Effects of microwave and ultrasound pretreatments on enzymolysis of milk protein concentrate with different enzymes

Milk protein concentrate was pretreated either by microwave irradiation or by ultrasound before initiation of 3‐h enzymatic hydrolysis. The duration of pretreatment ranged from 1 to 8 min at a power level of 800 W, with the control not being subjected to any pretreatment, and five enzymes (Alcalase, Trypsin, Neutrase, Alkaline Protease and Flavourzyme) were employed. The effects of microwave and ultrasound pretreatments on the kinetics and degree of hydrolysis, protein solubility, bitterness and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitory activity were evaluated. Pretreatments increased the degree of hydrolysis and stabilised the solubility of the hydrolysates but could not significantly reduce bitterness of the hydrolysates The angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitory activity of the hydrolysates were improved with 5‐min ultrasound‐pretreated Neutrase hydrolysates giving IC₅₀ value of 0.23 mg mL^?1. Kinetic parameters showed improved catalytic efficiencies. Pretreatments of milk protein concentrates with either microwave or ultrasound significantly improve the bioactivity and functional characteristics of the resulting hydrolysates.     

Effects of pretreatment ultrasound bath and ultrasonic probe,in osmotic dehydration,in the kinetics of oven drying and the physicochemical properties of beet snacks

Osmotic dehydration and ultrasound are pretreatments used in order to reduce costs and processing time in the drying of food. We investigated the effect of the ultrasonic bath and an ultrasonic probe in osmotic solution, as a pretreatment of the drying process in an oven, for beet snacks. Different conditions of pretreatments (TP: ultrasonic probe treatment; TB: ultrasonic bath treatment) were performed and analyzed for water loss (WL) and solid gain (SG). After the snacks were ready, we evaluated the drying kinetics, aw, Brix, color, texture, and anthocyanin content. No difference was observed between treatments for SG and WL. The pretreatments TP5, TP10 and TB20 decreased by 22.2% the drying time in the oven. Regarding the snacks, there was no difference in texture. The colors of TP5, TP10, and TB10 were similar to the control, as well as the a_w value of the TP5 and TP10. The TP5 had the highest anthocyanin content. The use of ultrasound probe in osmotic solution for 5 min, as a predrying treatment, is a viable technology as it reduces pretreatment and drying time without impairing the quality of the final product.

Practical applications

The use of ultrasound as a pretreatment in the drying of fruits reduces the drying time. Drying is an important process in obtaining new products, in addition to increasing shelf‐life.     

Physicochemical,crystalline, and thermal properties of native,oxidized, acid,and enzyme hydrolyzed Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposite Thunb) starch

Native yam starch was modified by oxidation (with sodium hypochlorite), acid, and enzyme (with gluco‐amylase), respectively. Ash content, fat content, protein, and AM contents were reduced following modifications. All the modifications reduced swelling capacity whereas improved the solubility. The SEM of the native starch showed the presence of large oval or spherical to small irregular‐shaped granules, however, oxidation and hydrolysis caused collapse of the granules. From the XRD, the typical C‐type XRD pattern of the native starch changed to the typical A‐type XRD pattern of the three modified starches. The above results also demonstrated that amorphous region of yam starch granules was preferentially degraded than crystalline region of granules. DSC showed that oxidation and acid/enzyme hydrolysis reduced peak temperature of gelatinization (T_p) of native starch significantly. Enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH) of oxidation and enzyme starch was reduced but it has no obviously change following acid modification.     

Impact of ultrasound on egg white proteins as a pretreatment for functional hydrolysates production

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different ultrasound pretreatment on enzymatic hydrolysis of egg white proteins (EWPs) by Alcalase as well as evaluating some functional and antioxidant properties of hydrolysates obtained by various proteases treatment and ultrasound technology. The effects of chosen ultrasound pretreatment parameters including frequency of ultrasonic waves (35 and 40 kHz), temperature (25 and 55 °C), time of pretreatment (15–60 min) and pH of egg white solution (7.00–10.00) were examined. It appeared that controlled ultrasound treatment can improved the hydrolysis process compared with untreated samples, but optimization of the power and length of sonication was important. The optimal ultrasound pretreatment at calorimetric power of 21.3 W and frequency of 40 kHz for 15 min at 25 °C and with naturally basic egg white (pH 9.25) resulted in increased initial rate and equilibrium degree of Alcalase hydrolysis by about 139.8 and 13.86 % compared with the control, respectively. EWP hydrolysates with ≈27.0 % degree of hydrolysis obtained with heat pretreatment and ultrasound pretreatments under optimal conditions were further separated by sequential ultrafiltration into 4 hydrolysate fractions (<1, 1–10, 10–30 and >30 kDa) which were investigated for protein content, peptide yield and antioxidant activity. The hydrolysis after heat pretreatment generated more peptides <1 kDa (19.04 ± 1.02 %) than ultrasound pretreatment did (11.90 ± 0.53 %), whereas the proportion of peptides <10 kDa were higher in the second case (28.80 ± 0.07 vs. 20.46 ± 0.39 %). The fraction obtained by the ultrasound pretreatment containing peptides with a molecular weight between 1 and 10 kDa demonstrated the strongest ABTS radical scavenging efficacy among the fractions (97.54 ± 0.30) with IC₅₀ value of 4.31 mg/mL. Compared with single-enzyme processes, the two-stage enzymatic processes did not significantly improve both antioxidant and functional hydrolysates’ properties.     

A Modelling study on skimmed milk lactose hydrolysis and β‐galactosidase stability using three reactor types

The hydrolysis of lactose in skimmed milk and β‐galactosidase inactivation studies were carried out in three different devices – bioreactor, sonicator and homogeniser – to evaluate the performance of such reactors that have different operational systems. The experiments were carried out using β‐galactosidase produced from Kluyveromyces marxianus lactis. At the optimum process conditions obtained from the experiments performed in bioreactor, sonicator and homogeniser, 89%, 90% and 54% of lactose were hydrolysed and the enzyme lost its activity by 14%, 13% and 24%, respectively, at the end of the processing time of 30 min. The commercial milk lactose content (1 g/L lactose) was reached at 60 min for bioreactor and sonicator. After evaluation of the data, it was found that the kinetics of hydrolysis and enzyme inactivation could be represented by a first‐order kinetic model and a single‐step non‐first‐order enzyme inactivation kinetic model, respectively, for all process conditions applied. The activation energy for hydrolysis reaction and the enzymatic inactivation energy values were also calculated.     

Granule structural,crystalline, and thermal changes in native Chinese yam starch after hydrolysis with two different enzymes–α‐amylase and gluco‐amylase

Starch extracted from Chinese yam was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray powder diffractometer (XRD), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) in the process of enzymatic hydrolysis. Yam starch was digested by α‐amylase and gluco‐amylase for different lengths of time, respectively, and two different enzymatic hydrolysis results were compared. The most notable phenomenon revealed by SEM after α‐amylase hydrolysis was the formation of the cavum in the center of the starch granules, while after gluco‐amylase hydrolysis, the outer layer of the granules was peeled off and then some granules even broke into pieces. The XRD of the two enzyme hydrolyzed starches revealed the crystal type of the starch changed from typical C‐type XRD pattern to the representative A‐type pattern in the process of enzymatic hydrolysis. The above results also demonstrated that the partially B‐type polymorph was more easily degraded than A‐type. The thermal result showed that the modified yam starches by both enzymes exhibited increased peak gelatinization temperatures (T_p) and decreased gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH).     

Influence of ultrasound pretreatments on diffusion coefficients,texture and colour of osmodehydrated sweet potato (Ipomea batatas)

The moisture and solute diffusivities, texture and colour of sweet potato pretreated in distilled water with ultrasound (UD), osmotic dehydration without ultrasound (OD) and osmotic dehydration with ultrasound (UOD) were investigated to determine the effects of ultrasound on osmodehydrated sweet potato. The moisture and solute diffusivities of all the pretreatments ranged from 2.89 to 4.95 × 10^?10 and 1.17 to 1.67 × 10^?10 m² s^?1, respectively. The moisture diffusivity of samples treated in UOD was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of OD and UD by 30.82% and 41.62%, respectively. Compared to the fresh sample, the firmness of samples treated in OD and UOD was reduced by 83.53% and 92.47%, respectively. UD increased the brightness (L*) and reduced the redness (a*) of sweet potato, while UOD enhanced the yellowness (b*) and chroma (C*) of sweet potato. The sweet potato samples treated in UOD had the highest total colour difference (ΔE).     

The use of ultrasound for enzymatic preparation of ACE-inhibitory peptides from wheat germ protein

The effects of ultrasonic treatment during proteolysis on kinetic characterisation of the hydrolysis of defatted wheat germ protein (DWGP), and on ACE-inhibitory activity of the hydrolysate, were investigated. The effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on the release of peptides with ACE-inhibitory were also studied. The results showed that the value of k_A for DWGP hydrolysis under ultrasonic irradiation increased by about 22.2%, and K_M decreased about 13.0%, compared with that obtained without ultrasound. Analysis of ACE-inhibitory activity indicated that ultrasound during enzyme treatments had less effect on the ACE-inhibitory activity, while ultrasonic pretreatment caused a 21.0–40.7% increase in ACE-inhibitory activity of DWGP hydrolysate. Analyses of hydrophobicity, microstructure, and amino acid composition revealed that ultrasonic pretreatment could accelerate the release of hydrophobic amino acids from DWGP during enzymatic hydrolysis. In conclusion, ultrasonic treatment during proteolysis could facilitate the enzymatic hydrolysis of DWGP, whereas ultrasonic pretreatment could promote the release of ACE-inhibitory peptides from DWGP during enzymatic hydrolysis.     

Aminopeptidase from jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) hepatopancreas: purification,characterisation, and casein hydrolysis

An aminopeptidase (AP) was partially purified from jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) hepatopancreas with 154.24‐fold and yield of 6.15%. The purification procedure consisted of ammonium sulphate fractionation and DEAE‐Sephacel chromatography. The enzyme was approximately 48–53 kDa as estimated by SDS‐PAGE. With l ‐leu‐p‐NA, it had optimum activity at pH 8.0 and 30 °C. The K_m and V_max/K_m values of the enzymes for l ‐leu‐p‐NA were 0.326 mm and 2787 at 37 °C, respectively. Activation energy (E_a) of the enzyme was 53.50 kJ M^?1.The AP showed activity against seven synthetic substrates: l ‐proline>l ‐methionine>Ac. l ‐γ‐glutamic>l ‐glycine>l ‐leucine>l ‐alanine>l ‐lysine‐p‐NA. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by Bestatin, partially inhibited by a metal‐chelating agent and by PCMB, a cystein protease inhibitor. Zn²⁺ and (or) Ca²⁺ seemed to be its metal cofactor(s). Incubation of casein with the partially purified AP resulted in a degree of hydrolysis of 6%.     

Physicochemical,crystalline, and thermal properties of native and enzyme hydrolyzed Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi and Pueraria thomsonii Benth. starches

Starches isolated from the bulbs of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi (PLO) and Pueraria thomsonii Benth. (PTB) were hydrolysed by glucoamylase for different lengths of time (2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h). The hydrolysis results were compared by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray power diffractometer (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The SEM results revealed that both of the PLO and PTB starches showed the same hydrolysis mechanism, which indicated that the glucoamylase primarily attacking the exterior of starch granules and then the interior. The results of XRD revealed the crystalline type of PTB starch changed from C‐type to A‐type with crystallinity reducing from 43.5 to 20.9% during the hydrolysis. Unlike PTB starch, the PLO starch did not show marked changes in crystalline style but lower degree of crystallinity was obtained from 32.4 to 13.7% during the hydrolysis. All the XRD results demonstrated that B‐type polymorph was preferentially degraded than A‐type polymorph in the C‐type starch. The DSC results revealed that both of the PLO and PTB starches showed decreased enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_gel) and gelatinization temperature range (R)‐value after hydrolysis, while the gelatinization temperature (T_p) indicated different tendency, initially ranging from 68.6 to 64.3°C and then increasing to 67.8°C for PLO starch. While for PTB starch, the T_p‐value showed progressive reduction from 85.4 to 74.3°C during the whole process.     

Browning,polyphenol oxidase activity and headspace gas composition during storage of minimally processed pears using modified atmosphere packaging

Modified atmosphere packaging was used to prevent browning of minimally processed Conference pears, thus extending their shelf‐life. Colour changes as well as PPO activity were strongly influenced by the package headspace gas composition, which was determined by the packaging conditions. The initial colour of minimally processed pears was preserved for several weeks under cold storage in plastic pouches of very low O₂ permeability and an initial atmosphere of 100% N₂. A fractional conversion kinetic model fitted the experimental browning data with high accuracy. Colour degradation (ΔE*) of minimally processed pears occurred exponentially (k_ΔE = 0.019–0.077 day^?1) owing to changes in lightness (k_L = 0.021–0.07 day^?1). In contrast, PPO exhibited a linear increase in activity which could be related to the availability of O₂ in the package headspace. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physicochemical properties of soy protein prepared by enzyme‐assisted countercurrent extraction

Synchronous improvements of both nutritional properties and the flavour of protein by optimising preparation processes are highly challenging. The prehydrolysis of soy meals by cocktail enzyme (β‐glucosidase, phytase and acid protease) treatment and subsequent countercurrent extraction were designed based on similar hydrolysis conditions. The composition, flavour volatiles and physicochemical properties of soy proteins were investigated. Compared to alkaline extraction and acid precipitation, enzyme‐assisted countercurrent extraction significantly increased protein yield and carbohydrate content, accompanied by a decrease in protein purity. This protein exhibited larger molecular weight distribution, less flavour volatiles, higher thermal stability and surface hydrophobicity, as evidenced by higher denaturation temperature (T_d) and enthalpy change (ΔH) of protein. The conversion of isoflavone glycosides to aglycone and the partial degradation of phytic acid were observed for enzyme‐prepared soy proteins. These results suggest a feasible protocol for producing a nutrient‐improved soy protein with excellent flavour and thermal stability.     

Thermal and Pasting Properties of Acid‐treated Rice Starches

The physicochemical properties of acid‐treated rice starches were investigated. Rice starches were treated with hydrochloric acid at different acid concentrations and hydrolysis times. The pasting properties were tested using a Rapid Visco Analyser, and gelatinization and retrogradation properties using a differential scanning calorimeter. The results showed that acid concentration had a more pronounced effect on degree of polymerization (DP) and viscosity than hydrolysis time. The onset, peak and conclusion temperatures of gelatinization were increased significantly with hydrolysis time, while the gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH_G) was decreased. In addition, there was an increase in the gelatinization temperature range with longer hydrolysis time. After storing gelatinized starches at 4°C for 7 days, the transition temperature and enthalpy (ΔH_R) to melt retrograded amylopectin did not change significantly. Additionally, the temperature and enthalpy transition for melting amylose‐lipid complex of all gelatinized and retrograded starches were in the same range.     

ENZYMATIC PROPERTIES OF A PROTEASE FROM THE HEPATOPANCREAS OF SHRIMP, PENAEVS OMENTAIM

The protease purified from hepatopancreas of shrimp, Penaeus orientals, had high proteolytic activity in the pH range of 7.0 to 9.5. Temperature optimum for hydrolysis of casein was 70C. The protease was stable at neutral and alkaline pH and unstable at acidic pH. The apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant (K_m) and the turnover number (V_max) of the protease on hydrolysis of N‐CBZ‐L‐tyrosine p‐nitrophenyl ester (CBZ‐Tyr‐NE) and N‐CBZ‐L‐phenylalanine p‐nitrophenyl ester (CBZ‐Phe‐NE) ‐were similar, however, those for N‐CBZ‐L‐cysteine p‐nitropher.yl ester (CBZ‐Cys‐NE) were different. K_m and V_max for hydrolysis of casein by the protease were determined to be 0.31% and 5.21s^‐1, respectively. The N‐terminal sequence of the protease showed higher homology with the collagenase of crab and trypsins from Crustacea. Myosin heavy chain (MHC) was the primary substrate during proteolysis with the protease. Actin/tropomyosin were degraded progressively during 2 h incubation but to a lesser extent than MHC.     

Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Neuroprotective Effects of Astaxanthin and Canthaxanthin in Nerve Growth Factor Differentiated PC12 Cells

ABSTRACT: Nerve growth factor differentiated PC12 cells were used to examine the antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects of astaxanthin (AX) and canthaxanthin (CX). PC12 cells were pretreated with AX or CX at 10 or 20 μM, and followed by exposure of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium ion (MPP⁺) to induce cell injury. H₂O₂ or MPP⁺ treatment significantly decreased cell viability, increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, enhanced DNA fragmentation, and lowered mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (P < 0.05). The pretreatments from AX or CX concentration‐dependently alleviated H₂O₂ or MPP⁺‐induced cell death, LDH release, DNA fragmentation, and MMP reduction (P < 0.05). Either H₂O₂ or MPP⁺ treatment significantly increased malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formations, decreased glutathione content, and lowered glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase activities (P < 0.05). The pretreatments from AX or CX significantly retained GPX and catalase activities, and decreased MDA and ROS formations (P < 0.05). H₂O₂ or MPP⁺ treatment significantly decreased Na⁺‐K⁺‐ATPase activity, elevated caspase‐3 activity and levels of interleukin (IL)‐1, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α (P < 0.05); and the pretreatments from these agents significantly restored Na⁺‐K⁺‐ATPase activity, suppressed caspase‐3 activity and release of IL‐1, IL‐6, and TNF‐α (P < 0.05). Based on the observed antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory protection from AX and CX, these 2 compounds were potent agents against neurodegenerative disorder.     

HOW TIME BETWEEN CLEANINGS AFFECTS PERFORMANCE AND SUCROSE LOSSES IN ROBERT'S EVAPORATORS

In U.S. sugarcane factories, multiple‐body evaporator stations mostly consist of Robert's‐type calandria (rising film) evaporators that are simple, robust and easy to operate, but are susceptible to scaling and require periodic cleanings. Scaling reduces heat transfer, but its effect on sucrose losses is unknown. Therefore, a comprehensive study was conducted at a U.S. factory to determine the effects of time between evaporator cleanings on overall sucrose losses and evaporator performance. The factory operated two Robert's pre‐evaporators in parallel, and three sets of triple‐body Robert's evaporators in parallel. Each body was usually subjected to a 9‐day cleaning cycle, and two cleaning cycles were studied in early and midseason, respectively. Gas chromatography was used to determine sucrose losses asΔ% glucose/% sucrose ratios. A wide range of 0.21–1.42% total sucrose losses to acid hydrolysis were measured across the station, which were affected by seasonal changes in clarified juice quality. Losses in the pre‐evaporators were up to 98% of the total station losses in early season but decreased in midseason, and were more a function of temperature, heating surface, °Brix (% dissolved solids), scaling and pH than retention time (R_t). Scaling had a dramatic effect on increasing sucrose losses, because it causes increases in R_ts as a result of decreased heat transfer coefficients and flow rates, and rises in the heating juice temperature to partially compensate for the reduced heat transfer in scaled tubes. For both pre‐evaporators, as time between cleanings increased from 1 to 8 days, the amount of sucrose hydrolysis increased. In general, hydrolysis occurred in the first and second evaporator bodies only when scale had built up, i.e., >6 days after the last cleaning, and became worse until the next cleaning. The contribution of sucrose losses to economic losses is described.     

Effect of some thermal and chemical pretreatments on smoked Oyster mushroom quality

The effect of different thermal and chemical pretreatments on quality and enzyme activities of smoked mushroom was investigated. Mushrooms were blanched (water and steam) and dipped in different concentrations of sulphites (SO₂), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), ethylene‐di‐amine tetra‐acetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid for 10 min before smoking. Enzyme activities, colour characteristics, microbiological and sensory examinations were carried out every 2 weeks up to 8 weeks of storage in refrigerator at 4 °C. Results could be concluded that smoked mushroom pretreated with SO₂, H₂O₂ and steam blanching had the best colour values, the better score for all sensory characteristics and lower non‐enzymatic browning compared with other pretreatments. The most effective pretreatment against total aerobic bacteria and yeast & moulds were citric acid, EDTA and steam, and then smoking of mushroom can be attributed to the reduction of microbial counts. The most effective pretreatments on quality and safety of smoked mushrooms were H₂O₂ and steam. It can be concluded that thermal and chemical treatments, rather than smoking of mushroom, reduce enzyme activities and are suitable to preserve mushrooms.     

s‐Ethyl Cysteine and s‐Methyl Cysteine Protect Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Against Hydrogen Peroxide Induced Injury

Protective effects and actions from s‐ethyl cysteine (SEC) and s‐methyl cysteine (SMC) for BEAS‐2B cells were examined. BEAS‐2B cells were pretreated with SEC or SMC at 4, 8, or 16 μmol/L, and followed by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treatment. Data showed that H₂O₂ enhanced Bax, caspase‐3 and caspase‐8 expression, and declined Bcl‐2 expression. However, SEC or SMC dose‐dependently decreased caspase‐3 expression and reserved Bcl‐2 expression. H₂O₂ increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and lowered glutathione level, glutathione peroxide, and glutathione reductase activities in BEAS‐2B cells. SEC or SMC pretreatments reduced ROS generation, and maintained glutathione redox cycle in those cells. H₂O₂ upregulated the expression of both p47^phox and gp91^phox. SEC and SMC downregulated p47^phox expression. SEC or SMC at 8 and 16 μmol/L decreased H₂O₂‐induced release of inflammatory cytokines. H₂O₂ stimulated the activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase. SEC and SMC pretreatments dose‐dependently downregulated NF‐κB p65 and p‐p38 expression. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate or SB203580 inhibited NF‐κB activation and p38 phosphorylation; thus, SEC or SMC pretreatments failed to affect protein expression of these factors. These novel findings suggest that SEC or SMC could protect bronchial cells and benefit respiratory epithelia stability and functions.     

Desorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of sweet corn cultivars (Zea mays L.)

The desorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of two cultivars of sweet corn were obtained during the drying process of these products. The isotherms were determined by a dynamic method for various temperature and humidity conditions. Equilibrium moisture content (X_eq) data were correlated by the Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer model and an artificial neural network (ANN) model. These models were fitted to the experimental data. The X_eq for corn grain increased with an increase in the relative humidity at fixed temperature and decreased with an increase in temperature at a constant relative humidity. The experimental data were analysed by a thermodynamic approach to obtain the isosteric heat of desorption (ΔH), differential entropy (ΔS), activation energy (E_a) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG). The ΔH and ΔS increased with a decrease in moisture content, while ΔG decreased exponentially with an increase in X_eq. The Arrhenius equation was used to obtain E_a values, with Supersweet corn having higher E_a.     

Effect of chemical and physical pretreatments on the convective drying of cape gooseberry fruits (Physalis peruviana)

Drying of cape gooseberry fruits is a slow process because of the low permeability to moisture of the fruit’s waxy skin. In this work, the effect of chemical pretreatments (sunflower oil/K₂CO₃ or olive oil/K₂CO₃ at 28 °C, and NaOH/olive oil at 96 °C) and physical pretreatments (blanching) to break down the waxy surface and accelerate moisture diffusion during drying, was assessed. Drying was carried out at 60 °C and 2 m/s air velocity for 10 h. The lowest moisture content (0.27 kg water/kg db), the highest vitamin C content (0.36 mg/g), and the greatest rehydration capacity (1.89) were obtained in fruits pretreated with olive oil (9.48%) and K₂CO₃ (4.74%). However, the greatest changes in color (ΔE^* = 15.05) and chroma (ΔC^* = 9.03) were also associated to fruits pretreated with olive oil and K₂CO₃. The effective diffusivity of water during drying was 7.37 × 10⁻¹¹ m²/s in pretreated samples compared with 6.61×10⁻¹¹ m²/s for untreated samples.