Effects of home preparation on pesticide residues in cabbage

Experiment was carried out to evaluate the pesticides (chlorpyrifos, p,p-DDT, cypermethrin, chlorothalonil) residue levels in cabbage in the process of home preparation by washing with different concentrations of acetic acid and sodium chlorine, and tap water, preserving in refrigerator, and stir-frying for different time. Results showed that washing by tap water and/or detergent solution for cooking are necessary to decrease the concentration of pesticide residues in cabbage. Washing with acetic acid solutions (at 10% concentration for 20 min) caused 79.8%, 65.8%, 74.0% and 75.0% loss of the above pesticides, respectively. Washing with NaCl solutions (at 10% concentration for 20 min) produced 67.2%, 65.0%, 73.3% and 74.1% loss, respectively, and washing by tap water (for 20 min) were 17.6%, 17.1%, 19.1% and 15.2% loss, respectively. The reductions due to the refrigeration (for 48 h) were 3.4%, 2.6%, 3.1% and 3.6%, respectively, and those due to the stir-frying (for 5 min) were 86.6%, 67.5%, 84.7% and 84.8%, respectively. The data indicated that washing by detergent solutions and stir-frying of cabbage are the most effective home preparations for the elimination of pesticide residues.     

传统水浴提取紫甘蓝红色素动力学研究

本文通过分析传统水浴提取紫甘蓝红色素的传质机理,建立了提取过程中紫甘蓝红色素得率与各工艺条件的动力学模型。经验证,所建立的动力学理论模型与实测数据相吻合,可良好地模拟色素提取过程,用于指导工业生产。     

Effect of pretreatment on surface topographical features of vegetables during drying

It is well recognized that many adverse changes occur to a food product during drying. Various pretreatment methods have thus been introduced to maintain the quality of the product. Among the various qualities, or properties, of a food product surface characteristics are one of the most important as these affect directly the consumer acceptance of the product. In terms of food safety surface characteristics may also be related to the attachment and hence thermal resistance of pathogenic microorganisms on the product surface. In this study attempt was made to investigate changes of the surface topographical features of vegetables as affected by pretreatment (blanching in hot water or soaking in 0.5-1.5% v/v acetic acid solution) and hot air drying (60 °C); cabbage and spring onion were selected as model vegetables to represent different natural topographical features of vegetables. An image analysis technique was used to monitor the changes of vegetable surfaces after pretreatment and during drying. The surface characteristic changes of vegetables were described quantitatively in terms of the relative roughness factor (R). It was observed that the surface characteristic changes, as affected by both pretreatment and drying processes, could be well monitored by the evolution of the R value.     

灭克锰锌防治白菜霜霉病效果

比较了五种杀菌剂对白菜霜霉病的防治效果。田间试验结果表明２０％灭克可湿性粉剂和６０５灭克锰锌可湿性粉剂防治白菜霜霉病效果较突出，灭克１０００倍防效在９２．８％－９４．３％之间，灭克锰锌１０００倍防效在８６．９％－８７．６％之间。     

Effect of Drying Process Parameters on Dehydrated Cabbage Enriched with Selenium

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) enriched with selenium through foliar spraying was used to study the effect of drying process on its selenium retention and other quality criteria. Parameters such as blanching, seasoning, temperature, pH, and time of treatment were studied and evaluated to obtain an optimal processing condition for dehydrated selenium-enriched cabbage. After blanching, the barrier for mass and heat transfer of cabbage cellular materials became lower so that the heat damage was high. Blanching parameters set at 95°C and 60 s retained selenium and vitamin C in cabbage best as well as inactivated enzymes present in cabbage. Seasoning reduced the water activity of cabbage and subsequently reduced the loss of selenium. Blanching and seasoning could prevent browning deterioration of cabbage and reasonably kept the fresh color. The selenium loss kinetics during drying obeyed the first-order reaction and its activation energy was 44.0 kJ mol^?1.     

Effect of Sugar Pretreatment on Quality of Dehydrated Cabbage

To reduce the cost of osmotic treatment with glucose and fructose in production of dehydrated cabbage, use of a low-price additive, namely, high-maltose syrup, as an osmotic agent was investigated. The results showed that high-maltose syrup had more efficient dehydration and osmosis capability than fructose. Effect of additives on drying rate at 80 and 65°C was also investigated. Osmotic pretreatment with high-maltose syrup was helpful in reducing energy consumption and for enhancement of the drying rate.     

Pectin methylesterase catalyzed firming effects on low temperature blanched vegetables

The effect of low temperature blanching on firmness of eight vegetables was studied. Preheating vegetables at low temperatures prior to a conventional blanch resulted in firmer products. Temperature and time had significant effects on texture, with temperature the most influential. Under optimal conditions, firmness improvements in preheated vegetables as compared to blanched controls were: Bok choy—3.0 × (65 °C, 45 min); Chinese cabbage—1.8 × (55 °C, 45 min); cabbage—1.6 × (65 °C, 15 min); green bell peppers—1.36 × (70 °C, 15 min); sugar snap peas—1.7 × (65 °C, 30 min); carrots—2.1 × (60 °C, 15 min) and broccoli—2.9 × (60 °C, 15 min). Thermal stability and optimal temperature for pectin methylesterase in homogenates from these vegetables were also analyzed. The relationship between optimum preheating conditions for textural integrity and pectin methylesterase activity is discussed.     

Effect of Drying Process Parameters on Dehydrated Cabbage Enriched with Selenium

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) enriched with selenium through foliar spraying was used to study the effect of drying process on its selenium retention and other quality criteria. Parameters such as blanching, seasoning, temperature, pH, and time of treatment were studied and evaluated to obtain an optimal processing condition for dehydrated selenium-enriched cabbage. After blanching, the barrier for mass and heat transfer of cabbage cellular materials became lower so that the heat damage was high. Blanching parameters set at 95°C and 60 s retained selenium and vitamin C in cabbage best as well as inactivated enzymes present in cabbage. Seasoning reduced the water activity of cabbage and subsequently reduced the loss of selenium. Blanching and seasoning could prevent browning deterioration of cabbage and reasonably kept the fresh color. The selenium loss kinetics during drying obeyed the first-order reaction and its activation energy was 44.0 kJ mol^-1.     

Chemical stimulants and deterrents regulating acceptance or rejection of crucifers by cabbage butterflies

GravidPieris rapae butterflies oviposit on many, but not all, crucifers. Rejection ofErysimum cheiranthoides andCapsella bursa-pastoris was initially explained by the presence of chemical deterrents in the plants. Analyses and bioassays of plant extracts indicated the absence of oviposition stimulants inC. bursa-pastoris, but similar chemical separation ofE. cheiranthoides extracts revealed the presence of stimulants as well as deterrents. Choice tests illustrate how acceptance or rejection of a plant by an insect may depend on the balance of positive and negative chemical stimuli within the plant.     

Efficacy of Ozonated Water Against Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora in Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis

Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc) is a bacterial pathogen that causes decay of vegetables and is found in a wide range of Brassica crops in the Shanghai area, particularly in non-heading Chinese cabbage (NHCC). In this study, aqueous ozone was used as an antimicrobial agent to prevent the growth of Ecc bacterial colonies. Ecc that were treated with aqueous ozone were completely inactivated after the bacteria had been exposed to 0.5 mg/L ozone at 28 °C. Furthermore, a susceptible NHCC cultivar was directly sprayed with different concentrations of dissolved ozonated water as a pesticide substitute. The effects of the treatments on morphology were analyzed, and some treatments were characterized by induction of visible symptoms of senescence. No negative effects were observed after treatment by spraying ozonated water compared with the control at concentrations below 8 mg/L. However, visible damage to leaves was observed after the plants were exposed to 10 mg/L ozonated water via spraying for 15 days during the plant reproductive stage. Additionally, enzyme activities and antioxidant responses gradually increased to a certain degree and then decreased in the untreated and ozonated water-treated plants. These results showed that ozonated water was effective in restraining pathogens and potentially defending against disease in growing NHCC plants within a certain concentration range. These results provide a theoretical basis for preventing disease by applying ozonated water to vegetables as an alternative to pesticides.