COMPOSITIONAL CHANGES OF STRAWBERRY DUE TO DEHYDRATION, COLD STORAGE AND FREEZING–THAWING PROCESSES

Strawberry is an excellent source of food ingredients, although compositional changes might occur in improperly controlled processing, affecting product quality. In this article, changes in sugar composition (glucose, fructose and sucrose), citric acid, water and total soluble content, as induced by partial dehydration and freezing–thawing processes, were analyzed in strawberries (var. Camarosa). Osmotic dehydration (OD) with 65 °Brix sucrose solution, air drying (AD) at 45C, or combined treatments (OD–AD) were applied to reduce strawberries’ water content to 70–85%. Fresh and dehydrated samples were frozen (?40C, 24 h) and stored (?18C, 30 and 180 days). All samples processed by OD and OD–AD showed a significant sugar gain, and depending on the dehydration treatment, total or partial sucrose hydrolysis was observed. Dehydration treatments caused small losses of citric acid. During the freezing–thawing process, drip loss and enzymatic action also cause changes in sugar concentration, especially in OD‐treated samples.     

Effect of osmotic dehydration with different osmosis agents on water status,texture properties,sugars, and total carotenoid of dehydrated yellow peach slices

The water status, texture properties, sugars, and total carotenoid of dehydrated yellow peach slices pretreated with or without osmotic dehydration (OD) combined with heat pump drying were studied. In this study, different osmotic agents were used, namely, sucrose and isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) with 30 °Brix for 1, 3, and 5 h. Results showed that the dehydrated samples pretreated by sucrose-OD with the best shape and cell structure showed lower hardness compared to the dehydrated yellow peach slices with IMO-OD pretreatment and without OD pretreatment. Notably, the highest total carotenoid content was found in dehydrated yellow peach slices pretreated by IMO-OD, followed by samples without OD, and samples with sucrose-OD pretreatment. In addition, the lowest a_W (0.517) was obtained in samples with IMO-OD for 5 h, which was beneficial for storage. The assessment of water status and total carotenoid content of dehydrated yellow peach slices showed that IMO-OD pretreatment could better improve the quality of dehydrated fruits. Moreover, the use of IMO in OD treatment was a good alternative to sucrose.     

Electronic Nose to Detect Strawberry Aroma Changes During Osmotic Dehydration

ABSTRACT:  An electronic nose was used to detect the aroma evolution of strawberry fruits, cultivar "Camarosa," during the osmotic dehydration in sorbitol and sucrose solutions. Strawberry slices were subjected to osmotic dehydration at 30 °C for 1, 2, 4, and 6 h using either 60% sucrose or 60% sorbitol solutions. Volatile compounds of fresh and processed strawberry slices were analyzed by electronic nose and gas chromatography. Electronic nose was able to reveal changes in the aroma profile during processing and permitted differentiation between dehydrated strawberry samples obtained by different osmotic treatments. The electronic nose has the advantage of being simple, rapid, and nondestructive. Such characteristics and the promising results of this work suggested that this device could be a useful and innovative tool to monitor strawberry aroma changes during osmotic dehydration, providing real-time information about the effects of processing conditions and allowing the optimization of technological parameters.     

Changes in optical and mechanical properties during osmodehydrofreezing of kiwi fruit

The influence of osmotic dehydration and freezing–thawing on optical (colour and translucency) and mechanical properties of kiwi slices were analysed. Osmotic treatments were carried out in sucrose solutions up till the soluble solids in kiwi fruit reached 30 °Brix, both at atmospheric pressure (OD) and by applying a vacuum pulse (PVOD). Analyses were carried out on fresh and dehydrated samples before and after frozen storage (at −18 °C for 1 and 30 days). Reflexion spectra (400–700 nm) were measured to obtain the Kubelka–Munk coefficients and CIE-L*a*b* colour co-ordinates. Mechanical properties were analysed through the compression test. A transparency gain was observed in PVOD treated samples and in frozen–thawed samples, which implied a reduction in product clarity and chrome. Colour hue did not change notably, due to either osmotic treatments or freezing. Samples treated with 45 °Brix osmotic solution at atmospheric pressure were the best preserved in mechanical properties after freezing–thawing.     

Influence of osmotic dehydration and freezing on the volatile profile of kiwi fruit

The effect of osmotic dehydration on the volatile fraction of kiwi fruit was studied, as well as the effect of freezing and frozen storage. Osmotic treatments were carried out in sucrose solutions until the kiwi fruit reached 30°Brix, at atmospheric pressure (OD) and by applying a vacuum pulse (PVOD), by using 45 and 65°Brix sucrose. Volatile compounds of fresh, dehydrated and frozen-stored (at −18 °C for 1 month) samples were obtained by simultaneous distillation-extraction, and analyzed by GC-MS. Osmotic dehydration provoked formation of esters and a decrease in aldehydes and alcohols, depending on the dehydration treatment applied, which is similar to what occurs during kiwi ripening. A severe reduction of all volatile compounds occurred after one month in frozen storage, which smoothes the changes induced by osmotic treatments. Only small differences between dehydrated and non-pretreated frozen/thawed samples could be recognized.     

Effect of Power Ultrasound and Pulsed Vacuum Treatments on the Dehydration Kinetics,Distribution, and Status of Water in Osmotically Dehydrated Strawberry: a Combined NMR and DSC Study

The effect of power ultrasound and pulsed vacuum (PV) treatments on the dehydration kinetics and the status of water during osmotic dehydration of strawberries was investigated. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to determine the spatial distribution and status of water within the cellular and intercellular spaces. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the freezing point depression and the amount of frozen water. Osmotic treatment was performed by immersing the samples in 25 and 50 % (w/w) sucrose solutions at 40 °C for 3 h. Water loss and solid gain of strawberry samples were measured and the data were fitted by Peleg’s model. The Peleg’s model fitted the experimental water loss and solid gain kinetics data well (R ²?>?0.98). At a given sucrose concentration, the highest water loss and the highest decrease in firmness occurred while using ultrasound treatment, while the highest solid gain and the highest firmness values were achieved by pulsed vacuum treatment. LF-NMR signals were able to quantify the effect of water-osmotic solute exchange on the cell compartments (vacuole, cytoplasm plus intercellular space, and cell wall). The LF-NMR data showed that the relative space occupied by the vacuole decreased and the relative space occupied by the cytoplasm and intercellular space were increased due to these osmotic treatments. MRI results indicated that a bright “water strip” appeared in the periphery of all the osmotically dehydrated samples. DSC results showed that the decrease in water content and the increase in the osmotic solutes depressed the initial freezing point and the freezable water content in osmotically dehydrated strawberry.     

PILOT PLANT FOR OSMOTIC DEHYDRATION OF FRUITS: DESIGN AND EVALUATION

This work proposes a pilot scale equipment for osmotic dehydration (OD) of apple cubes that consists of a novel agitation‐immersion device, a bag filter and a vacuum evaporator to conduct simultaneously the OD process, filtration and reconcentration of the osmotic solution (OS). The functional method analysis was used to design the pilot plant. Apple cubes (～1 cm³) were dehydrated using a 60 ° Brix sucrose syrup OS at 50C and a syrup/fruit ratio of 5. OD was conducted either with or without reconcentration of the OS. During the OD process particles of fruit were eliminated from the OS by filtration and the OS concentration was kept at 60 ° Brix by reconcentration in the evaporator. A comparison of the dehydration parameters of apple cubes obtained at pilot scale to those obtained at laboratory scale was done to evaluate the performance of the pilot equipment. The results show that the proposed set‐up can be suitable for commercial production of osmodehydrated fruits.     

Rehydration Studies on Pretreated and Osmotically Dehydrated Apple Slices

ABSTRACT: The influence of different pretreatments (freezing, blanching, high electric field pulse, and high pressure) and osmotic dehydration (OD) times (0 to 6 h) on some characteristics of rehydrated apple was investigated. Pretreated apple slices were osmotically dehydrated, oven dried, and rehydrated in distilled water at room temperature. Rehydration capacity (RC) increased with OD time. Blanched and prefrozen samples had higher RC, firmer rehydrated samples, and greater dry-matter loss than the other pretreated samples. There was no change (P > 0.05) in the color of the samples before and after rehydration. The electrical conductivity of the immersion medium increased with rehydration time but decreased with OD time.     

Microscopic features, mechanical and thermal properties of osmotically dehydrated guavas

The effects of an osmotic dehydration process using sucrose and maltose solutions at 40 and 60 °Brix on microscopic features and some mechanical and thermal properties of guava tissue were studied. Also the addition of calcium lactate to the sugar solutions, aiming at preserving the structure of the processed fruits, was investigated. The guava texture (stress at failure) and the structure as observed by light microscopy were both evaluated, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to verify the interaction between calcium ions and cell wall pectin in the guava tissue. The calcium content of the differently treated samples was also related to microscopic features, mechanical and thermal properties of guavas. The osmotic process using sucrose and maltose solutions caused severe structural damage to the guava tissue, and this effect was intensified at higher sugar concentrations and by the use of sucrose solutions. The addition of calcium lactate promoted maintenance of the guava structure, showing turgid cells with well-defined cellular contours, resulting in an increase in hardness and indicating bonding between the Ca²⁺ and cell wall pectin, which was confirmed by the DSC experiments.     

Process conditions effect on the quality of banana osmotically dehydrated

Banana is greatly perishable and does not resist freezing, hence dehydration is the preservation technique of choice. This paper deals with the effect of process conditions on both the dehydration kinetics and the final quality of banana osmotically dehydrated. Banana slices (5 mm thick, 23 mm diameter) were osmotically dehydrated for 4 h, following a 3² full factorial design (temperature (30, 40, and 50 °C), sucrose concentration (45, 55 and 65% w/w)) with experiments in triplicate. The kinetics of dehydration efficiency (DE) and mass loss (DM) and the quality of osmotic dehydrated banana, was analysed through the measurement of colour, final volume (V/V⁰) and shape changes (SF).Both temperature and sucrose concentration in the osmotic solution had a significant effect on DE but had no significant effect on DM. Peleg’s equation fitted well the data for DM and DE during OD. Sucrose concentration and temperature, had no significant effect on DM after 4 h OD or at the equilibrium mass loss (DM^e) (p > 0.05), however, temperature had a significant effect on the initial rate of DM (p < 0.05). Sucrose concentration and temperature, had no significant effect on the colour parameters (L, Chroma and Hue), but showed a significant effect on V/V⁰ and SF, with temperature having a more extensive negative impact on V/V⁰ and SF than sucrose concentration. Process temperature (low temperature, e.g., 30 °C) has to be carefully selected in order to reach a compromise between OD rate and an appropriate final product quality. The reduction in the kinetics caused by low temperature could be compensated by using highly concentrated sucrose solutions (as much as 65%), which would favour the compositional changes with a lesser impact on the product quality.     

Volatile profile of mango (Mangifera indica L.), as affected by osmotic dehydration

The effect of osmotic dehydration on the volatile fraction of mango fruit was studied. Osmotic treatments were carried out at atmospheric pressure (OD) and by applying a vacuum pulse (PVOD). Sucrose at 35, 45, 55 and 65 °Brix was used as osmotic solution until reaching 20 or 30 °Brix in the liquid phase of dehydrated mango. Volatile compounds of fresh and dehydrated samples were obtained by simultaneous distillation–extraction, and analyzed by GC–MS. In general, osmotic dehydration provoked changes in the concentration of analyzed compounds to different extents, depending on process conditions. The use of highly concentrated osmotic solutions, and the high level of sample osmodehydration, induced losses of volatiles with respect to the fresh samples. On the other hand, more heavily diluted solutions and shorter treatment times (lower osmodehydration level) could give rise to the enhancement of volatile production. In these cases, sample mass loss was reduced during treatment since sugar gain was promoted against water loss.     

Effect of liquid nitrogen pretreatments on osmotic dehydration of blueberries

Fresh blueberries are highly perishable and must be preserved by either freezing or drying technologies. However, moisture impermeability of their skin is a barrier against the moisture diffusion slowing down the drying process. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of liquid nitrogen pretreatments on osmotic dehydration kinetics of two blueberry species, Vaccinium corymbosum L. and Vaccinium angustifolium Ait, and on the physicochemical quality of dehydrated fruits.     

Rehydration and sorption properties of osmotically pretreated freeze-dried strawberries

The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of osmotic dehydration and type of osmotic solution on selected physical properties of freeze-dried strawberries. Frozen Senga Sengana strawberries were dehydrated in osmotic solution with water activity of about 0.9 (sucrose and glucose solutions and starch syrup). Osmotically dehydrated fruits were frozen and freeze-dried at heating shelf temperature of 30 °C for 24 h.     

Microwave vacuum drying of osmotically dehydrated mandarin cv. (Sai‐Namphaung)

Mandarin [mandarin cv. (Sai‐Namphaung)] was subjected to osmotic dehydration prior to microwave vacuum drying. Osmotic solutions were varied using different ratios of sucrose to glycerol (9:1, 7:3 and 5:5 w/w). Because of the decreased moisture content and solid gain during osmotic dehydration, dielectric properties of mandarin were changed significantly (P ≤ 0.05). The osmotically dehydrated mandarin was then dried further using microwave vacuum drying at 4.8 and 6.4 W g^?1. Among thin layer models, page model was the best to describe the drying of osmotically dehydrated mandarin. An increase in the microwave power could increase drying rate without significant effect on hardness of dried samples. Nonetheless, the hardness was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced by an increase in the glycerol ratio in the osmotic solution. The increase in microwave power and glycerol ratio significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased β‐carotene content and thereby affected colour of the dried mandarin.     

芒果片真空预处理联合超声辅助渗透脱水的传质动力学及品质分析

为解决芒果果脯生产过程中传质效率低、加工时间长的问题,该文研究了脉冲真空预处理联合超声辅助渗透脱水对芒果传质动力学、质量特性和微观结构的影响。结果表明：脉冲真空预处理联合超声辅助渗透脱水组的芒果失水率（54.43%）最高,较常规渗透脱水、脉冲真空预处理渗透脱水、超声辅助渗透脱水组分别高45.85%、14.06%、29.38%,增固率（12.81%）较常规渗透脱水、超声辅助渗透脱水、脉冲真空预处理渗透脱水组分别高90.03%、53.43%、32.06%。用Azuara模型拟合渗透脱水过程中失水率和增固率的变化,高回归系数（R2>0.97）和低RMSE表明Azuara模型可以较好拟合芒果渗透脱水过程,预测脉冲真空预处理联合超声辅助渗透脱水组的平衡脱水率、增固率最高,分别为65.06%和23.35%。测定色泽和质构,发现超声辅助渗透脱水组、脉冲真空预处理联合超声辅助渗透脱水组芒果硬度值显著低于常规渗透脱水组和脉冲真空预处理渗透脱水组（p<0.05）,而芒果色泽得到了较好保护。通过扫描电镜的观察,发现超声处理使芒果细胞壁塌陷与变形、细胞横截面积变小、微孔增多。此外,真空对芒果硬度和微观结构的影响均较小。综上,脉冲真空预处理联合超声辅助渗透脱水通过改变芒果细胞结构、增加传质微通道,提高了渗透脱水的效率,缩短加工时间,可以较好保护芒果色泽,但会导致硬度的下降。     

Water Diffusion and Concentration Profiles During Osmodehydration and Storage of Apple Tissue

The objective of this work was to study the mobility of water and sucrose during osmotic dehydration and storage of apple tissue and to conduct an analysis of the behavior of the effective diffusion coefficients determined from concentration profiles. Osmotic dehydration (OD) of apple was carried out at 40°C for 1 h, and the solution: sample ratio was 20:1 (w/w). Samples of 20-mm diameter were extracted from the dehydrated apple immediately after the OD process and after 4 and 24 h of storage at 25 °C. Moisture of these samples and soluble solids content were analyzed. Our results showed, after 1 h of OD, the outer layer of the apple sample lost 0.37 kg water/kg apple and gained 0.30 kg sucrose/kg apple. These values decreased toward the internal layers of the apple. A fine layer of greatly dehydrated cells was formed on the surface around the sample, which determined the mass transfer rate in the whole tissue. Smaller mass transport rates were observed in the development of concentration profiles during storage. Diffusion coefficients obtained for the outer layer after 1 h of OD were 1.53 × 10⁻¹⁰ and 1.05 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s for water and sucrose, respectively. The analysis of compositional profiles developed during osmodehydration was a useful tool to get a better understanding of the changes in the water activity of the outer layer of the apple tissue.     

Evaluation of process conditions on osmotic dehydration and quality indexes of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and further polymeric film selection for packaging and refrigerated storage

We studied the influence of composition and concentration of solutions and product size on mass transfer kinetics during Anco pumpkin osmotic dehydration (OD). Once optimal conditions were determined, samples packed in commercial polymeric films were microbiologically analysed during refrigerated storage. The optimal OD time was 3 h, when the efficiency index WL/SG (water loss/solid gain) was stabilised. At this time, 1.0 and 1.5 cm cubes presented the highest index value (about 11) in binary solution (sucrose 55°Bx). WL was higher in 1.0 cm cubes for each dehydrating ternary salt solution tested, and no significant differences in firmness were observed with Calcium Lactate addition. Thus, optimal condition for OD in ternary solutions was 180 min and 55°Bx – 2% NaCl. Microbiological determinations were done for dehydrated (55°Bx without/with 2% NaCl) and untreated samples, packaged in different polymeric films. The combination with lowest mesophilic and psychrophilic counts at day 10 was: samples dehydrated with ternary solution of sucrose-salt packed in Polypropylene film.     

Physiology of pre-cut mango. I. ACC and ACC oxidase activity of slices subjected to osmotic dehydration

Physiologically mature mangoes were ripened for 6 days at 24°C and 98% relative humidity. Slices from these fruits were osmotically dehydrated by immersion in sucrose 65°Brix at 30°C and 211 mbar vacuum during 30 min. Slices not subjected to osmotic dehydration (NOD) and slices with osmotic dehydration (OD) were stored at 24, 13 or 5°C. The respiration rate of both slice types was affected by the storage temperature. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthesis indicated activity of ACC synthase in both slices as well as in the whole fruit. ACC oxidase activity was greater in OD slices as compared to NOD and that was associated to better membrane stability. OD favored compaction of external layer in slices. No ethylene was detected in slices; however, the tissues did not lose their ability to synthesize ethylene. Results suggest that OD under vacuum may be beneficial as a pre-treatment of mango slices for longer shelf life under refrigeration.     

Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity and osmotic dehydration in Granny Smith apple

Osmotic dehydration (OD) permits the preservation of foods via a decrease in water content and an increase in solute concentration. Osmotically dehydrated fruits such as apple are suitable for the manufacture of desserts, cakes, salads, yoghurts, etc. Different microstructural and engineering aspects of OD are already known, but its effects on enzymatic activity are still unknown. This study analyses the activity of polyphenoloxidase (PPO) in fresh Granny Smith apples and the effect that OD by immersion in sucrose‐saturated syrup has on this activity. The low PPO activity found in the edible parenchyma of osmotically dehydrated apples is attributed to penetration by the osmotic agent and flooding of the intercellular spaces, which produces a low moisture content and a limited O₂ concentration in the immediate environment of the enzyme. These results show that OD prevents enzyme–substrate interaction. Thus the low PPO activity would reduce browning of this type of product. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Unravelling process-induced pectin changes in the tomato cell wall: An integrated approach

The activity of the pectin-modifying enzymes pectin-methylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) in tomato fruit was tailored by processing. Tomatoes were either not pretreated, high-temperature blanched (inactivation of both PME and PG), or high-pressure pretreated (selective inactivation of PG). Subsequently, two types of mechanical disruption, blending or high-pressure homogenisation, were applied to create tomato tissue particle suspensions with varying degrees of tissue disintegration. Process-induced pectin changes and their role in cell-cell adhesion were investigated through in situ pectin visualisation using anti-pectin antibodies. Microscopic results were supported with a (limited) physicochemical analysis of fractionated walls and isolated polymers. It was revealed that in intact tomato fruit pectin de-esterification is endogenously regulated by physical restriction of PME activity in the cell wall matrix. In disintegrated tomato tissue on the other hand, intensive de-esterification of pectin by the activity of PME occurred throughout the entire cell wall. PG was selectively inactivated (i.e. in high-pressure pretreated tomatoes), with de-esterification of pectin by PME, which resulted in a high level of Ca²⁺-cross-linked pectin and a strong intercellular adhesion. In non-pretreated tomato suspensions on the other hand, combined PME and PG activity presumably led to pectin depolymerisation and, hence, reduced intercellular adhesion. However, because of the high amount of Ca²⁺-cross-linked pectin in these samples, cell-cell adhesion was still stronger than in the high-temperature blanched tomatoes, in which the absence of PME activity during suspension preparation implied few Ca²⁺-cross-linked pectic polymers and extensive cell separation upon tissue disruption.