At first Wu and her team thought the acid alone might be the active component, so they created a citric acid, malic acid and quinic acid concoction to see how it would handle the introduced pathogens. It wasn't nearly as effective as the cranberry concentrate. The researchers suspect phenolics, a class of chemical compounds in cranberries that include color pigments and flavor compounds, join forces with the berry's natural acid to create a killer one-two punch that wipes out bacteria. "Natural phenolic compounds are gaining more and more interest these days due to their potential health benefits," Wu said. "Berries, like cranberries, are rich in phenolic compounds." Drinking cranberry juice and eating cranberries, such as in cranberry sauce, may inhibit the development and progression of cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to other research. For poultry preparation, however, cooks are advised to marinate the meat in a white cranberry juice brine, and/or to baste the turkey with white cranberry juice, which can be mixed with melted butter, herbs and other seasonings. More good news for cranberry growers and lovers is that a new cranberry hybrid has just been introduced to the market. It looks and tastes like regular cranberries, but it results in higher yields and is so hardy that it reduces the need for herbicides and pesticides, according to the hybrid's inventor, Nicholi Vorsa of Rutgers University. Vorsa said the new cranberry, called Crimson Queen, will help to satisfy year-round cranberry cravings for juices, fruit drinks and "craisins," in addition to going into winter holiday sauces. Wu said cranberries might even wind up in burgers. She explained that one of her earlier studies found "a hamburger containing cranberry concentrate amounting to five percent of its weight was accepted by testers," resulting in a safer, healthier burger with no discernable cranberry overtones. Wu concluded, "Incorporating cranberries into food preparation, one day, may be a natural way to minimize food contamination." Related Links: |
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