The Invention relates to a fermented onion composition having a dry matter content of at least 8 wt. %, said composition comprising, per gram of dry matter: a) 0-150 mg of saccharides selected from fructose, glucose, sucrose and combinations thereof; b) 5-250 mg of phenols selected from acid equivalent of gallic acid, acid equivalent of ferulic acid, quercetin, kaempferol and combinations thereof; c) 75-500 mg acid equivalent of organic acid selected from propionic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and combinations thereof, including at least 200 mg lactic acid equivalent and/or at least 75 mg propionic acid equivalent and/or at least 120 mg acetic acid equivalent; wherein the combination of components a) to c) constitutes 50-89 wt. % of the dry matter that is contained in the composition; and wherein at least 90 wt. % of the composition is dissolved at a temperature of 20° C. when the composition is diluted with distilled water to a dry matter content of 5 wt. %.

The fermented onion composition of the present invention can advantageously be used as an effective, label friendly food ingredient to increase overall quality of foods.

The invention also provides a method of preparing a fermented onion composition, comprising: providing an onion substrate containing 10-50 wt. % dry matter and 50-90 wt. % water, wherein at least 40 wt. % of the dry matter is derived from onion; inoculating the substrate with a micro-organism selected from lactic acid producing bacteria, Propionibacterium, acetic acid producing bacteria and combinations thereof; and incubating the inoculated substrate at a temperature in the range of 25-60° C. for at least 12 hours to produce an onion ferment.

The Invention relates to a fermented onion composition having a dry matter content of at least 8 wt. %, said composition comprising, per gram of dry matter: a) 0-150 mg of saccharides selected from fructose, glucose, sucrose and combinations thereof; b) 5-250 mg of phenols selected from acid equivalent of gallic acid, acid equivalent of ferulic acid, quercetin, kaempferol and combinations thereof; c) 75-500 mg acid equivalent of organic acid selected from propionic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and combinations thereof, including at least 200 mg lactic acid equivalent and/or at least 75 mg propionic acid equivalent and/or at least 120 mg acetic acid equivalent; wherein the combination of components a) to c) constitutes 50-89 wt. % of the dry matter that is contained in the composition; and wherein at least 90 wt. % of the composition is dissolved at a temperature of 20° C. when the composition is diluted with distilled water to a dry matter content of 5 wt. %.

The fermented onion composition of the present invention can advantageously be used as an effective, label friendly food ingredient to increase overall quality of foods.

The invention also provides a method of preparing a fermented onion composition, comprising: providing an onion substrate containing 10-50 wt. % dry matter and 50-90 wt. % water, wherein at least 40 wt. % of the dry matter is derived from onion; inoculating the substrate with a micro-organism selected from lactic acid producing bacteria, Propionibacterium, acetic acid producing bacteria and combinations thereof; and incubating the inoculated substrate at a temperature in the range of 25-60° C. for at least 12 hours to produce an onion ferment.

The lactobacilli used in this invention are isolates that come from artisanal and fermented meats as well as material of plant origin from the central high plateau of Mexico. From a total of 60 strains of lactobacilli, 7 were selected due to their antagonistic capacity against pathogenic microorganisms and against spoilage microorganisms of raw and processed meat products. A method for preserving a food product, such as meat, whether raw or processed (stuffed products), was developed, including steps of inoculating of the meat with an effective amount of non-spoilage and non-pathogenic isolated bacteria in order to competitively inhibit the growth of unwanted pathogens and spoilage bacteria in meat products.

The lactobacilli used in this invention are isolates that come from artisanal and fermented meats as well as material of plant origin from the central high plateau of Mexico. From a total of 60 strains of lactobacilli, 7 were selected due to their antagonistic capacity against pathogenic microorganisms and against spoilage microorganisms of raw and processed meat products. A method for preserving a food product, such as meat, whether raw or processed (stuffed products), was developed, including steps of inoculating of the meat with an effective amount of non-spoilage and non-pathogenic isolated bacteria in order to competitively inhibit the growth of unwanted pathogens and spoilage bacteria in meat products.

A colloidal dispersion is disclosed comprising poly alpha-1,3-glucan or poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan and a solvent. The colloidal dispersion has utility in various applications, including food, oil field, pharmaceutical, personal care and specialty industries.

A colloidal dispersion is disclosed comprising poly alpha-1,3-glucan or poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan and a solvent. The colloidal dispersion has utility in various applications, including food, oil field, pharmaceutical, personal care and specialty industries.

A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature. In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.

A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature. In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.

A method of washing a food product with a short-term, intense treatment solution. One example method generally includes: applying, using a short-term wash device, a short-term wash treatment solution to the food product; and applying, using a wash device coupled to the short-term wash device, a wash treatment to the food product such that the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment solution from the food product, wherein: the short-term wash treatment solution is applied to the food product for a shorter duration than the wash treatment is applied to the food product; the short-term wash treatment solution is chemically different from the wash treatment; and the short-term wash treatment solution comprises an acidulant and a polyol.

A method of washing a food product with a short-term, intense treatment solution. One example method generally includes: applying, using a short-term wash device, a short-term wash treatment solution to the food product; and applying, using a wash device coupled to the short-term wash device, a wash treatment to the food product such that the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment solution from the food product, wherein: the short-term wash treatment solution is applied to the food product for a shorter duration than the wash treatment is applied to the food product; the short-term wash treatment solution is chemically different from the wash treatment; and the short-term wash treatment solution comprises an acidulant and a polyol.