Zein-based anti-browning cling wraps for fresh-cut apple slices

The usage of cling wraps is emerging as an easy and cost-effective approach to protect fresh-cut fruits and vegetables from dust, whilst improving visual appeal on retail counters. This study focused on developing an alternate, protein-based packaging material as a food grade cling wrap for food packaging applications. Zein-based cling wraps were produced, and their physical and mechanical characteristics were evaluated and compared with conventionally used chitosan biopolymer films and commercial synthetic polymer films. Antioxidant potential of the prepared films was studied, and the effectiveness of the developed films as anti-browning cling wraps was evaluated using studies conducted on fresh-cut apple slices at ambient conditions. Anti-browning effects were in par with polymeric counterparts; however, zein cling wraps could better prevent weight loss in apple slices. Zein-based films can be adopted as biodegradable food grade cling wraps as an alternative to chitosan and synthetic polymeric materials.     

Dietary exposure to acrylamide in a group of Japanese adults based on 24-hour duplicate diet samples

Acrylamide is a probable human carcinogen and known human neurotoxin that can be generated in food through heating. Using a mathematical modelling approach, our previous study estimated long-term average dietary exposure to acrylamide in the Japanese people; however, the validity of these estimates remained unknown. Here, we aimed to obtain a more accurate estimate of acrylamide exposure that would reflect the usual practice of heat processing and consumption of foods in the population. We collected duplicate diet samples and dietary records during 24 h from a group of Japanese adults. A total of 110 duplicate diet samples were analysed for acrylamide by LC-MS/MS. Data from individual dietary records were used to examine the association between dietary acrylamide exposure and consumption of selected food groups (e.g., coffee, tea, confectioneries, and vegetables prepared at high temperature [deep-frying, stir-frying, sautéing, and baking]). Of the 110 homogenised diet samples, 108 contained detectable levels of acrylamide. Dietary exposure to acrylamide ranged from 8 to 1582 ng/kg body weight (bw)/day, with the mean value of 215 ng/kg-bw/day and median value of 143 ng/kg-bw/day. This mean value was higher than the value we previously estimated for Japanese adults using a mathematical approach. Multiple linear regression analysis showed log dietary acrylamide exposure was significantly associated with consumption of coffee and vegetables prepared at high temperature during 24-hr of sampling (adj. R² = 0.250, p < 0.001). We revealed significant difference in dietary acrylamide exposure between participants who had coffee and vegetables prepared at high temperature (median, 169 ng/kg-bw/day; range, 35–1224 ng/kg-bw/day, n = 42) and those who had none of them (median, 75 ng/kg-bw/day; range, 8–311 ng/kg-bw/day, n = 15) (Steel-Dwass test, p < 0.05).     

Pathway to health: Cluster-randomized trail to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among smokers in public housing.

Objectives: Examine the effectiveness of an intervention to increase fruits and vegetables (FV) consumption among smokers. Design: Cluster-randomized trial of 20 public housing developments; 10 randomly assigned to an FV intervention and 10 to a smoking cessation intervention. Main outcome measures: Usual (past 7 days) and past 30 days change in daily FV intake at 8 weeks and 6 months postbaseline. Results: Greater increases were seen in the FV group. At Week 8 and Month 6, the FV group had consumed 1.58 (p = .001) and 0.78 (p = .04), respectively, more daily FV servings in the past 7 days than the cessation group. At the same time points, the FV group had consumed 3.61 (p = .01) and 3.93 (p = .01), respectively, more FV servings in the past 30 days than the cessation group. Completing more motivational interviewing sessions (p = .02) and trying more recipes (p = .02) led to significantly greater increases at Month 6 among FV participants. Conclusions: Motivational interviewing counseling and lifestyle modification through trying out healthy recipes may be effective in helping a high-risk population increase their FV intake. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A survey of nitrate and nitrite content of fruit and vegetables grown in Slovenia during 1996-2002

Monitoring of nitrate (NO₃^-) and nitrite (NO₂^-) content in agricultural products in Slovenia has been carried out since 1996. The results of monitoring over the period 1996-2002 are presented. During this time 924 samples of 14 different agricultural products (potato, lettuce, apples, carrot, silage maize, cabbage, grapes, peaches, string beans, cereals, pears, cucumbers, strawberries and tomato) were analysed. The samples were taken at the time of maturity directly from growing sites and they were analysed using segmented flow analysis. The average nitrate contents were the highest in lettuce (1074 mg kg^-1), cabbage (881 mg kg^-1), string beans (298 mg kg^-1) and carrot (264 mg kg^-1), and they were moderately high in potato (158 mg kg^-1), silage maize (122 mg kg^-1), strawberries (94 mg kg^-1), cucumbers (93 mg kg^-1) and cereals (49 mg kg^-1). Low nitrate contents (below 6 mg kg^-1) were found in fruit (grapes, peaches, apples and pears) and tomato. With the exception of cereals (8.9 mg kg^-1), apples (1.5 mg kg^-1), potato (1.2 mg kg^-1) and pears (1.0 mg kg^-1) the content of nitrites did not exceed 0.5 mg kg^-1. It may be concluded that the results of the monitoring were in most cases similar to the results of investigations obtained in other countries.     

Effect of Calcium Lactate, 4-Hexyl Resorcinol and Vacuum Packing on Physico-chemical, Sensory and Microbiological Qualities of Minimally Processed Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruits are very susceptible to pericarp browning which adversely affects consumer acceptability even though the aril portion remains in excellent condition. Litchi arils (litchis) were treated with a solution containing 0–2% (w/v) calcium lactate (CL), 0–0.02% (w/v) 4‐hexyl resorcinol (4‐HR) and 1% potassium sorbate. The pH of solution was adjusted to 4.0 with citric acid. Treated litchis were packed in polystyrene trays, over‐wrapped with polypropylene film, vacuum‐packed (0, 47409.3, 94831.9 Pa) and stored at 4 ± 2 °C. Drip losses, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), sensory attributes and microbiological quality of stored samples were estimated. A four‐factor, three‐level experimental design (D₆ Hokes design) with 19 experiments was chosen. Mathematical models were developed to analyse and predict the effect of CL, 4‐HR, in‐package vacuum and storage time on the responses. TSS, pH and sensory scores decreased significantly (P 0.01), whereas drip losses and microbial count increased significantly (P 0.01) with time. Drip loss was significantly (P 0.1) reduced by addition of CL. 4‐HR prevented browning and changes in colour score during storage were significantly less. Vacuum in packages exerted significant (P 0.01) effect over pH, TSS, sensory and microbiological qualities of minimally processed litchis.     

开放式热风穿流干燥蔬菜降低能耗的研究进展

开放式热风干燥（AD）工艺以其设备成本低、操作和维修简单等特点，在国内大批量脱水蔬菜生产中仍占有较高的比例。但开放式AD蔬菜的能耗高，故对其进行节能技术研究是项急需而有意义的。我们可以从AD工艺前处理、AD和其它干燥方法联合、干燥系统改进、余热回收以及工艺参数再优化等5个方面来降低AD蔬菜生产中的能耗。     

健康型蔬菜水果清洁剂的研制

本实验发明了一种化合物组合：新型乳化剂、天然植物碱、纳米降解剂、助溶剂、天然香型和水等组成。通过试验筛选出最佳配方，并且测定了该清洁剂的去污能力、杀菌能力、对残留农药降解效果、泡沫性能、表面张力和稳定性。结果表明，该产品制备简便、综合洗洁性能好，具有较大市场前景。     

新型复合果蔬汁饮料的制作

研究了一种新型复合果蔬汁饮料的制作工艺。以芹菜、番茄和大白菜作为原材料,采用面包酵母驱除蔬菜所带有的异味,以壳聚糖作为新型澄清剂进行复合果蔬汁饮料的澄清,再采用新型抑菌剂羧甲基壳聚糖进行复合果蔬汁饮料的防腐,通过单因素试验和正交试验最终确定复合果蔬汁饮料的最佳配方。结果表明,复合果蔬汁饮料的最佳配方为:番茄汁60%、芹菜汁20%、大白菜汁20%、浓缩苹果汁0.3%、白砂糖2.5%、柠檬酸0.03%。面包酵母驱除蔬菜异味的用量为0.5%、壳聚糖作为澄清剂的用量为0.4 g/L、羧甲基壳聚糖作为防腐剂的用量为0.15%。     

四川家庭泡菜风味影响因素的实验论证

泡菜口味咸甜、微酸、爽口开胃,是四川居民喜欢食用的家常小菜和川菜不可或缺的调味原料,本文主要探索泡菜在泡制过程中的一些变化和最佳口感风味形成的因素,并对四川家庭风味泡菜的制作工艺流程进行了初步探索,以促进泡菜产业的发展。