Effects of blanching, freezing and freeze-drying on the fatty acid contents of green beans

GC-FID was used to monitor changes over time in palmitic, stearic, arachidic, oleic, linoleic and linoleic acid contents of green beans subjected to various preservation treatments. In beans stored in polyethylene bags at –22°C without prior blanching, all fatty acid contents dropped appreciably within the first month of storage, regardless of whether the beans had been hand- or vacuum-packed. In beans which had been freeze-dried then stored at room temperature in an airtight container, polyunsaturated fatty acid contents dropped appreciably only after 2 months.     

射频热水联合漂烫对鲜切西兰花过氧化物酶活性的影响

摘 要：目的 研究射频热水联合漂烫对鲜切西兰花过氧化物酶（Peroxidase,POD）活性的影响。方法 采用6 kW,27.12 MHz自由振荡式平行极板射频系统,对500 g不同切割尺寸（50、30和20 mm）的西兰花在不同极板间距（90、95、100、105和110 mm）和不同漂烫目标温度（70、80、90°C）下进行射频加热,测定射频漂烫速率和均匀性。以愈创木酚、过氧化氢为底物,通过分光光度计法,对单独射频、单独热水、射频热水联合处理后西兰花POD相对酶活进行测定。结果 西兰花射频加热后的POD相对酶活是射频加热温度和持续时间的双重作用,针对中间尺寸西兰花,与单独热水漂烫（90°C,120 s）相比,射频（70°C,59 s）和热水（90°C,10 s）联合可将漂烫时间缩短至69 s,漂烫时间减少了42.5%,能量效率提高了110%。此时的最佳漂烫条件为：极板间距90 mm,西兰花尺寸30 mm,射频漂烫目标温度70°C,热水温度90°C。结论 射频热水联合是一种高效、高品质的漂烫处理方法,能够有效降低西兰花中过氧化物酶活性且获得最佳的能量利用效率。     

Stability of fructooligosaccharides,sugars and colour of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) roots during blanching and drying

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) root is an important source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). This study evaluated the influence of the blanching and drying processes on the sugars, FOS and colour of the obtained flour. Blanching in boiling water of 5 mm slices for 6 min allowed to inactivate 95% of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity. Blanching solutions containing ascorbic, citric and lactic acid were detrimental in terms of FOS retention (68.2–87.4%) due to hydrolysis mainly of GF3, GF4 and GF5 FOS, and also important losses of reducing sugars (RS) were observed (69.5–87.4% retention). Blanching treatments that included ascorbic acid/CaCl₂ prevented RS and FOS losses and improved colour of the obtained flour. The drying tested temperatures of 50–80 °C did not affect the RS retention and FOS losses associated to hydrolysis and the use of 80 °C rapidly reduced the water content and minimised browning reactions yielding flours with excellent colour characteristics with high FOS content that can be derived to the elaboration of prebiotic containing functional foods or for the extraction and purification of FOS.     

Modelling the effect of pH on the colour degradation of blanched broccoli

In ready-to-eat salads, a low pH is often applied in the salad dressing. The effect of pH on the colour change of blanched-frozen-and-thawed broccoli was studied. Different acids were used to achieve the pH values in buffer solutions. A model on chlorophyll degradation in fruits and vegetables was developed based on a simplification of existing knowledge. From integral non-linear regression analysis, it was concluded that the pH gradient at the boundary between product and buffer solution had a marked effect at low pH values. Furthermore, based on the analyses and the obtained residuals, another colour degrading process was revealed that gradually increases in relative importance at higher pH values. The effect of the five acids applied could be attributed to a single proportionality factor, probably related to the hydrophilic nature of the acid applied. The statistical analysis showed a percentage variance accounted for (R²_adj) of more than 99.6%. The apparent rate of colour degradation was found to be linearly related to the concentration of hydrogen ions.     

Influence of blanching and low temperature preservation strategies on antioxidant activity and phytochemical content of carrots, green beans and broccoli

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of blast freezing and blanching in combination followed by chilling, on the antioxidant activity (ARP), phenols, ascorbic acid and colour of broccoli, carrots and green beans. No significant changes (p > 0.05) in ARP of blanched frozen (BLFR) broccoli, carrot and green beans were observed. In contrast, UBFR (unblanched frozen) treatments caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in ARP and ascorbic acid content of vegetable samples. BLFR treated samples had better retention of antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid as compared to UBLR counterparts at chill storage (4 °C) for 7 days. However, no significant changes were observed in phenol content for all vegetables. Ascorbic acid decreased exponentially for both blanched and unblanched samples. The reaction rate constant (k) increased from 1.06 × 10⁻¹ day⁻¹ to 1.17 × 10⁻¹ day⁻¹ for blanched and unblanched broccoli florets and from 4.6 × 10⁻³ day⁻¹ to 1.98 × 10⁻¹ day⁻¹ for blanched and unblanched carrots during 7 days storage. Result presented here indicates greater stability of nutritional parameters for BLFR samples compared to UBFR samples during 7 days storage at 4 °C for all vegetables.     

Effects of freezing on the pigment content in green beans and padrón peppers

 The amounts of chlorophylls a and b, β-carotene and lutein in green beans, blanched green beans and Padrón peppers, all frozen at −22 °C, were monitored over 12 months by reverse-phase, gradient HPLC (C18 column, visible detection). In unblanched beans, these amounts of the pigments decreased considerably during month 1, but were generally stable during the next 11 months (β-carotene content decreased further in month 2 before stabilizing). Similar results were obtained for blanched beans, but decreases were offset by increases due to blanching (carotenoids) and lipoxygenase deactivation (β-carotene), or enhanced by blanching-induced decreases (chlorophylls). In contrast, the amounts of pigments in frozen Padrón peppers fluctuated around more or less constant values over the 12 months. Freezing in bags sealed under vacuum lead to moderate decreases in chlorophyll a in Padrón peppers and in β-carotene in blanched green beans. Received: 22 July 1996 / Revised version: 4 December 1996     

Modelling the change in colour of potassium sorbate powder during heating

Colour change of potassium sorbate caused by heating was statistically modelled to examine its potential as a time–temperature process indicator. A full factorial design with five levels of heating time ( t ) and temperature ( T ) was used. L , a and b values were measured by a HunterLab colorimeter, and second-order polynomial models were developed. Heating significantly reduced L and increased b values, causing the potassium sorbate powder to turn dark yellow, possibly because of non-enzymatic browning reactions. Statistically significant models with good fit were developed for L and b , and their response surfaces were generated. This potassium sorbate-based system may be a suitable indicator for high-temperature heating processes such as dry heat sterilizers or baking ovens.     

Inactivation of peroxidase and lipoxygenase in carrots, green beans, and green peas by combination of high hydrostatic pressure and mild heat treatment

The efficiency of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) with the combination of mild heat treatment on peroxidase (POD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inactivation in carrots, green beans, and green peas was investigated. In the first part of the study, the samples were pressurized under 250–450 MPa at 20–50 °C for 15–60 min. In the second part, two steps treatments were performed as water blanching at 40–70 °C for 15 and 30 min after pressurization at 250 MPa and 20 °C for 15–60 min. Carrot POD was decreased to 16% residual activity within the first 30 min at a treatment condition of 350 MPa and 20 °C and then it decreased to 9% at 60 min. When the carrots were water blanched at 50 °C for 30 min after HHP treatment of 250 MPa at 20 °C for 15 min, 13% residual POD activity was obtained. For green beans, the most effective results were obtained by two steps treatment and approximately 25% residual POD activity was obtained by water blanching at 50 °C for 15 min after pressurization at 250 MPa and 20 °C for 60 min. An effective inactivation of POD in green peas was not obtained. For carrots, LOX activity could not be measured due to very low LOX activity or the presence of strong antioxidants such as carotenoids. After pressurization at 250 MPa and 20 °C for 15 or 30 min, water blanching at 60 °C for 30 min provided 2–3% residual LOX activity in green beans. The treatment of 250 MPa for 30 min and then water blanching at 50 °C for 30 min provided 70% LOX inactivation in green peas.     

Kinetic evaluation of colour, texture, polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of Irish York cabbage after blanching treatment

York cabbage was blanched between 80 and 100 °C with an increment of 5 °C for up to 14 min and kinetics of the different physicochemical properties were studied. Significant reductions in the texture, colour, polyphenols (PPs) and antioxidant (AO) capacity were observed due to blanching. Total phenolic and flavonoid content retained ranged from 19.6-24.5% to 22.0-25.7%, respectively. Heavy losses in the AO capacity of 74.0-82.0% also occurred as a result of blanching. Blanching caused a significant reduction in firmness of 24.0-73.2% and a similar trend was also observed for colour. Kinetic evaluation of degradation was carried out for all the studied quality parameters. The fractional conversion first-order reaction model showed a good fit for the different studied parameters, with coefficients of determination ranging from 0.892 to 0.992, except for texture and colour, which followed first order and zero order kinetics, respectively. The temperature effect followed the Arrhenius law, with activation energies for polyphenolic content, AO capacity, colour and texture calculated as 9.22-11.5, 9.05-35.05, 15.73 and 33.8 kJ/mol K, respectively.     

Effect of pH on chlorophyll degradation and colour loss in blanched green peas

Effect of pH on the chlorophyll degradation and visual green colour loss in blanched green peas were studied at 70, 80, 90 and 100 °C in buffered solutions of pH 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5. The degradation of chlorophylls a and b followed a first-order reaction and the temperature-dependence of these reactions was modelled by the Arrhenius equation. The activation energies ranged from 4.80 ± 0.91 to 14.0 ± 0.71 kcal mol⁻¹ for chlorophyll a and from 6.84 ± 0.29 to 11.0 ± 1.06 for chlorophyll b with varying pH values. The visual green colour degradation, as represented by the change of the −a (greenness), the ratio −a/b and hue (h) values measured by tristimulus colorimeter, also followed a first-order reaction. Activation energies for −a values ranged from 8.13 ± 0.71 to 12.0 ± 1.07 kcal mol⁻¹, and for −a/b values ranged from 8.77 ± 1.34 to 12.0 ± 1.07 kcal mol⁻¹ with varying pH values at 70, 80, 90 and 100 °C.     

Influence of blanching and freezing broccoli (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">italica</Emphasis>) prior to storage and cooking on glucosinolate concentrations and myrosinase activity

Glucosinolates contribute to the chemoprotective effects of Brassica vegetables. The influence of blanching and freezing broccoli, followed by storage or cooking, on its glucosinolate concentration and myrosinase activity was investigated. Myrosinase activity was reduced by 93%, while glucosinolate concentration was unaltered after blanch-freezing broccoli. Blanch-frozen Brassica retained the glucosinolate content of its fresh counterpart after storage at T = −20 °C for up to 90 days. Fresh or blanch-frozen broccoli was stir-fried, boiled, boiled and kept hot for 2 h, or left uncooked. Stir-frying retained the highest glucosinolate concentration and myrosinase activity, regardless of pre-cooking. Boiling and keeping blanch-frozen broccoli hot completely denatured myrosinase and decreased glucosinolate concentration by 42%. Aromatic and indole glucosinolates were reduced to a larger extent than aliphatic glucosinolates, especially when boiled broccoli was kept hot. The final concentration of glucosinolates in Brassica is influenced by cooking, while the myrosinase activity is modified by pre-treatment and subsequent cooking.     

Quality changes during storage of sous vide cooked green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

 The acceptability and quality of sous vide cooked green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were investigated during chilled storage. A suitable heating procedure was established whereby 2.0-kg packages were heat processed at 90°C for 25 min, corresponding to an average pasteurization value, PV_70,10, of 14 min. During storage for up to 25 days at 3°C drip loss, pH, colour (Minolta L ^* a ^* b ^*), texture (Instron) and microbiological stability were examined and sensory characteristics evaluated by a trained sensory panel. No marked changes in texture, drip loss, pH or microbiological counts were observed but a change of colour from green to olive green was observed by both objective and sensory analyses. This detrimental change in colour, which had begun during the first week, was the limiting factor for shelf-life during storage. Subsequent reheating, however, resulted in further colour changes which partially obscured the initial differences observed during the storage period. Storage for more than 1 week resulted in undesirable quality changes in the odour and flavour of the green beans. Therefore, a maximum shelf-life of 8 days at 3°C was recommended. Inoculation trials showed that psychrotrophic Bacillus cereus were able to germinate and grow to levels of 10⁷ g^–1 in the packages at abuse temperatures (7°C and 17°C), whereafter numbers declined. Received: 21 April 1997     

Hydrocolloids from coffee: physicochemical and functional properties of an arabinogalactan–protein fraction from green beans

The arabinogalactan–protein (AGP) fraction of green coffee beans accounts for 15% of the dry bean. A procedure was developed to solubilise most of the AGP content of the beans so that its properties as a hydrocolloid could be investigated. An AGP fraction was partially purified from green arabica coffee beans, its rheological properties characterised and compared to those of some commercially important hydrocolloids, particularly acacia gum. The coffee AGP fraction dissolved readily in water to give colourless clear solutions. The polymer was a polyelectrolyte with a high molecular weight (M_w 3.78×10⁶), characterised by a narrow polydispersity index (M_w/M_n 1.3). The intrinsic viscosity was close to that of acacia gum ([η]=0.23 dL g⁻¹), but a 1 wt% solution of coffee AGP was three times more viscous than acacia gum at the same concentration. Coffee AGP showed Newtonian flow for concentrations below 6 wt%, but above this concentration the flow behaviour entered a shear-thinning regime. The coffee AGP fraction possessed interesting foaming properties providing that the biopolymer concentration was high enough to initially stabilize the interface that is created. The high molecular weight of coffee AGP combined with its globular structure conferred upon it a high ability to retain water within a foam thin film. However, the structure of the interfacial film was less effective than that of acacia gum to entrap efficiently the gas into the foam. In summary, coffee AGP shows some interesting rheological features which suggest that coffee beans could be used as an alternative source of the class of surface-active polymers which find many commercial applications.     

Application of thermal inactivation of enzymes during vitamin C analysis to study the influence of acidification,crushing and blanching on vitamin C stability in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L var. italica)

The effectiveness of heat inactivation of oxidative enzymes e.g., ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) to stabilise vitamin C during extraction and analysis was evaluated. The influence of different sequences of performing treatments including acidification (pH 4.3 vs. pH 6.5), crushing, high temperature short time (90 °C/4 min–HTST) and low temperature long time (60 °C/40 min–LTLT)) blanching on vitamin C stability in broccoli florets and stalks was also investigated. Heat inactivation of enzymes prior to matrix disruption resulted in higher vitamin C values mainly in L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) form, while lack of enzyme inactivation resulted in high vitamin C losses resulting from conversion of L-AA to dehydroascorbic acid. Various treatments and their sequence of application influenced vitamin C stability as follows: (i) crushing prior to blanching reduced vitamin C stability and (ii) in the absence of heating, acidification increased vitamin C stability (iii) blanching prior to crushing resulted in higher vitamin C retention, with HTST blanching retaining more vitamin C than LTLT blanching.     

Correlations of ingredients with sensory attributes in green beans and peas under different storage conditions

The total ascorbic acid contents and the antioxidant capacity in green beans and in peas were measured during deep-frozen storage and compared to storage at 4 °C and 20 °C. In green beans only, the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol were measured. The results were correlated with sensory attributes which were evaluated at the same storage stages. The total ascorbic acid content is a good parameter for the storage time of both vegetables and showed, for peas, a positive correlation with the attribute “sweet taste” and a negative correlation with the attribute “musty” odour. The total ascorbic acid content of green beans was positively correlated with a “squeaky” texture and negatively with a “musty” taste. The flavonol content and the antioxidant capacity were more stable during the storage process and showed less correlation with sensory attributes.     

Microwave-assisted extraction of chlorogenic acids from green coffee beans

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) has been considered as a potential alternative to conventional solvent extraction for the isolation of phenolic compounds from plants. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of green coffee bean obtained by MAE were quantitatively analysed for total yield of extracts, chlorogenic acids, caffeine and total polyphenol content. The extracts were also evaluated for radical-scavenging activity, using 1,1-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl radical. Under optimum conditions of time (5 min), temperature (50 °C) and wattage (800 W), the maximum chlorogenic acids and caffeine could be extracted with water as solvent. The extracts contained chlorogenic acids and caffeine in the ranges of 31–62% and 22–40%, respectively. The yields of MAE under optimum conditions were higher than those from the conventional solvent extraction at 5 min and 50 °C and the extracts showed radical-scavenging activity of >75%, even at the concentration of 25 ppm. The MAE process can thus be predicted and controlled for industrial application.     

Modelling the biological variance of the yellow aspect of Granny Smith apple colour

BACKGROUND: The yellow aspect of colour is usually not considered for produce with a green‐to‐red or a green‐to‐yellow transition upon ripening. The magnitude of change is simply too small and, additionally, masked by a large variation. The colour of ‘Granny Smith’ apples, harvested from three orchards at two stages of maturity, was measured individually using the CIE L*a*b* system during storage in a regular atmosphere at three temperatures: 1, 4 and 10 °C. A model was developed based on a simplified mechanism, consisting of two consecutive reactions, to describe the development of the apple colour expressed as b* and L* values during storage. RESULTS: Monitoring individual apples made it possible to include and describe the biological variance of colour in batches of apples and to extract information on chilling injury, as a process active at 1 °C. All variations could be attributed to a single source related to the amount of yellowing compounds at the moment of harvest, indicating differences in state of maturity between individual apples. The obtained explained part (R²_adj), using nonlinear mixed effects regression analysis was well over 90% for all data combined over more than 3000 observations. CONCLUSION: Orchard location had a slight effect on the mean initial colour value, indicating differences in development stage, most probably due to differences in assessing the harvest date. The magnitude of the variation in these colour values was, however, the same for all three orchards. The behaviour of the green colour aspect (a* value) has been reported separately, as this represents the major change in perceived colour. The changes in b* and L* values are rather small, while the biological variation between the individual fruit is at least of the same magnitude. The model presented here is, as far as known, the first model on b* and L* values for green‐coloured products. Analysing b* and L* data using this model provides additional information with respect to the stage of maturity at harvest in a batch or for an orchard of Granny Smith apples. All the variation in the yellow colour aspects could be attributed exclusively to the initial level of yellow compounds. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Analysis of the tumoral cytotoxicity of green tea-infusions enriched with broccoli

Broccoli has risen as rich in bioactive phytochemicals (glucosinolates and phenolic compounds) closely linked with the reduction of cancer risk. Green tea infusion is a beverage that also contains anticarcinogenic compounds, mainly represented by flavanols. The compounds present in new broccoli-enriched green tea drinks and their potential antitumoral activity in vitro were evaluated. The distinct compounds present in the prepared beverages were identified by HPLC-PAD-ESI-MSn and quantified by HPLC-PAD. Caco-2 and CCD-18Co cell lines were exposed to growing percentages (0.2-5%) of infusions of distinct combinations of plant material. The time-dependent cytotoxicity on the malignant cells was also achieved. Cell death was evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion and a more efficient specific cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells was observed on the cells incubated with the mixture of broccoli and green tea than on cells exposed to control infusions. Broccoli added to green tea resulted in a combination of phytochemicals with antitumoral activity with potential for further developments in mechanistic models and the design of novel foods.     

Comparison of high-performance liquid chromatography and spectrofluorimetry for vitamin C analysis of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

 A spectrofluorimetric method and a chromatographic method [high-performance liquid chromatography – ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) detection] were compared for vitamin C analysis of green beans. For HPLC-UV, the determination was performed before [ascorbic acid (AA)] and after reduction with dithiothreitol [AA + dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA)]; for spectrofluorimetry, DHAA was determined after oxidation with activated charcoal. The fluorimetric determination of DHAA before oxidation was also carried out, and showed good precision but poor accuracy (very high recovery percentages). HPLC-UV showed better linearity and sensitivity, while spectrofluorimetry was more precise. Both methods were suitable for green bean samples, and the choice of which one to use depends on the particular interest of the analysis: spectrofluorimetry may be preferable when the total content of vitamin C is required, but not for individual analysis of each form. HPLC-UV is more suitable when the interest of the analysis is the ascorbic acid form as a deterioration index of vegetable products. Received: 29 March 1999 / Revised version: 12 May 1999     

The effect of shape,blanching methods and flour on characteristics of restructured sweetpotato stick

The blanching methods and controlling dry matter content used in the preparation of mashed sweetpotato (SP) for producing restructured sweetpotato stick (RSS) were studied. The two shapes of trimmed tuber were sliced and diced. Blanching was conducted by (i) boiling for 2 min in water at 100 °C and (ii) blanching in water at 100 °C containing 1% (w/v) sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) for 2 min. Controlling the dry matter content of dough was conducted by adding SP flour (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). Chemical and physical characteristics were determined on the final product. The results from this study showed that blanching in 1% STP for 2 min improves colour and ash content of fried stick. Mixing of 5% SP flour with mashed SP produces suitable dough for further processing. RSS can be produced by a combination of blanching in 1% STP and mixing with 5% SP flour produce an intermediate hardness, high lightness and low redness colouration of RSS.