Inactivation Kinetics of Pectin Methylesterase,Polyphenol Oxidase,and Peroxidase in Cloudy Apple Juice under Microwave and Conventional Heating to Evaluate Non-Thermal Microwave Effects

Continuous-flow microwave pasteurization provides important advantages over conventional heat exchangers such as fast volumetric heating, lower tube surface temperature, and possible non-thermal effects that enhance enzymatic and bacterial inactivation. Conventional and microwave-assisted inactivation of pectin methylesterase (PME), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POD) in cloudy apple juice were investigated to evaluate non-thermal effects. Experiments were conducted to provide uniform heating with accurate temperature acquisition and similar temperature profiles for conventional and microwave treatments. A two-fraction first-order kinetic model was successfully fitted to the data in a procedure that took into account the whole time-temperature profile instead of assuming isothermal conditions. Predicted inactivation curves for pasteurization at 70 and 80 °C of the cloudy apple juice showed that PME has the highest thermal resistance (residual activity of 30% after 250 s at 80 °C) and that there was no evidence of non-thermal microwave effects on the inactivation of these enzymes.     

The Use of Polyphenol Oxidase Activity to Identify a Potential Raisin Variety

The biochemical characterization of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in the white grape Bianchetta Trevigiana is addressed in this research to fulfil the requirement for raisin varieties with high concentrations of phenolic compounds and low PPO activity not only to avoid enzymatic browning but also for maintaining the nutritional value of raisins. Spectrophotometric assays and electrophoresis were used to study this ancient variety exhibiting low PPO activity (only cathecolase activity) which reached at the low pH value of grape berry and was about 15% of the maximum enzymatic activity measured. In addition, the visualization of the active isoforms of grape PPO after 2-DE separation of proteins was a key step for further studies using MALDI-TOF-MS and bioinformatic tools. Based on the thermal inactivation profiles, heating treatment at 70°C may be considered a way to inhibit Bianchetta Trevigiana PPO activity by preserving also its high phenolic content. Therefore PPO characterization may be proposed as a marker for identifying potential high value raisin varieties.     

Application of radio frequency pasteurization to corn (Zea mays L.): Heating uniformity improvement and quality stability evaluation

Mildews caused grain losses and serious outbreaks have been becoming increasing concerns in domestic and international corn processing industry. This study intended to explore the possibility of using radio frequency (RF) heating as an effective treatment to eliminate the mold contamination and reduce the damage to corn quality. A pilot-scale, 27 MHz, 6 kW RF unit was used to study the heating uniformity in corn samples with five moisture contents (MC) and using three plastic material containers, and develop a treatment protocol for a corn sample with the MC of 15.0% w.b. and evaluate quality attributes and storage stability of treated samples. The results showed that only 7.5 min was needed to raise the central temperature of 3.0 kg corn samples from 25 °C to 70 °C using the RF energy, but 749 min for samples to reach 68.6 °C using hot air at 70 °C. The RF heating uniformity was improved by adding forced hot air, moving samples on the conveyor, and mixing during the treatment. An effective RF treatment protocol was finally developed to combine 0.8 kW RF power with a forced hot air at 70 °C, conveyor movement at 6.6 m/h, two mixings, and holding at 70 °C hot air for 14 min, followed by forced room air cooling through thin-layer (2 cm) samples. Corn quality was not affected by RF treatments since quality parameters of RF treated samples were better than or similar to those of untreated controls after the accelerated shelf life test. RF treatments may hold great potential as a pasteurization method to control molds in corns without causing a substantial loss of product quality.     

Disinfection of fishmeal with radiofrequency heating for improved quality and energy efficiency

Radiofrequency (RF) heating was investigated as an alternative to cooking, drying or chemical disinfection for the preservation of fishmeal and shown to be a highly effective process without any detectable effects, particularly on proteins, lipids or in vivo digestibility. The uniform and deep penetration of RF waves resulted in rapid and homogeneous heating allowing ∼4 times lower thermal loads to be used for >5 log₁₀ (>99.999%) reduction in infection levels for Salmonella spp and for Escherichia coli O157:H7. Simultaneously, the natural flora was reduced by >3 log₁₀ (>99.9%). The RF process can be operated in the 70–90 °C range and with high energy‐use efficiency (∼50%), which compares well with the 10–15% efficiency for conventional surface heating methods. Industry and expert laboratories confirmed these results. RF heating is thus a new alternative thermal process that is particularly appropriate for disinfecting fishmeal or for reprocessing it rapidly and efficiently with full retention of its natural attributes. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Radio frequency heating as a disinfestation method against Corcyra cephalonica and its effect on properties of milled rice

Radio frequency (RF) heating has the potential to be developed as an alternative non-chemical disinfestation method. In contrast to microwave (MW), RF exhibited higher penetration depth, which helps RF to be a useful technique in disinfesting packaging foods. A 3 kW, 27.12 MHz RF system was used to validate the practical of radio frequency technology for rice moth (Corcyra cephalonica) control in milled rice. Rice samples were placed in the polystyrene bag and moved at a speed of 0.8 m/min, and heated in the RF system with intermittent mixing. Four electrode gaps and five sample thicknesses were chosen to confirm the optimal conditions of RF treatment. The results showed that the sample thickness of 15 mm and electrode gap of 40 mm could provide the optimum heating rate for rice. Mortality of each stage (adult, larva, egg) of C. cephalonica increased with increasing heating temperature and reached 100% while RF heated 180 s (45.8 °C), 300 s (56.9 °C), and 420 s (70 °C), respectively. No C. cephalonica was determined in the samples during 45 days storage incubation period at RF treatment to 70 °C. There were no significant differences between control and RF treated samples in quality parameters (moisture, protein, fat, gelatinization, and sensory attributes). Therefore, RF treatment may provide a practical and effective method for disinfesting milled rice without affecting product quality.     

Efficiency of pre-process anoxia treatment on quality of fresh-cut pineapples cv. ‘Phulae’ during storage

The aim of this study was to investigate the competency of pre-process anoxia treatment on physicochemical quality of fresh-cut pineapples cv. ‘Phulae’ during storage. The fruits were kept in anoxia atmosphere (N₂) for 16 h before processing. The fruits were processed immediately after treatment (G1) and after storage at 13 °C for 6 days (G2). Anoxia treatment delayed the weight loss and had no effect on the L* value of both G1 and G2 fresh-cut pineapples. The yellowness (b*) value of G1 fresh-cut pineapple was maintained by anoxia. The PPO activity of anoxia-treated G1 and G2 fresh-cut pineapples was lower than that of untreated fresh-cut fruits (control). Total sugars contents of both G1 and G2 anoxia-treated fresh-cut pineapples trended to be higher than that of control samples. Anoxia had no influence on the total ascorbic acid content during storage. The increases in total bacteria and yeast of both G1 and G2 fresh-cut pineapples were retarded by anoxia. In conclusion, anoxia is a feasible alternative to maintaining quality and delaying microbial increases in fresh-cut pineapples during storage.     

Validation of radio frequency treatments as alternative non-chemical methods for disinfesting chestnuts

Chemical fumigation has been widely used to control insects in postharvest chestnuts but is inherent dangers when using fumigants. The purpose of this study was to validate application of radio frequency (RF) treatments for disinfesting chestnuts as an alternative to chemical fumigation. A practical process protocol was developed to control insect pests in chestnuts using a 27.12 MHz free-running oscillator RF system. Fifth-instar yellow peach moth, Conogethes punctiferalis, more heat tolerant than chestnut weevil, Curculio elephas, under three temperature and time combinations using a heating block system, was selected as the targeted insect to validate the RF treatment protocol. Mortality of fifth-instar C. punctiferalis increased with increasing holding time at 55 °C using RF heating and reached 100% while holding in hot air for at least 5 min. Furthermore, there was no significant quality difference in color, fat, firmness, moisture content, protein, and soluble sugar content of chestnuts observed between RF treatments and controls. RF treatment methods hold potential to scale up for industrial applications of disinfesting chestnuts.     

Effect of alternating magnetic field on the quality of fresh-cut apples in cold storage

This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of alternating magnetic field (MF) on enzymatic browning, physicochemical properties and microbial proliferation of fresh-cut apples during cold storage. The results showed that after 9-day storage, the browning index of apple slices increased by 174.07% in the conventional refrigerated group but by only 132.32% in the alternating MF group, the total number of colonies in the alternating MF group was 1.32 log CFU g⁻¹, less than that in the conventional refrigerated samples. The soluble solids and firmness of the MF group were 16.47% and 28.79% higher than those of the control group. The alternating MF significantly inhibited the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) and exerted a significant effect on the tertiary structure of enzymes. Except for maintaining the good sensory quality, the MF also suppressed the growth of microorganisms in fresh-cut apples and extended their shelf life by at least 2 days.     

Investigation of the Feasibility of Radio Frequency Energy for Controlling Insects in Milled Rice

Many studies showed that radio frequency (RF) holds great potential to control insects in grains, while a few more technical issues need to be addressed to further make this technology ready for industrial application. Therefore, the effect of RF heating rate on rice fissure ratio and broken rate, RF heating lethality on immature rice weevils, and RF disinfestation treatment on cooking and eating quality of milled rice was investigated in this study. Results indicated that RF heating rate had no significant influence on rice broken rate, while fast RF heating rate (>7.2 °C/min) had adverse effects on rice fissure ratio, and mild RF heating rate (<5.8 °C/min) had no significant influence on fissure ratio of milled rice. RF treatment (50 °C, 5 min) could completely control immature rice weevils in rough, brown, and milled rice. Even though RF disinfestation treatment (50 °C, 5 min) influenced the cooking quality (water absorption, adhesive strength) of milled rice, it had no significant effect on overall sensory quality. This study provided valuable information for considering the application of RF energy in milled rice process to control insects.     

Application of induced voltage in cloudy apple juice: enzymatic browning and bioactive and flavouring compounds

Controlling enzymatic browning and decreasing the loss of phenolic and flavour compounds by emerging technologies have drawn interest. In this study, magneto-induced voltages (900–1800 V, 20-45 kHz) with mild temperature (20–50 °C) were applied to inactivate polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) in cloudy apple juice. Results suggested that PPO and POD activities could be reduced by 98.5% and 99.4%, respectively, following the condition: induced voltage 1800 V; frequency 45 kHz; temperature 50 °C and duration 3 min. And, phenolic compounds included gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, rutin and p-coumaric acid, as well as major aroma compounds consisted of 22 volatile constituents which classified into three categories: esters, alcohols and aldehydes were also investigated. It suggested the phenolic compounds and major aroma compounds remained unchanged after the electrical treatment. This study suggests that the induced voltage produced by electromagnetic induction is an alternative to conventional heating methods.     

Production and characterisation of antioxidant peptides from sweet potato protein by enzymatic hydrolysis with radio frequency pretreatment

Effect of radio frequency (RF at 70, 80 and 90 °C) pretreatment on production and characterisation of sweet potato protein hydrolysates (SPPH) prepared using Alcalase (ALC), Protease (PRO) and the combination of ALC + PRO was investigated. RF highly improved degree of hydrolysis (DH) and enhanced antioxidant activity of all SPPH produced by ALC, PRO and the combination as compared to traditional water bath (WB) heating pretreatment (P < 0.05). RF significantly increased molecular weight (MW) <3 kDa peptide fraction from SPPH produced by ALC, and MW <3 kDa peptide fraction from RF80- and RF90-pretreated samples has higher antioxidant activity. Diverse peptides in MW <3 kDa fractions with RF80 and RF90 pretreatments were identified using LC–QTOF–MS/MS, which matched the sequences of sporamins and contained antioxidant amino acids Trp, Tyr, Met, Phe and/or His. There is a great potential application of using SPPH in functional foods as a novel ingredient.     

Developing treatment protocols for disinfesting pine wood product using radio frequency energy

Numerous non-native insect pests are moved around the world via international trade and have caused major forestry losses, especially for pine trees. The purpose of this research was to study a potential application of radio frequency (RF) heating for disinfesting pine wood products to reduce forestry damage caused by exotic pests. A pilot-scale 6 kW, 27.12 MHz RF system was used to develop a treatment protocol for disinfesting pine wood products based on the heating uniformity studies. The results showed that the heating time needed was only 6.7 min to heat the wood blocks (250?×?400?×?60 mm³) with moisture content of 13.3% d.b. from 25 to 60?°C using RF energy, but 320 min to reach 56.2?°C using hot air at 60?°C with 1.6 m/s. Based on the heating uniformity study, the best condition occurred when the lower wood moisture content was used and the wood width approached the RF electrode one. The RF treatment protocol was finally developed to combine RF energy with forced hot air at 60?°C, movement of conveyor at 7.4 m/h and holding at 60?°C hot air for 1 min. Wood quality was not affected significantly by the RF treatments because quality parameters of treated wood samples were similar to those of controls. The RF treatment may provide a rapid, effective and environmentally friendly method to disinfest wood products.     

Hot air-assisted radio frequency heating effects on wheat and corn seeds: Quality change and fungi inhibition

Hot air-assisted radio frequency (RF) heating has been proposed and studied as an alternative disinfestation method for grain seeds. In this study, hot air-assisted RF heating effects on fungi inhibition and its influence on physiological (seed vigor, germination rate) and biochemical (color, enzyme activity) qualities of wheat and corn seeds were further investigated. Results showed that high intensity hot air-assisted RF treatment (70 °C, 10 min) reduced seed vigor and germination rate for both wheat and corn seeds, but relatively mild intensity treatment (65 °C, 10 min) showed no significant influence on color and germination rate, and even enhanced enzyme activity (Superoxide dismutase-SOD, catalase-CAT and peroxidase-POD). Moreover, hot air-assisted RF treatment (65 °C, 10 min) reduced Aspergillus flavus by 2 and 3 log-scale (CUF/g) in wheat and corn seeds with the moisture content of 12.0%, and 3 and 4 log-scale for wheat and corn seeds when moisture content increased to 15.0%, respectively. These results indicated higher moisture content (a_w) of grain seeds would benefit fungi inhibition for hot air-assisted RF treatment, and with proper control of treatment conditions, hot air-assisted RF heating has the potential to inhibit fungi and maintain physiological and biochemical quality of grain seeds.     

高浓度二氧化碳气调包装通过调节酚代谢抑制鲜切莲藕的酶促褐变

鲜切莲藕褐变的主要原因是酶促褐变,高浓度CO_2气调包装(Modified-atmosphere packaging,MAP)可以有效延缓鲜切果蔬褐变,而苯丙氨酸解氨酶(L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase,PAL)、多酚氧化酶(Polyphenol oxidase,PPO)和过氧化物酶(Peroxidase,POD)的编码基因是引起果蔬褐变的主要基因。然而,高浓度CO_2 MAP对鲜切莲藕片PAL、PPO、POD酶及其编码基因表达的影响却鲜有报道。本文分析了100%CO_2MAP对鲜切莲藕贮藏过程中褐变度、总酚含量、PAL、PPO和POD酶活性及其编码基因表达的影响。结果表明:100%CO_2 MAP对延缓鲜切莲藕褐变有较好效果,且100%CO_2 MAP贮藏期间鲜切莲藕PAL、PPO和POD酶活性随褐变程度的增加而同步变化。此外,Nn PAL1,Nn PPOA和Nn POD2/3的表达变化与PAL,PPO和POD酶活性的变化及褐变相一致,说明高浓度CO_2 MAP可能通过下调Nn PAL1,Nn PPOA和Nn POD2/3的表达来延缓鲜切莲藕褐变。     

A comparative study of inactivation of peach polyphenol oxidase and carrot polyphenol oxidase induced by high‐pressure carbon dioxide

The inactivation of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in peach juice and PPO in carrot juice was investigated by high‐pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD), and their inactivation kinetics was analysed and compared. The temperature was 35–55 °C, the pressure was 5–15 MPa under HPCD condition. Results showed that HPCD enhanced the inactivation effect of the temperature on the two PPOs. The inactivation kinetics of peach PPO was well fitted to a first‐order kinetic model, of carrot PPO to a fraction‐conversion model as a function of temperatures or pressures. Susceptibility of the rate constant k of peach PPO was not altered and of carrot PPO was lessened to the temperature, but the susceptibility of the rate constant k of peach PPO and carrot PPO to the pressure was not changed when the pressure was >8 or 12 MPa, indicating the presence of a threshold pressure.     

Effect of radio frequency heating on the mortality of Rhizopertha dominica (F.) and its impact on grain quality

The use of radio frequency (RF) heating to reach temperatures lethal to stored product pests has significant potential. We examined the lethal effects of RF on the stored grain pest, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), under four different RFs, three types of grain, and different moisture contents of rice. The quality of two rice cultivars, after RF heating, was also tested. When heated to 58 °C by RF, R. dominica adult mortality reached 100%. The mortality of R. dominica adults reached 100%. The fastest mortality rate occurred at 50–52 °C. With an increase in RF, the time needed to attain a lethal temperature decreased. The heating time to reach 100% mortality differed among the three types of grain; for example, the heating time of wheat was faster than corn or rice. Kernel size and chemical composition was the main factor influencing the RF lethal rate in the different types of grain under the same experimental conditions. There was a significant linear relationship between moisture content (m.c.) and heating time (Y = −38.05 X + 15.501, R = 0.9803) in rice. RF heating of rice to 58 °C did not significantly affect milling quality, storage quality, or seed quality. Thus, heating time, types of grain, and the m.c. of the grains are three important factors that should be considered in RF heating to control stored product pests. These results indicate that RF heating could be an effective physical method for killing stored grain pests.     

Degradative enzymatic activities in fresh-cut blood-orange slices during chilled-storage

Blood-orange fruits are suitable to fresh-cut fruit production because of their chemical compositions. Nevertheless, the main limitation of using freshly cut oranges is their susceptibility to juiciness loss and ascorbic acid degradation because of enzymatic alterations. The aim of this work is: to identify some of the enzymes causing the qualitative decay in blood-orange slices during 15 days of chilled storage (at 4 ± 0.5 °C and 85% RH); to investigate the susceptibility to the previous alterations of five blood-orange clones ( Moro nucellare, Sanguinello nucellare , Tarocco arcimusa, Tarocco gallo and Tarocco meli ) to select the most suitable one for fresh-cut production. The enzymes studied were: pectinmethylesterase (PME) as index of juiciness loss, ascorbate oxidase (AAO) as index of ascorbic acid's degradation and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) as browning index. As far as we know, the changes of AAO activity during chilled storage of blood-orange fresh-cut slices has not previously reported and studied. Different clones showed different enzymatic activities and quality changes during chilled-storage. In particular a low juiciness loss in orange slices was correlated with a lower PME activity, as described in T. meli clone, while a high degradation of ascorbic acid was correlated with an higher AAO activity, as described in T. gallo clone; PPO activity seemed to have no significant action in quality degradation. Tarocco meli was the most suitable clone to the fresh-cut blood-orange production because it has the lowest enzymatic activity (PME, PPO and AAO) and the highest sensorial quality.     

Inactivation of apple (Malus domestica Borkh) polyphenol oxidases by radio frequency combined with pulsed electric field treatment

Radio frequency (RF) preprocessing combined with pulsed electric field (PEF) processing was employed to inactivate polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in apple juice. PPO enzyme levels, loss of total phenolic content (TPC), colours and volatile components in the apple juice were subsequently determined and compared with conventional processing methods (60 °C for 10 min and 70 °C for 10 min). Results indicated that, when the apple tissue was preprocessed using RF for 10 min, the residual activity of PPO decreased to 13.57%; when the squeezed juice was processed by PEF, the residual activity decreased to about 5% at 15–35 kV cm^?1 for 400 μs. RF treatment caused no significant loss in TPC. Compared with the conventionally processed samples, the apple juice that was RF‐treated for 10 min and PEF‐treated at 15 kV cm^?1 for 400 μs increased its lightness and maintained its fresh‐like flavour.     

Suitability for minimal processing of non‐melting clingstone peaches

Clingstone non‐melting peach cultivars (Prunus persica L. Batsch) are used primarily for canning, but their processing as fresh‐cut products is also of interest. Four clingstone peach cultivars (‘Andross’, ‘Babygold 8′, ‘Calante’ and ‘Romea’) were evaluated for their suitability for minimal processing (washing, peeling and slicing) followed by storage for 9 days at 4 °C in a modified atmosphere using microperforated films. Romea cultivar, which has low polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymatic activity, proved to be the most suitable cultivar for minimal processing, given its lower degree of browning as well as the results from a sensory evaluation. Maturity indicators varied slightly during storage at a different degree depending on cultivars. We have found that PPO activity and browning potential are adequate indicators for surface browning in fresh‐cut non‐melting peaches.     

Developing radio frequency technology for postharvest insect control in milled rice

Since methyl bromide fumigation has an adverse effect on human health and environment, it is urgently needed for developing a non-chemical method to replace chemical fumigation for disinfesting milled rice. The purpose of this research was to study possible applications of radio frequency (RF) energy for disinfesting milled rice without affecting product quality. A pilot-scale, 27.12 MHz, 6 kW RF system was used to study RF heating uniformity and develop a treatment protocol for achieving 100% insect mortality and finally evaluating quality attributes in RF treated milled rice during storage. The results showed that the heating time needed only 4.3 min to heat the 3.9 kg milled rice from 25 °C to 50 °C using RF energy, but 480 min for milled rice to reach 48 °C using hot air at 50 °C. After comparing three selected electrode gaps, an appropriate gap of 11 cm was obtained to achieve the heating rate of 5.8 °C/min for further heating uniformity tests. An RF treatment protocol was finally developed to combine 1.0 kW RF power with a forced hot air heating at 50 °C, movement of the conveyor with the speed of 12.4 m/h, two mixings, and holding at 50 °C hot air for 5 min, followed by forced room air cooling through single-layer (2 cm thick) samples. There were no significant differences in quality parameters (moisture, protein, fat, starch, hardness, and color) between RF treatments and untreated controls during storage (P > 0.05). Therefore, RF treatments may provide a practical, effective and environmentally friendly method for disinfesting milled rice.