Chitosan is a fiber-like product made from ground shrimp shells that inhibits fat absorption. By Rory Harrington, 28-Jan-2011
Chitosan-based edible coatings and films have real promise in combating Listeria monocytogenes (LM) in cold-smoked salmon, according to new research.
[Chitosan , Gelatin & Isinglass "all not kosher" also acts as a clarifying agent and has been added for years to apple juice and pear juice. That's why juices suddenly started needing a hashgocho.]
The study by Haiqiang Chen et al, published in the Journal of Food Science, found that use of chitosan, particularly when used in coatings, was able to inhibit the growth of LM and could potentially be an effective tool for the fish processing sector in efforts to tackle the bacteria.
The group said they launched the project as LM-contamination of ready-to-eat foods, such as cold-smoked salmon, is a common cause of foodbourne illness outbreaks and usually occurs in the post-processing phase. In 2009 the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that 15 per cent of all smoked fish is tainted with LM.
Chitosan is a natural polymer obtained by deacetylation of chitin, which is the major constituent of the exoskeleton of crustaceans. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in various acidic solvents such as dilute hydrochloric, formic, and acetic acids.
Chitosan efficacy
The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of chitosan-based edible coatings and films incorporating three generally recognized as safe (GRAS) antimicrobials; sodium lactate (SL), sodium diacetate (SD), and potassium sorbate (PS), against L. monocytogenes on cold-smoked salmon.
Salmon samples were surface-inoculated with a 5-strain cocktail of LM to a final concentration of 4.4 log CFU/cm2 and then either coated with chitosan solutions or wrapped with chitosan films with or without the antimicrobials. The samples were then vacuum packaged and stored at 4°C for 30 days.
The scientists found that chitosan coatings, with or without the antimicrobials, consistently showed higher efficacy against LM than chitosan films with the same compositions.
Chitosan films containing 1.2 per cent SL/0.25 per SD or 2.4 per cent per SL, achieved ≥ 1.3 log reductions of LM during refrigerated storage period, said the group.
However, chitosan coatings containing 1.2 per cent SL/0.25 per cent SD or 0.15 per cent PS/0.125 per cent SD, were more effective and achieved ≥ 2.8 log reductions.
“Our research thus holds great promise to enhance the microbiological safety of RTE fishery products,” said the study.
Control of Listeria monocytogenes on cold-smoked salmon using chitosan-based antimicrobial coatings and films by Zheng Jiang, Hudaa Neetoo, Haiqiang Chen, published by Journal of Food Science, Vol. 76, Nr. 1, 2011/ DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2010.01925.x
10 comments:
Chitosan also acts as a clarifying agent and has been added for years to apple juice and pear juice. That's why juices suddenly started needing a hashgocho.
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20110125/NEWS04/301259964
The state Department of Agriculture & Markets has shut down operations at a kosher plant here & may revoke its license after discovering a litany of sanitary violations.
The milk permit of FJB, which operates as Tubroville, was suspended Friday & a hearing has been scheduled for Monday to consider revoking that permit, according to Ag spokeswoman Jessica Ziehm.
All finished products at the plant in New Bremen were seized by officials from the agency.
Sanitary-inspection reports from December & earlier this month indicate the plant was in violation because products were unfit for food & "produced or held under insanitary conditions where they may become contaminated with filth or rendered diseased or injurious to health," according to a 4-page order of suspension of the permit.
The agency on Jan. 10 also found homogenized, skim & chocolate milk that "contained excessive counts of bacteria & excessive coliform".
The order states a dairy specialist with the agency seized the unsanitary products:
14,901 lbs packaged milk & 23,283 lbs bulk processed milk that had been in unclean equipment prior to pasteurization, along with 1,008 lbs raw heavy cream held at 56 degrees F, above the legal maximum temperature of 45 degrees F.
1,720 pounds heavy cream held at 49 degrees F.
3,800 pounds cottage cheese that contained an "unfit ingredient" & held at 60 degrees F.
Menachem & Schneur Bistritzky, owners of FJB, did not return a call seeking comment.
The Bistritzkys in 2009 purchased the assets of Ahava through financial institutions that had liens on Ahava through Chapter 7 bankruptcy of company owner, Moise Banayan.
However, Ahava of California, operated by Banayan & his brother, Fariborz, not included in Ahava Entities, continued to occupy the New Bremen plant through a lease with Lewis County Dairy, the name under which the plant previously operated.
A state Supreme Court judge granted FJB an injunction allowing it to operate the facility, but 2 court cases between the corporations are pending.
The plant had employed 50 people, but that figure has dropped significantly the past year.
The state Department of Labor on occasions last fall investigated bounced checks to employees at both kosher plants & levied a $2,000 penalty.
The Ogdensburg plant, which operates as Tubroburg, weeks ago had operations halted after National Grid cut off electricity because of unpaid bills. The owners had planned to bring backup generators, but on Monday, the parking lot was empty & its front door locked.
A sign posted informed of a new policy: "Visitors are not permitted without signing in."
Several milk producers have stopped doing business with the plant, and it is involved in a protracted court battle over what the city deems to be $100,000 in unpaid rent, tax & utility bills.
Where are the hashgochos? They just turn an eye to all the unsanitary violations so they can collect their fee? The Skverrers, Star K, CHK and Babad.
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20110119/NEWS05/301199964
The city gained ownership of the property via foreclosure after its previous operator went out of business. Tubroburg LLC is operating the site under a purchase agreement in which it agreed to pay rent and eventually buy the property. Tubroburg often is late on its rent, and it never bought the site as promised, city officials say.
If the hashgachas would mind the store by making sure all was fine according to Halacha & according to the law (things nothing to do with kashrus), they would have to close all shuls, shteebels and yeshivahs.
So take it easy, the hashgacha certify that the product is kosher. Not clean. Not legal. Not alergic free. Not nothing. Just Kosher.
4:07 pm, don't be ridiculous.
Ahava had holes in the roof with dirty water coming down on the cheese production. Common sense would dictate to not give your hashgocho to that. Nor vos???? $$$$
Peanut corporation of America under the OU had insects which is also a kashrus problem and filth. All kinds of people died from that negligence which the OU is partially achroy for.
08:32:00 PM 2011
You got a warped one track mind.
The Gov't does not give Hashgachas & hashgachas are not Gov't agencies.
Its like saying that the Hashgachas must see all 1040's of owners, make sure the building permits and sign permits are in order etc.All they say is its Kosher to eat, nothing else.
You've got the warped mind if you think food swarming with insects is kosher or that hashgochos have any business certifying food when the roof is caving in on the production line.
Which corrupt hashgocho are you profiting at?
If there are insects in the food then its not kosher. If thee are insects in the bathroom (the room you know so well) then it has nothingto do with kashrus.
Of course, that kind of logic would put you out of business, so you can't hear or understand that.
peanut corp of america had pests in the food area
'pests in the food "area"' alone does NOT make the food not kosher,
in spite of the fact that this pulls the rug from under you.
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