Low-Temperature Blanching of Sweetpotatoes to Improve Firmness Retention: Effect on Compositional and Textural Properties

ABSTRACT: Low-temperature blanching of sweetpotatoes (SP) prior to cooking has been shown to significantly increase firmness retention. This research investigated the effect of blanching on firmness, pectin methylesterase activity (PME), pectin methylation, and galacturonic acid and cell wall material concentrations in SP tissue subjected to blanching and cooking treatments. PME activity decreased 82% after 20 min of blanching in water at 62°C, while sample firmness continued to increase with blanching time (3.5 N for unblanched and 19.0 N for 90 min blanched, and cooked tissue), indicating that firming due to pectin demethylation explains part of the observed increased firmness retention caused by low-temperature blanching, but unknown factors also play a role.,     

Heat processing of herring.

The release of water and oil, and changes in weight, during the heating and pressing of herring muscle have been studied, in the temperature range 35–112°C and for heating periods up to 60 min. Temperature had a significant effect on the changes, but heating periods up to 60 min did not. Water loss during cooking showed a maximum at 45°C, a minimum at 60°C, followed by a continuing rise to 112°C. There was an inverse relationship between the water loss during cooking and that during pressing, over most of the temperature range. Weight changes paralleled the changes in water content. Losses of oil were small, but varied with the initial oil content of the fish. Comparison is made with earlier work, and the technological implications are considered.     

Consumer Acceptability and Sensory Profile of Cooked Broccoli with Mustard Seeds Added to Improve Chemoprotective Properties

Broccoli, a rich source of glucosinolates, is a commonly consumed vegetable of the Brassica family. Hydrolysis products of glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, have been associated with health benefits and contribute to the flavor of Brassica. However, boiling broccoli causes the myrosinase enzyme needed for hydrolysis to denature. In order to ensure hydrolysis, broccoli must either be mildly cooked or active sources of myrosinase, such as mustard seed powder, can be added postcooking. In this study, samples of broccoli were prepared in 6 different ways; standard boiling, standard boiling followed by the addition of mustard seeds, sous vide cooking at low temperature (70 °C) and sous vide cooking at higher temperature (100 °C) and sous vide cooking at higher temperature followed by the addition of mustard seeds at 2 different concentrations. The majority of consumers disliked the mildly cooked broccoli samples (70 °C, 12 min, sous vide) which had a hard and stringy texture. The highest mean consumer liking was for standard boiled samples (100 °C, 7 min). Addition of 1% mustard seed powder developed sensory attributes, such as pungency, burning sensation, mustard odor, and flavor. One cluster of consumers (32%) found mustard seeds to be a good complement to cooked broccoli; however, the majority disliked the mustard‐derived sensory attributes. Where the mustard seeds were partially processed, doubling the addition to 2% led to only the same level of mustard and pungent flavors as 1% unprocessed seeds, and mean consumer liking remained unaltered. This suggests that optimization of the addition level of partially processed mustard seeds may be a route to enhance bioactivity of cooked broccoli without compromising consumer acceptability.     

Ultrastructural and Changes in Pectin Composition of Sweet Cherry from the Application of Prefreezing Treatments

ABSTRACT: Thermal and calcium pretreatments applied to preserve the sweet cherry texture by the freezing/thawing process produced biochemical changes in the pectic substances and ultrastructural alterations to the cells and tissues, which were visible under scanning electron microscopy. Partial dehydration of the epidermic tissue caused by calcium (100 m M CaCl₂) and thermal (50 °C/10 min) pretreatment attenuated the surface damage produced by freezing. However, pretreatment at 70 °C/2 min caused partial destruction of the epidermic tissue and plasmolysis of the parenchymatic cells. After freezing, the cell walls in the parenchymatic tissue of the fruits pretreated with 100 m M CaCl₂ exhibited swelling as a result of gelling of the cell-wall pectic material. Thermal pretreatments increased the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-soluble pectin fraction and reduced the degree of pectin esterification. Thermal treatments at 70 °C, without immersion in calcium, reduced the water- and pectinase-soluble pectin fractions, whereas immersion in calcium prevented depolymerization of these fractions. Immersion in 100 m M CaCl₂ increased the water-soluble pectin fraction.     

Firmness and Cell Wall Characteristics of Pasteurized Jalapeño Pepper Rings as Affected by Preheating and Storage

Changes in cell wall pectic substances, degree of pectin methylation, bound calcium and firmness were determined in preheated and nonpreheated fresh pack jalapeño pepper rings stored for 5 mo. Pepper rings preheated for 60 min at 50°C in a brine solution (8% NaCl and 0.2% CaCl₂, were firmer, had more nonextrctable pectins (NXP), more bound calcium, less water-soluble and chelator-soluble pectins (CSP), and less pectin methylation than nonpreheated pepper rings. The greater formation and maintenance of nonextractable pectins, which resisted acid hydrolysis during pasteurization and storage is probably an important factor in firming.     

Kinetic Parameters for the Thermal Inactivation of Peroxidase and Lipoxygenase in Precooked Frozen Brassica Species

Thermal inactivation of peroxidase (POD) and lipoxygenase (LOX), both enzymes present in broccoli and Brussels sprouts, is required before freezing, to obtain high‐quality precooked frozen vegetables. Rate constants of a 1st‐order biphasic model for the heat‐labile and heat‐resistant POD and LOX isoenzymes were determined at different temperatures (75, 80, and 90 °C) and the corresponding activation energies were estimated using nonlinear regressions. In the case of Brussels sprouts, the activation energies for the resistant and labile fractions were 56.3 and 62.5 kJ/mol for POD and 63.7 and 65.8 kJ/mol for LOX, respectively. For Brussels sprouts, different precooking times were tested to analyze the effect of residual enzyme activity on quality parameters and sensory attributes, after a frozen storage of 4 mo at ?20 °C. A significant reactivation of enzyme activity after frozen storage was observed (especially in the case of POD) for short precooking times (<6 min) leading to low‐quality parameters at the interior zone of the vegetable. A precooking time of 6 min at 90 °C allowed an adequate inactivation of LOX and POD obtaining a high‐quality final frozen vegetable. A sensory analysis confirmed the global acceptability of the product. The obtained results are relevant to define the precooking stage conditions in the production of frozen cruciferous vegetables.     

PECTINESTERASE-CATALYZED FIRMING EFFECTS DURING PRECOOKING OF VEGETABLES

Many vegetables exhibit a firming effect after precooking at a temperature between 50 and 70C. This effect has generally been attributed to the action of endogenous pectinesterase which hydrolyzes the methyl ester linkages in pectin molecules. The resulting free carboxyl groups then form Ca-bridges between pectin molecules. We have shown, by using the pectinesterases of pea sprouts, that the enzymes catalyzed not only the hydrolysis of the methoxyl groups of pectin molecules, but also a tranacylation reaction of the galacturonic acyl groups from methanol to other hydroxyl groups of pectin. The latter reaction results in the formation of new ester linkages between pectin molecules, which also contributes to the firming of the tissue. The pectinesterases have been separated into four isozymes, PE1, PE2, PE3, and PE5. The isozymes exhibited similar transacylation activity, with the exception of PE5 that did not catalyze transacylation.     

Influence of Pretreatment Conditions on the Texture and Cell Wall Components of Carrots During Thermal Processing

ABSTRACT: Diced carrots ( Daucus carota var. Nerac) were subjected to different pretreatment conditions. The pretreated carrots were subsequently thermally processed in an oil bath (100°C) and in a static retort (equivalent processes [F_oΔ 6 min] at 115°C, 120°C, and 125°C). Changes in texture were analyzed as well as changes in the degree of methylation (DM) of pectin. From all the pretreatment conditions tested, high-pressure pretreated carrots (400 MPa, 60°C for 15 min) exhibited the highest resistance to texture loss. The textural properties were significantly improved when calcium infusion was combined with low-temperature blanching condition (60°C for 40 min). A significant reduction in the DM of carrot pectin was observed for all pretreatment conditions that resulted in a reduced texture loss after thermal processing. A strong negative correlation (r ≥−0.90) exists between the changes in the degree of methylation of carrot pectin and the observed changes in texture.     

Thermal syneresis affected by heating schedule and moisture level in surimi gels

ABSTRACT:  The extent of thermal syneresis in protein gelation is indicative of thermal and freeze-thaw stability as well as the network integrity of a protein gel. Thermal syneresis in Alaska pollock surimi gels was examined under different heating schedules (40 °C/20 min to 90  °C/30 min, 60 °C/20 min to 90 °C/30 min, and 90 °C/20 min to 90 °C/20 min) at varying moisture levels (80%, 82%, and 84%). The extent of syneresis and gel firming was monitored by centrifugation expressible moisture and penetration force, respectively. The occurrence of 2 distinct peaks as a function of time for both thermal syneresis and gel firming suggests that a multistage aggregation is involved in the formation of gel network. All syneresis preceded gel firming upon protein aggregation. Increasing the moisture content in the gel delayed the 2nd stage of protein aggregation. The 60 °C/20 min preheating followed by 90 °C/30 min postheating resulted in significantly greater thermal syneresis and gel weakening compared to 40 and 90 °C preheating. Changes of gel structure clearly reflected thermal syneresis when the size of water pores became smaller with initiation of network formation and progressively larger upon further heating. Thermal syneresis history during protein gelation can be used to predict thermal and freeze-thaw stability.     

Processing of cauliflower by ohmic heating: influence of precooking on firmness

The feasibility of processing cauliflower by ohmic heating was investigated. Firstly, cauliflower florets were precooked in tap water at low temperatures (40–70 °C) for 0 to 60 min. A control sample was cooked at 95 °C for 5 min. No significant textural differences were found between samples treated at 40 or 50 °C and fresh samples, but the firmness of samples cooked above 60 °C decreased. The effect of precooking time was not found to be significant. Secondly, low temperature precooking was performed in salted water for 30 min and followed by ohmic heating (holding time 30 s at 135 °C). After ohmic heating, florets pretreated at low temperatures were firmer than control samples. The firmness of florets precooked at 40 °C or 50 °C was considerably increased (>300%) compared to those precooked at 95 °C. Low-temperature precooking increased the firmness of cauliflower subjected to ohmic heating. The experimental results show that ohmic heating combined with low-temperature precooking in saline solutions offers a viable solution to high temperature/short time sterilisation of cauliflower florets. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of high pressure treatment and thermal pasteurization effects on the quality and shelf life of guava puree

The effects of high pressures and thermal pasteurization on the survival of microorganisms, enzyme inactivation and quality changes of guava puree during storage at 4°C were investigated and compared with untreated samples. After treatment at a pressure of 600MPa and 25°C for 15 min, the microorganisms in guava puree were inactivated to less than 10 cfu mL⁻¹ and the product exhibited no change in colour, pectin, cloud and ascorbic acid content as compared with fresh samples. The inactivation of enzymes in guava puree by thermal pasteurization was greater than by high pressures. The microbial count in guava puree reduced to 200 cfu mL⁻¹ and the product showed marked changes in viscosity, turbidity and colour when heated at 88–90°C for 24s. The content of pectin, cloud and ascorbic acid as well as colour in untreated and high pressurized (400MPa) guava puree gradually decreased, whereas these changes were not observed in pasteurized (88–90°C) and high pressurized (6000MPa) puree during storage at 4°C for 60 days. The guava puree treated at 600MPa and 25°C for 15 min retained good quality similar to the freshly extracted puree after storage at 4°C for 40 days.     

The influence of processing and preservation on the retention of health-promoting compounds in broccoli

ABSTRACT:  In this work the effects of common household practices such as chilling, freezing, and cooking on vitamin C retention in broccoli (Marathon cv.), as well as their influence on the release of sulforaphane upon enzymatic hydrolysis of glucoraphanin by the endogenous enzyme myrosinase, were investigated. When chilled at 6 °C and 95% R.H. for 35 d, broccoli showed a vitamin C and sulforaphane loss of about 39% and 29%, respectively, while storage at –18 °C for 60 d resulted in similar losses, but mainly due to the blanching step. Boiling, steaming, microwaving, pressure-cooking, and the combined use of pressure and microwaves were the cooking methods investigated. Boiling and steaming caused significant vitamin C losses, 34% and 22%, respectively, while with the other treatments more than 90% retention was observed. Sulforaphane was no more detectable after boiling or steaming, while pressure/microwave cooking did not cause any significant loss. The quantitative distribution of these moieties in the florets and stems of fresh and chilled broccoli was also investigated.     

Effects of gas atmosphere, antimicrobial dip and temperature on the fate of Listeria innocua and Listeria monocytogenes on minimally processed lettuce

The growth and survival of inoculated strains of Listeria innocua and L. monocytogenes on minimally processed lettuce were studied. The effects of package atmospheres (lettuce sealed within packages after flushing with 100% N₂ or without flushing with N₂, lettuce sealed within perforated packages), antimicrobial dips (100 p.p.m. chlorine solution for 5 min, 1% citric acid solution for 5 min) and storage temperatures (3°C and 8°C) were investigated. Populations of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes on undipped lettuce stored at 3°C gradually decreased (by 1–1.5 log cycles) during a 14 day storage period. By contrast counts on lettuce stored at 8°C did not change significantly ( P > 0.05). Flushing packages of lettuce with 100% N₂ followed by storage at 8°C resulted in a significant increase ( P < 0.05, by 2–3 log cycles) in L. innocua and L. monocytogenes counts during storage. L. innocua , strain NCTC 11288, behaviour was similar to that of L. monocytogenes (strains ATCC, 19114 and NCTC 11994) under these storage temperatures and atmospheres. Using L. innocua as a model for L. monocytogenes , it was found that dipping lettuce in a chlorine or citric acid solution followed by storage at 8°C resulted in a significant increase ( P < 0.05, by 2 log cycles) in L. innocua populations compared with undipped samples. It is concluded that N₂ flushing or use of antimicrobial dips combined with storage at 8°C, both enhanced the survival and growth of Listeria populations on shredded lettuce.     

LOW-TEMPERATURE, LONG-TIME HEATING OF BOVINE MUSCLE 3. Collagenolytic Activity

SUMMARY: Naturally occurring collagenolytic activity was found in the water-soluble fraction of bovine muscle. General proteolytic activity determined with Azocoll indicated that this total activity was much greater than the collagenase activity specifically determined according to the method of Wünsch and Heidrich. The collagenase fraction was concentrated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the activity of the enzyme was studied under various pH and temperature conditions. This collagenase could remain active in the meat at cooking temperatures experienced in long-time, low-temperature cooking, < 60°C. With faster heating and higher internal temperatures, > 70-80°C, the collagenase observed in this study is inactivated.     

Effects of Cooking Conditions on the Lycopene Content in Tomatoes

ABSTRACT:  Raw tomato contains a high level of lycopene, which has been reported to have many important health benefits. However, information on the changes of the lycopene content in tomato during cooking is limited. In this study, the lycopene content in raw and thermally processed (baked, microwaved, and fried) tomato slurries was investigated and analyzed using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. In the thermal stability study using a pure lycopene standard, 50% of lycopene was degraded at 100 °C after 60 min, 125 °C after 20 min, and 150 °C after less than 10 min. Only 64.1% and 51.5% lycopene was retained when the tomato slurry was baked at 177 °C and 218 °C for 15 min, respectively. At these temperatures, only 37.3% and 25.1% of lycopene was retained after baking for 45 min. In 1 min of the high power of microwave heating, 64.4% of lycopene still remained. However, more degradation of lycopene in the slurry was found in the frying study. Only 36.6% and 35.5% of lycopene was retained after frying at 145 and 165 °C for 1 min, respectively.     

Mechanical Properties of Heat-cured Whey Protein-based Edible Films Compared with Collagen Casings under Sausage Manufacturing Conditions

ABSTRACT: Edible films were produced using whey protein isolate (WPI) (5%, w/v), glycerol (3.3%, w/v) and candelilla wax (0.8%, w/v). One set of films was heat cured at 90°C for 12 h and another at 80°C for 24 h. WPI-based films, together with collagen films, were put through a meat-processing scheme typical of Polish sausage manufacture. Meat-processing conditions were stage 1: 57°C/60 min/36% RH; stage 2: 65°C/90 min/60% RH; and stage 3: 77°C/30 min/80% RH. Effects of meat-processing conditions on mechanical properties: tensile strength (TS), elongation (%E), and apparent modulus (AM) were determined. All films remained intact throughout the process. TS, %E, and AM of collagen films did not change during the multistage cooking process. The %E of heat-cured WPI films was similar to that of collagen films and also did not change during the cooking stages. The TS and AM of both heat-cured WPI-based films were initially lower than collagen films and continued to decline during the cooking stages. TS and AM of both films at the end of cooking were lower ( P < 0.05) than films that did not go through the multistage cooking process.     

LOW-TEMPERATURE, LONG-TIME HEATING OF BOVINE MUSCLE 1. Changes in Tenderness, Water-Binding Capacity, pH and Amount of Water-Soluble Components

SUMMARY: Relationships between the tenderness of very slowly cooked meat and its waterholding capacity, pH and the amount of water-soluble components were studied. Beef muscle portions from the longissimus, semitendinosus and rectus femoris muscles were heated under fixed temperature programs with samples from each analyzed at 1-hr intervals between the 3rd and the 10th hr of heating. Weight losses after holding at the final temperature to the 24th hr were determined. During the first 4 hr of heating there were only minor changes in tenderness. The major decrease in shear values occurred between the 4th and 6th hr, when the meat was warming from 50-60°C. The weight losses increased rather linearly to the 7th hr and remained constant for the longissimus and the semitendinosus muscle. The pH values gradually increased during heating. During the first 3 hr of heating, up to 45°C, there was only a slight decrease in the amount of the water-soluble fraction. During the following 3 hr. from 45 to 58°C, the water-soluble fraction decreased more rapidly and the decrease was only slight during a following 4-hr holding period. After 6 hr of heating to 60°C there were still uncoagulated water-soluble proteins. These studies indicate that the final temperature of meat has great influence on tenderness and weight loss. The significance of the shrinkage of collagen in long-time, low-temperature cooking is considered.     

Cooking method significantly effects glucosinolate content and sulforaphane production in broccoli florets

It is known that glucosinolate levels in Brassica vegetables can be affected during cooking but little is documented about the effect of cooking on isothiocyanate production. In this study, three cooking methods were evaluated for their effects on the contents in broccoli florets of the glucosinolates, glucoraphanin (GR), glucobrassicin (GB), neoglucobrassicin and progoitrin, as well as on sulforaphane (SF) and sulforaphane nitrile (SFN) production in broccoli florets. Two broccoli cultivars, ‘Marathon’ and ‘Booster™’, were analysed raw and after they were steamed, microwaved (with water) or boiled for 2 or 5 min. Residual cooking water from all treatments was collected and analysed for GR and GB to determine the extent of leaching of intact glucosinolates. Irrespective of time, steaming resulted in significantly greater retention of GR, GB and SF, while boiling and microwave cooking resulted in significant losses of GR, GB and SF in both varieties. Glucosinolate content in the residual cooking water was highest after boiling and microwaving. Loss of SF production was primarily due to both leaching of GR into cooking water and thermal inhibition of ESP and myrosinase once internal floret temperatures exceeded 70 °C. Cooking method can significantly alter content of potentially beneficial compounds in broccoli florets and optimal SF ingestion may be obtained by eating raw or lightly steamed broccoli florets.     

DIFFERENTIATION OF MYOFIBRILLAR AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE STRENGTH IN BEEF MUSCLES BY WARNER-BRATZLER SHEAR PARAMETERS

Heat induced changes in aged bovine m. longissimus dorsi (LD) and m. biceps femoris (BF) were studied by water bath cooking to 60, 70 or 80°C at slow (.12°C/min) and fast (.6°C/min) heating rates. Forcedeformation curves from the Warner-Bratzler (WB) shear device were used to evaluate specific changes in the myofibrillar (WB M-force) and connective tissue component (WB C-force) of tenderness. Other measurements include WB peak force value, cooking loss, collagen solubility and sensory evaluations. Differences due to muscle type were significant in all parameters except collagen solubility. Both WB M- and WB C-force were reduced by slow heating rate but for samples heated to 80°C, WB M-force was affected only by heating rate below 60°C while WB C-force was most influenced above 60°C. Effect of final temperature resulted in higher WB M-force from 60°C to 70°C, whereas WB C-force was most affected from 70°C to 80°C. On the contrary, WB peak force was less affected by final temperature. Due to concomitant and opposing changes in myofibrillar and connective tissue strength with increasing end point temperature, it is concluded that improvements in interpretations with regard to heat-induced changes and response of heat treatment in various muscles may be increased by measurement of WB M-force and WB C-force from shear force-deformation curves.     

Towards a better understanding of the pectin structure-function relationship in broccoli during processing: Part I—macroscopic and molecular analyses

To investigate the structure-function relationship of pectin during (pre)processing, broccoli samples (Brassica oleracea L. cultivar italica) were subjected to one of the following pretreatments: (i) low-temperature blanching (LTB), (ii) LTB in combination with Ca²⁺ infusion, (iii) high-pressure pretreatment (HP), (iv) HP in combination with Ca²⁺ infusion, or (v) no pretreatment (control sample), whether or not in combination with a thermal treatment of 15 min at 90 °C. The macroscopic attributes of broccoli were linked to the chemical structure of broccoli pectin. By enhancing the cross-linking of pectic polymers, both LTB and HP reduced the texture loss that occurred during thermal processing of broccoli. During these pretreatments, homogalacturonan was de-esterified by pectin methylesterase, which led to changes in pectin solubility. When LTB or HP was combined with Ca²⁺ infusion, changes in the structure of pectin occurred, however not always reflected at the macroscopic level. The degree of esterification of pectin in Ca²⁺-soaked broccoli samples was lower compared to non-Ca²⁺-soaked samples and, in addition, a higher amount of ionically cross-linked pectin was retrieved.