moved from their storage container (usually a unit or overwrap containing a modified atmosphere) to retail display, where desirable meat color develops upon exposure to air. Three gas atmospheres have some potential to satisfy storage needs for centralized distribution of retail-ready packages: 100% CO2, 100% N2, or 70% N2 + 30% CO2. Shelf life is limited by undesirable changes in surfaces exposed at initial packaging, caused by growth of psychrotrophic bacteria. If 100% CO2 is used, these are all lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Therefore, initial bacterial numbers on the meat and storage temperature become critical to success. The most attractive storage option is 100% CO2 used at - 1.5 +/-0.5 degrees C. This review presents the reason for that recommendation, along with basic concepts of meat chemistry, a discussion of modified atmosphere packaging, meat microbiology, and current results with simulated centralized packaging of retail-ready meats.

Food Packaging↗

Current attitudes and future influences on meat consumption in the U.K.

A survey of 1018 U.K. residents was conducted using the basic structure of the theory of reasoned action along with scenarios of possible future events investigating meat-eating and vegetarianism. Over a quarter (28%) of the sample considered themselves to be reducing meat consumption although a comparison of present and retrospective meat consumption indicated that less than a quarter of this group had cut down on a variety of meats in their diets over the past year. The attitudes related to present meat consumption were healthiness, taste, value for money and, to some extent, ethical issues. Healthiness, taste and concerns over additives were related to changes in meat consumption over the preceding year. Beliefs about the healthiness of meat were also related to reported changes in meat-eating behaviour when "something that could possibly happen in the future" was described. Future events found to affect people's estimated meat-eating were the availability of polyunsaturated meat and meat produced with strict safety guarantees, the former change being dependent on a constant price. Reductions in the fat content of meat or claims extolling the nutritional benefits of eating meat were not related to predicted future meat-eating.

Animals↗

Pork meat increases iron absorption from a 5-day fully controlled diet when compared to a vegetarian diet with similar vitamin C and phytic acid content.

Meat increases absorption of non-haem iron in single-meal studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate, over a 5 d period, the potential increasing effect of consumption of pork meat in a whole diet on the fractional absorption of non-haem iron and the total absorption of iron, when compared to a vegetarian diet. A randomised cross-over design with 3 x 5 d whole-diet periods with diets containing Danish-produced meat, Polish-produced meat or a vegetarian diet was conducted. Nineteen healthy female subjects completed the study. All main meals in the meat diets contained 60 g of pork meat and all diets had high phytic acid content (1250 mumol/d). All main meals were extrinsically labelled with the radioactive isotope (59)Fe and absorption of iron was measured in a whole body counter. The non-haem iron absorption from the Danish meat diet was significantly higher compared to the vegetarian diet (P=0.031). The mean fractional absorption of non-haem iron was 7.9 (se1.1), 6.8 (se 1.0) and 5.3 (se 0.6) % for the Danish and Polish meat diets and vegetarian diet, respectively. Total absorption of iron was higher for both meat diets compared to the vegetarian diet (Danish meat diet: P=0.006, Polish meat diet: P=0.003). The absorption ratios of the present study were well in accordance with absorption ratios estimated using algorithms on iron bioavailability. Neither the meat diets nor the vegetarian diets fulfilled the estimated daily requirements of absorbed iron in spite of a meat intake of 180 g/d in the meat diets.

Absorption↗

Effects of dietary functional ingredients and packaging methods on sensory characteristics and consumer acceptance of irradiated turkey breast meat.

Raw and cooked breast patties from turkeys fed 8 different diets [control; 200 IU/kg of vitamin E (VE); 0.3 mg/kg of Se; 2.5% conjugated linoleic acids (CLA); 200 IU/kg of VE + 0.3 mg/kg of Se; 200 IU/kg of VE + 2.5% CLA; 0.3 mg/kg of Se + 2.5% CLA; and 200 IU/kg of VE + 0.3 mg/kg of Se + 2.5% CLA] were treated with 2 irradiation doses (0 and 1.5 kGy) and 2 packaging methods (vacuum and aerobic). Raw and cooked samples from 32 treatments were tested by 8 trained sensory panelists for turkey aroma and irradiation off-aroma. Based on the sensory scores, the 3 dietary treatments producing the most and the least off-aroma were selected and used for a consumer acceptance study. Sensory results of raw meat showed that turkey aroma was intense in aerobically packaged meat, whereas irradiation off-aroma was intense with vacuum packaging. Raw meats from dietary treatments containing CLA (CLA, VE + CLA, Se + CLA, VE + Se + CLA) had greater turkey aroma scores, whereas those containing VE (VE and VE + Se) had lower scores than the control. Dietary treatments containing VE (VE, VE + Se, VE + Se + CLA) significantly lowered (P < 0.05) irradiation off-aroma in raw turkey breast meat, whereas CLA increased it, especially when the meats were packaged aerobically. In cooked meat, however, irradiation and packaging had no effect on turkey meat aroma and irradiation off-aroma. Cooked meat from turkeys supplemented with VE (VE and VE + Se) had less (P < 0.05) irradiation off-odor than other dietary treatments. Dietary CLA increased the irradiation off-aroma in cooked meat, which could not be reduced, even when VE and Se were combined in the diet. Irradiation off-aroma of raw meat was not pleasant for most consumers, and dietary supplementation of VE and VE + Se improved consumer acceptance of irradiated raw meat. For cooked meat samples, consumers preferred both color and flavor of irradiated meat to nonirradiated meat.

Animals↗

Survival and growth of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni on meat and in cooked foods.

Twelve strains of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni isolated from humans and animals grew at temperatures ranging from 34 to 45 degrees C and pH minima between 5.7 and 5.9. Only one strain grew at pH 5.8 with lactic acid present at a concentration similar to that in meat. All strains had decimal reduction times of less than 1 min at 60 degrees C. Further examination of a typical strain showed that it grew at 37 degrees C on high-pH meat but not at 37 degrees C on normal-pH meat. Bacterial numbers on both high (6.4)-pH and normal (5.8)-pH inoculated meat declined at a similar rate when the meat was stored at 25 degrees C. At -1 degree C, the rate of die-off was somewhat slower on normal-pH meat but was very much slower on high-pH meat. The initial fall in bacterial numbers that occurred when meat was frozen was also greater for normal-pH meat than for high-pH meat. The organism exhibited a long lag phase (1 to 2 days) when grown in cooked-meat medium at 37 degrees C and died in meat pies stored at 37 or 43 degrees C. Evaluation of the risk of Campylobacter contamination of red-meat carcasses to human health must take into account the limited potential of the organism to grow or even survive on fresh meats and in warm prepared foods.

Animals↗

Meat consumption and colorectal cancer risk: dose-response meta-analysis of epidemiological studies.

The hypothesis that consumption of red and processed meat increases colorectal cancer risk is reassessed in a meta-analysis of articles published during 1973-99. The mean relative risk (RR) for the highest quantile of intake vs. the lowest was calculated and the RR per gram of intake was computed through log-linear models. Attributable fractions and preventable fractions for hypothetical reductions in red meat consumption in different geographical areas were derived using the RR log-linear estimates and prevalence of red meat consumption from FAO data and national dietary surveys. High intake of red meat, and particularly of processed meat, was associated with a moderate but significant increase in colorectal cancer risk. Average RRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the highest quantile of consumption of red meat were 1.35 (CI: 1.21-1.51) and of processed meat, 1.31 (CI: 1.13-1.51). The RRs estimated by log-linear dose-response analysis were 1.24 (CI: 1.08-1.41) for an increase of 120 g/day of red meat and 1.36 (CI: 1.15-1.61) for 30 g/day of processed meat. Total meat consumption was not significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk. The risk fraction attributable to current levels of red meat intake was in the range of 10-25% in regions where red meat intake is high. If average red meat intake is reduced to 70 g/week in these regions, colorectal cancer risk would hypothetically decrease by 7-24%.

Case-Control Studies↗

Urinary mutagenesis and fried red meat intake: influence of cooking temperature, phenotype, and genotype of metabolizing enzymes in a controlled feeding study.

Meat cooked at high temperatures contains potential carcinogenic compounds, such as heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Samples from a 2-week controlled feeding study were used to examine the relationship between the intake of mutagenicity from meat fried at different temperatures and the levels of mutagenicity subsequently detected in urine, as well as the influence of the genotype of drug metabolizing enzymes on urinary mutagenicity. Sixty subjects consumed ground beef patties fried at low temperature (100 degrees C) for 1 week, followed by ground beef patties fried at high temperature (250 degrees C) the second week. Mutagenicity in the meat was assayed in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 (+S9), and urinary mutagenicity was determined using Salmonella YG1024 (+S9). Genotypes for NAT1, NAT2, GSTM1, and UGT1A1 were analyzed using blood samples from the subjects. Meat fried at 100 degrees C was not mutagenic, whereas meat fried at 250 degrees C was mutagenic (1023 rev/g). Unhydrolyzed and hydrolyzed urine samples were 22x and 131x more mutagenic, respectively, when subjects consumed red meat fried at 250 degrees C compared with red meat fried at 100 degrees C. We found that hydrolyzed urine was approximately 8x more mutagenic than unhydrolyzed urine, likely due to the deconjugation of mutagens from glucuronide. The intake of meat cooked at high temperature correlated with the mutagenicity of unhydrolyzed urine (r = 0.32, P = 0.01) and hydrolyzed urine (r = 0.34, P = 0.008). Mutagenicity in unhydrolyzed urine was not influenced by NAT1, NAT2, or GSTM1 genotypes. However, a UGT1A1*28 polymorphism that reduced UGT1A1 expression and conjugation modified the effect of intake of meat cooked at high temperature on mutagenicity of unhydrolyzed urine (P for interaction = 0.04). These mutagenicity data were also compared with previously determined levels of HCAs (measured as MeIQx, DiMeIQx, and PhIP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the meat, levels of HCAs in the urine, and CYP1A2 and NAT2 phenotypes. The levels of mutagenicity in the meat fried at low and high temperatures correlated with levels of HCAs, but not levels of PAHs, in the meat. Also, levels of mutagenicity in unhydrolyzed urine correlated with levels of MeIQx in unhydrolyzed urine (r = 0.36; P = 0.01), and the levels of mutagenicity of hydrolyzed urine correlated with levels of MeIQx (r = 0.34; P = 0.01) and PhIP (r = 0.43; P = 0.001) of hydrolyzed urine. Mutagenicity in unhydrolyzed urine was not influenced by either the CYP1A2 or NAT2 phenotype. The data from this study indicate that urinary mutagenicity correlates with mutagenic exposure from cooked meat and can potentially be used as a marker in etiological studies on cancer.

Animals↗

Incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in different types of meat products on the Belgian retail market.

A survey was undertaken to determine the incidence and numbers of L. monocytogenes in a variety of meat products (cooked meat products, raw cured meat products (dried or not), mayonnaise based salads and prepared meals). As expected, raw cured meat products were significantly higher contaminated with L. monocytogenes than cooked meat products, 13.71% (113/824) and 4.90% (167/3405), respectively. Also a larger proportion of raw cured meat product samples contained a high initial level of the pathogen ( > 10 cfu/g). Higher incidence rates were obtained for whole cooked meat products (e.g. cooked ham, bacon) after slicing than before slicing, 6.65 and 1.56%, respectively, indicating cross-contamination. Due to multiple handling and processing steps, the incidence rate of the pathogen was higher for cooked minced meat products than for whole cooked meat products, 6.14 and 3.96%, respectively. No significant differences were obtained in the incidence of L. monocytogenes in whole cured meat products (e.g., raw ham) and minced cured meat products (e.g., dry fermented sausage), 14.92 and 11.69%, respectively. Lower incidence rates of L. monocytogenes were obtained for raw, cured meat products using beef or horse meat, 4.65 and 5.88%, respectively, A high incidence rate of L. monocytogenes was noted for the mayonnaise based salads (21.28% (186/874)) as well as for prepared meals (11.70% (92/786)), the latter especially due to contamination of vegetarian meals.

Animals↗

High-meat diets and cancer risk.

Up to 80% of breast, bowel and prostate cancers are attributed to dietary practices, and international comparisons show strong positive associations with meat consumption. Estimates of relative risk obtained from cohort investigations are in the same direction, although generally weak, and red and processed meats rather than white meat seem to be associated with elevated risk of colon cancer. In breast cancer, there are consistent associations with total meat intake and there is evidence of a dose response. Despite these associations with meat, existing studies suggest that vegetarians do not have reduced risk of breast, bowel or prostate cancer, but there are no quantitative estimates of amounts of meat consumed by meat eaters in these cohort studies. Possible mechanisms underlying epidemiological associations include the formation of heterocyclic amines in meat when it is cooked. These heterocyclic amines require acetylation by P450 enzymes, and individuals with the fast-acetylating genotype who eat high amounts of meat may be at increased risk of large-bowel cancer. NH3 and N-nitroso compounds (NOC) formed from residues by bacteria in the large bowel and probably also important. NH3 is a promotor of large-bowel tumours chemically induced by NOC, and some of the chromosomal mutations found in human colo-rectal cancer are consistent with effects of NOC and heterocyclic amines. However, the type, amount, and cooking method of meat or protein associated with increased risk are not certain. The effects of high levels of meat on NH3 and NOC output are not reduced by increasing the amount of fermentable carbohydrate in the diet, but interaction between meat, NSP and vegetable intakes on the risk of cancer has not been studied comprehensively. The interaction between dietary low-penetrance genetic polymorphic and somatic mutation factors has also been investigated to a limited extent. Current Department of Health (1998) recommendations are that meat consumption should not rise, and that consumers at the top end of the distribution should consider a reduction in intakes.

Breast Neoplasms↗

GSTM1 null genotype, red meat consumption and breast cancer risk (The Netherlands).

OBJECTIVE: We studied whether polymorphisms in N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 and Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 genes modify the association between meat consumption and breast cancer. METHODS: A nested case control was conducted in a Dutch prospective cohort. Breast cancer cases (229) and controls (264) were frequency matched on age, town and menopausal status. RESULTS: There is no relation between any type of meat consumption ( i.e., total meat, processed meat, fresh meat, red meat and white meat) and breast cancer risk. Neither presence of NAT1 or NAT2 rapid genotype, or GSTT1 null genotype, alone or in combination with meat consumption affects breast cancer risk. Absence of GSTM1 shows 46% increased breast cancer risk (OR = 1.46 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 1.02-2.09)). When stratifying according to combined 'GSTM1 genotype-meat consumption' categories, breast cancer risk is slightly increased with consumption of red meat both in women with genotype GSTM1 presence (OR = 1.49 and 1.75 for intermediate and high versus low consumption) and in GSTM1 null genotype (OR = 1.18 and 1.02). These increases are statistically not significant. In postmenopausal women a suggestion of an effect of red meat consumption is observed: effects are slightly stronger, although still not statistically significant and without a clear dose-response relation: OR = 1.79 (95% CI = 0.92-3.50) and 1.46 (1.46 (95% CI = 0.76-2.82) for intermediate and high compared to low red meat consumption respectively. Reliable evaluation of interaction is not possible due to the small number of cancers. CONCLUSION: GSTM1 null genotype increases breast cancer risk. Red meat consumption slightly increases breast cancer risk, but the relation is not statistically significant and GSTM1, NAT1, NAT2 and GSTT1 polymorphisms do not modify this relation.

Adult↗

[Retrospective evaluation of the results of the microbiological meat examination (MFU) from calves and cows].

The microbiological meat examination (MFU), consisting of a bacteriological analysis and a testing for antibiotic residues, is one of several additional analyses used for an edibility rating of carcasses made during meat inspection. Reasons for performing a microbiological meat examination and procedures in the laboratory are defined in the Swiss ordinance for meat examination (FUV). The aim of this study was to analyze the data of 313 microbiological meat examinations from calves and 2882 microbiological meat examinations from cows carried out at the Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene during a period of 8 years. Reasons for microbiological meat examinations as reported by the meat inspectors were mainly classified to the category of "inflammation and necroses" (FUV, Annex 4, Pt 1.2; calves: 73%, cows: 48%). As declarations of the age of the pathological-anatomical changes (that influences directly the probability of detection of pathogens) were generally missing, it is not surprising that the compliance between a particular pathological-anatomical change and a specific detection of pathogens is poor (calves: 19%, cows: 18% of all MFU). About 18% (calves) and 45% (cows) of the reasons for microbiological meat examinations did not correspond to one of the reasons mentioned in the ordinance for meat examination. However, according to the data set, some reasons require a microbiological meat examination due to an often-found specific detection of pathogens. Otherwise, a remarkable number of reasons mentioned were missing the link to bacteriological etiology. Moreover, 14% (calf) and 7% (cow) of microbiological meat examinations with the declaration "no pretreatment" as well as 15% (calf) and 11% (cow) of microbiological meat examinations without declaration showed a positive result in the testing for antibiotic residues.

Animals↗

Low body mass index in non-meat eaters: the possible roles of animal fat, dietary fibre and alcohol.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of diet and other lifestyle factors with body mass index (BMI) using data from the Oxford Vegetarian Study. SUBJECTS: 1914 male and 3378 female non-smokers aged 20-89 y at recruitment to the study. MEASUREMENTS: All subjects completed a diet/lifestyle questionnaire at recruitment giving details of their usual diet and other characteristics including height and weight, smoking and drinking habits, amount of exercise, occupation and reproductive history. Answers to the food frequency questionnaire were used to classify subjects as either meat eaters or non-meat eaters, and to estimate intakes of animal fat and dietary fibre. Subjects were further classified according to their alcohol consumption, exercise level, social class, past smoking habits and parity. RESULTS: Mean BMI was lower in non-meat eaters than in meat eaters in all age groups for both men and women. Overall age-adjusted mean BMIs in kg/m2 were 23.18 and 22.05 for male meat eaters and non-meat eaters respectively (P < 0.0001) and 22.32 and 21.32 for female meat eaters and non-meat eaters respectively (P < 0.0001). In addition to meat consumption, dietary fibre intake, animal fat intake, social class and past smoking were all independently associated with BMI in both men and women; alcohol consumption was independently associated with BMI in men, and parity was independently associated with BMI in women. After adjusting for these factors, the differences in mean BMI between meat eaters and non-meat eaters were reduced by 36% in men and 31% in women. CONCLUSIONS: Non-meat eaters are thinner than meat eaters. This may be partly due to a higher intake of dietary fibre, a lower intake of animal fat, and only in men a lower intake of alcohol.

Adult↗

Total zinc absorption in young women, but not fractional zinc absorption, differs between vegetarian and meat-based diets with equal phytic acid content.

Zn bioavailability is often lower in vegetarian diets mainly due to low Zn and high phytic acid contents. The objective of the present study was to determine the fractional and total absorption of Zn from a vegetarian diet in comparison with meat diets with equal concentrations of phytic acid. A randomized cross-over design, comprising three whole-day diet periods of 5 d each, with a vegetarian diet or diets containing Polish-produced meat or Danish-produced meat, was conducted. Twelve healthy female subjects completed the study. All diets had a high content of phytic acid (1250 micromol/d) and in the meat diets the main meals contained 60 g pork meat. All main meals were extrinsically labelled with the radioactive isotope 65Zn and absorption of Zn was measured in a whole-body counter. The mean Zn content of the whole-day diet was: Polish meat diet 9.9 (SE 0.14) mg, Danish meat diet 9.4 (SE 0.19) mg and vegetarian diet 7.5 (SE 0.18) mg. No difference was observed in the fractional absorption of Zn (Polish meat diet: 27 (SE 1.2) %, Danish meat diet: 27 (SE 1.9) % and vegetarian diet: 23 (SE 2.6) %). A significantly lower amount of total Zn was absorbed from the vegetarian diet (mean Zn absorption of Polish meat diet: 2.7 (SE 0.12) mg/d (P<0.001), Danish meat diet: 2.6 (SE 0.17) mg/d (P=0.006) and vegetarian diet: 1.8 (SE 0.20) mg/d). In conclusion, the vegetarian diet compared with the meat-based diets resulted in lower amounts of absorbed Zn due to a higher content of Zn in the meat diets, but no difference was observed in the fractional absorption of Zn.

Adult↗

Emotions generated by meat and other food products in women.

Eating behaviour depends partly on food preference, which is itself determined by different types of emotions. Among the emotions generated by food, disgust with red meat is common in women and can lead to reduced meat consumption. We tested the hypothesis that low meat intake is related to different negative emotions towards meat but does not affect the emotions expressed towards other food categories. Food intake of sixty women was followed throughout each day for 1 week and allowed us to assign women to two groups (low v. high meat-eating women). They were then invited to assess the intensity of twenty-six emotions described by words and induced by thirty food pictures. We determined the number of necessary dimensions to describe the space created by the twenty-six words. The results showed differences in emotions between the low and high meat-eating women. As expected, there were overall differences in the emotions generated by the thirty food pictures. Six clusters of emotions were necessary and sufficient to summarise the emotional space. These dimensions were described by 'disappointment', 'satisfaction', 'guilt', 'doubt', 'amused' and 'indifference'. As expected, the low meat-eating women felt more 'disappointment', 'indifference' and less 'satisfaction' towards meat than did the high meat-eating women. However, the low meat-eating women also stated other negative emotions such as 'doubt' towards some starchy foods. The only foods that they liked more than high meat-eating women were pears and French beans. In conclusion, low meat consumption was associated with specific negative emotions regarding meat and other foods.

Adolescent↗

Rheological characteristics of fresh and frozen PSE, normal and DFD chicken breast meat.

1. Textural and rheological differences among broiler breast meat ranging from pale, soft and exudative (PSE) to dark, firm and dry (DFD) in their fresh and frozen (and thawed) forms were investigated. 2. The PSE meat showed significantly higher lightness values and lower pH and water holding capacity values than normal and DFD meats; DFD meat was also significantly different from normal meat. 3. During cooking, PSE meat lost significantly more liquid and produced a softer gel than normal or DFD meats; texture profile analysis parameters were lower for the PSE meat. 4. The storage modulus values (G', rigidity of elastic response of the gelling material) showed that DFD meat produced a more rigid gel during cooking (especially above 54 degrees C) and later during cooling (back to 30 degrees C) compared with the PSE meat. 5. Freezing resulted in a trend of lower G' values before, during and after cooking. The results indicated that meat proteins were damaged during freezing and PSE meat was more severely affected, or that more protein denaturation occurred in the PSE meat.

Animals↗

Dietary versus post-mortem use of oregano oil and/or alpha-tocopherol in turkeys to inhibit development of lipid oxidation in meat during refrigerated storage.

The dietary and post-mortem uses of oregano oil in turkeys to inhibit development of lipid oxidation in breast and thigh meat during refrigerated storage were investigated. Using minced meat, patties were prepared from turkey meat post-mortem added with either 200 mg oregano oil or alpha-tocopherol/kg, meat from turkeys dietary supplemented with either 200 mg oregano oil or alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed, and control meat. All patties were cooked, placed in a refrigerated cabinet at 4 degrees C, and lipid oxidation was assessed by monitoring malondialdehyde formation after 3, 6 and 9 days of storage. Treatments significantly (P<0.05) retarded lipid oxidation in both breast and thigh meat patties at all storage times compared with controls. The dietary supplementation of either oregano oil or alpha-tocopheryl acetate exhibited the highest antioxidative activity compared with the other treatments. Post-mortem addition of either oregano oil or alpha-tocopherol to the minced meat also retarded lipid oxidation in the prepared patties compared with controls; however, this effect was inferior to that of the dietary supplementation even though the post-mortem alpha-tocopherol supplemented meat contained 90-fold more alpha-tocopherol than patties from the dietary supplemented meat. Thigh meat was more susceptible to oxidation than breast meat, although the former contained alpha-tocopherol at markedly higher levels. Supplementing the diet with 200 mg oregano oil/kg, alpha-tocopherol levels in the breast and thigh meat significantly (P<0.05) increased compared with control. This increase could not be attributed to the alpha-tocopherol already present in the oregano oil since post-mortem addition of oregano oil to control breast and thigh meat at the same dose could not actually increase the alpha-tocopherol concentrations.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

Does increased endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds in the human colon explain the association between red meat and colon cancer?

High red meat diets have been linked with risk of sporadic colorectal cancer; but their effects on mutations which occur in this cancer are unknown. G-->A transitions in K-ras occur in colorectal cancer and are characteristic of the effects of alkylating agents such as N-nitroso compounds (NOC). We studied th effect of red meat consumption on faecal NOC levels in eight male volunteers who consumed diets low or high in meat (60 or 600 g/day), as beef, lamb or pork, whilst living in a metabolic suite. Increased intake of red meat induced a significant (P<0.024) 3-fold increase from 40 + or - 7 to ab average of 113 + or - 25 microgram/day NOC, a range of exposure in faeces similar to that from tobacco-specific NOC in cigarette smoke. THe diets were isoenergetic and contained equal amounts of fat, but concentrations of heterocyclic amines were low. Faecal excretion of the promotor ammonia was significantly increased to 6.5 + or - 1.08 mmol/day. When the high red meat diets were supplemented with 20 g phytate-free wheat bran in six volunteers there was no reduction in NOC levels (mean 138 + or - 41 microgram/day NOC), but faecal weight increased. Higher starch and non-starch polysaccharide intakes reduced intraluminal cross-linking in microcapsules (r=-0.77) and reduced faecal pH (r=-0.64). In two volunteers there was no effect of 600 g white meat and fish o faecal NOC (mean low white meat diet 68 + or - 10 microgram/day, high white meat 56 + or -6 microgram/day nor on faecal nitrate, nitrite and iron. Faecal nitrite levels increased on changing from a white to red meat diet (mean high white meat diet 46 + or - 7 mg/day, high red meat diet mean 80 + or - 7 mg/day.) Increased endogenous production of NOC and precursors from increased red meat, but not white meat and fish, consumption may be relevant to the aetiology of colorectal cancer.

Adult↗

Formation of cholesterol oxides in irradiated raw and cooked chicken meat during storage.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of electron-beam irradiation on the oxidation of cholesterol in raw and cooked chicken meats with different packaging and storage times. Patties were prepared with skinless chicken breasts and legs. Half of the patties were used for raw meat study and the other half for cooked meat work. For cooked samples, patties were cooked in an electric oven to an internal temperature of 70 C. Raw and cooked meat patties were either aerobically or vacuum-packaged before irradiation. Irradiated patties were stored at 4 C up to 2 wk, and the amounts of cholesterol oxides in the patties were analyzed at 0, 7, and 14 d of storage. In raw chicken meat with vacuum packaging, 7beta-hydroxycholesterol and beta-epoxide were the only two cholesterol oxides present in significant amounts. In raw chicken meat with aerobic packaging, 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol and 7-keiocholesterol, which were not detected in vacuum-packaged raw chicken meat, were found. 7beta-Hydroxycholesterol in raw chicken meat was increased by irradiation and storage time, regardless of packaging. The kinds of cholesterol oxides found in cooked meat were basically the same as those found in raw chicken, but the levels in cooked meats at all storage time were higher than those of the raw meats. With vacuum packaging, irradiation had no consistent effect on the amount of beta-epoxide, 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol, or 7-ketocholesterol, but storage significantly influenced the amount of 7-ketocholesterol, 7beta-hydroxycholesterol, and total cholesterol oxides in cooked chicken meat. With aerobic packaging, irradiation significantly increased the formation of 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol, 7beta-hydroxycholesterol, and 7-ketocholesterol in cooked meat stored for 0 and 7 d. After 14 d of storage, however, irradiation had minor effects on the formation of cholesterol oxides in aerobically packaged cooked chicken.

Animals↗