Based on the analysis of the proximate composition, mineral contents and fatty acid profiles, the objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of the traditional product Carp Ham produced from common carp raw fillets. Significant differences were found in the proximate composition and mineral contents between the raw fillets and the final product. The contents of protein, fat and ash in 100 g of the traditional product (21.94, 8.63 and 6.58 g) were higher (P<0.01) than in fillets (19.28, 1.53 and 1.22 g), with an exception of the moisture content (63.60 vs. 77.79 g). Significantly higher energetic value showed Carp Ham (692 kJ/100 g) as compared to fillets (384 kJ/100 g). Carp fillet and Ham showed high values of the index of nutritive quality (INQ) for protein (8.43 and 5.44). Processing had a significant influence (P<0.05) on the decrease of K, Mg and Ca contents in Carp Ham (3107.8, 236.2 and 107.7 mg/kg), and the increase of Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations (2.10, 3.10, 0.50 and 0.16 mg/kg). Among the fatty acids, the only significant differences were stated for C20:1n-9 (2.22 vs. 1.76%) and C22:6n-3 (1.34 vs. 0.83%), with the higher values determined for fillets. The traditional product, Carp Ham, preserved positive nutritional features, which were better highlighted by the fatty acid composition, health-related indices and oxidative stability. The study indicated that the traditional manufacturing method retains the most part of the nutritional constituents present in the carp fillets

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of methods of heat treatment on selected quality parameters of longissimus thoracis muscle of Limousin calves, subjected to grilling, steaming, and sous vide cooking. The type of heat treatment did not significantly affect shear force or water activity. Cooking loss in the grilled and steamed meat was significantly higher than in the sous vide. While the content of vitamin E was significantly lower in the cooked meat, it was retained to the greatest degree in the grilled meat and least in the steamed meat. The TBARS index significantly increased during all cooking methods with the highest level in steamed meat. The sensory analysis revealed a preference for the sous vide and grilled meat, while the steamed meat received the lowest scores. Although veal is commonly assumed to be highly nutritious and palatable, its quality can be significantly influenced by the type of heat treatment.

Packaging material should guarantee the longest possible shelf life of food and help to maintain its quality. The aim of the study was to assess the physicochemical changes taking place during 28-day ageing of beef steaks packed in two types of multilayer films containing biodegradable polymers - polylactic acid (NAT/PLA) and Mater-Bi® (NAT/MBI). The control group consisted of steaks packed in synthetic polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) film. The samples stored in NAT/PLA had significantly lower purge loss than the control samples and the lowest expressible water amount after 14 and 21 days. Following blooming, the most favourable colour was shown in steaks stored in NAT/MBI, with the highest values for the L*, a* and C* parameters and the R630/580 ratio, a high proportion of oxymyoglobin, and the lowest share of metmyoglobin. All steaks, regardless of the type of packaging material, had acceptable tenderness and were stable in terms of lipid oxidation.

The occurrence of the DFD defect shortens microbiological stability and reduces consumer acceptance of meat. The effect of a chokeberry leaf extract (ChLE) addition at concentrations of 0.01 %, 0.05 % and 0.1 % on the sensory and physicochemical properties of burgers prepared from DFD meat during refrigerated storage under vacuum for 10 days was assessed. The pH, water activity, texture, colour, degree of lipid oxidation, and content of α-tocopherol were measured. The extract at concentrations of 0.05 % and 0.1 % significantly influenced lower levels of lipid oxidation and higher content of α-tocopherol on each tested period. Moreover, these concentrations had a beneficial effect on the instrumental and sensory evaluation of texture parameters and on overall quality. It was concluded that the addition of 0.1 % extract was the most beneficial over the entire 10-day storage period. In summary, use of ChLE may reduce the loss of raw meat caused by DFD defect.

The aim of the study was to compare the content of major components, selected elements and heavy metals in the fillet, spine and bones of a carp (Cyprinus carpio). Moreover, the extent to which a prepared portion of carp tissue (100 g of fillet and 10 g of carp spine or bones) met the requirements for analyzed elements in adults (women and men) and children was calculated. The proximate composition (total protein, total lipid, ash, moisture) and mineral content of the fish samples were determined. The nutrient composition presented fluctuations among the different tissues. Moisture was the main constituent in the fillet and in the spine with 77.8% and 56.0%, respectively, whereas in bones, the main ingredient was ash (36.2%). All carp tissues were good sources of protein, with 16.5%, 21.0% and 17.0% in spine, bones and fillet, respectively. The most abundant main elements were the potassium in the fillet (4005 mg kg⁻¹) and calcium in the bones (116,463 mg kg⁻¹). The most abundant trace elements were iron in fillet and zinc in bones and spine. Carp meat can be considered a safe foodstuff in terms of concentrations of Hg, Pb and Cd, as the levels of these contaminants were less than FAO and European Commission maximum guidelines.

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of the addition of fish raw materials (roe or fish meat) on the quality and nutritional value of pork pâtés. The control group (n = 4) consisted of pork pâtés, I experimental group (n = 6) of pâtés with 20% addition of roe (perch and pike), and II group of pâtés with 20% addition of fish (perch and pike meat) (n = 6). The pâtés’ pH, color, and profiled texture analysis were instrumentally measured and water, protein, fat, ash, and fatty acid content were determined by reference methods. To assess the oxidative stability of lipids the measurement of peroxide number, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and content of conjugated dienes and trienes was used. The degree of fat hydrolysis was determined on the basis of acid value. Sensory analysis was carried out using the scaling method, taking into account 12 unit quality characteristics. Products with roe and meat contained less fat (accordingly 15.9% and 14.1%) and showed lower calorific value (accordingly 225.6 and 208.6 kcal/100 g) compared to pork pâtés (20.2% of lipids, 267 kcal/100 g). Moreover, the addition of fish raw materials improved the index of nutritional quality for protein (from 3.2 to 3.9) and beneficially reduced the nutritional index for fat (from 2.2 to 1.9). Fish constituents modified, to a certain extent, the color, texture, and sensory properties of pâtés, while maintaining full acceptability in consumer assessment. The addition of fish roe significantly increased the healthful quality by improving the fatty acid profile of pâtés, in which the significantly highest content of n-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (accordingly 252.21, 43.17, and 107.94 mg/100 g product), as well the highest concentration of saturated branched chain fatty acids were determined (18.75 mg/100 g product).