Short commentary
, Volume: 19( 1) DOI: 10.4172/tsrrb.2024.19(1).030Effect of algal polysaccharides addition on beef sausages quality
Ethan David*
Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
Abstract
Maintaining the quality and stability of functional meat products during storage is one of the major challenges of these products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of polysaccharides extracted from green alga Bryopsis plumosa (PS) as a new natural additive in the formulation of beef sausages. In order to evaluate the impact of the incorporation of PS in beef sausages formulation, the physico-chemical, microbiological and antioxidant properties were investigated during 12 days of storage at 4°C. Obtained data illustrated that the addition of this polymer in the formulation of beef sausages leads to a distinct antioxidant activity during 12 days of storage (4°C) with lower values in terms of lipid peroxidation compared to untreated samples. In addition, samples formulated with PS reduced the oxidation of Myoglobin, which consequently improved the color stability of meat during refrigerated storage. Furthermore, as compared to standard formulation, the addition of PS appears to have interesting antimicrobial potential that maintains sausage quality within a shelf life of 12 days. In conclusion, our results prove the efficiency of PS in providing more hygienic and safer meat products, which may suggest that PS could be used as a natural additive in functional foods.
Island biogeography has long fascinated ecologists, offering a natural laboratory to study species colonization, extinction, and evolution. Originally formulated by MacArthur and Wilson in 1967, the Theory of Island Biogeography (TIB) posited that species richness on islands is a dynamic balance between immigration and extinction, influenced by island size and isolation. While the theory was developed with plants and animals in mind, recent research has expanded its scope to include microorganisms. Revisiting island biogeography through the lens of microbial and eukaryotic colonization reveals both shared and divergent patterns, offering new insights into ecological assembly and biodiversity maintenance.
TIB suggests that larger islands support more species due to lower extinction rates, while islands closer to the mainland experience higher immigration. These principles have been validated across taxa, from birds in the Galápagos to plants in the Caribbean. However, the Anthropocene has introduced new variables—human-mediated dispersal, habitat fragmentation, and climate change—that challenge traditional assumptions.
Microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, and microfungi, are often overlooked in island biogeography due to their small size and vast dispersal potential. Yet, studies show that microbes exhibit species-area relationships similar to macroorganisms. Soil bacterial and fungal diversity increases with island area, but isolation has less impact on microbial richness than expected.
