Inhibitory effect of onion extract on polyphenol oxidase and enzymatic browning of taro (Colocasia antiquorum var. esculenta)

The inhibitory effect of onion extract on polyphenol oxidase and enzymatic browning of taro was investigated. The polyphenol oxidase from taro was strongly inhibited by various reducing agents, such as l-ascorbic acid, l-cysteine, dithiothreitol, glutathione and sodium pyrosulfite. The enzyme was also inhibited by addition of onion extract. Regardless of substrates used, the addition of heated onion extract at 100 °C for 10 min, gave a stronger inhibitory effect on taro polyphenol oxidase activity than did fresh unheated extrtact. The inhibitory effect of onion extract was dependent on heating temperature and time. The addition of glucose, glycine, or both to the onion extract, during heating, stimulated the inhibitory effect of the onion extract, suggesting that non-enzymatic browning products, produced during heating, might be responsible for the stronger inhibitory action of the heated onion extract.     

洋葱提取液对鲜切马铃薯褐变的影响

使用洋葱的磷酸缓冲溶液提取液对马铃薯PPO酶活抑制率以及鲜切片贮藏保鲜进行了研究。结果表明，洋葱提取液抑制马铃薯PPO酶活的效果分别达到了34．2％和59.3％，且经100℃水浴加热的洋葱提取液对马铃薯PPO酶活的抑制效果优于新鲜的洋葱提取液。在贮藏实验中洋葱提取物通过对贮藏过程中鲜切薯片的硬度、色度和PPO酶活力变化的测定，初步证实了洋葱提取液具有防褐变效果。     

Prevention of enzymatic browning of pear by onion extract

Onion extract was prepared by extracting onion with water, and the effects of the extract on pear polyphenol oxidase and browning of pear were investigated. The polyphenol oxidase of pear was inhibited by onion extract, and the inhibitory effect of onion extract toward pear polyphenol oxidase was increased with the heated extract. The inhibitory effect of the extract was increased with increasing heating temperature and time. The browning of pear juice was retarded by addition of both fresh and heated onion extracts. The onion extract inhibited the pear polyphenol oxidase non-competitively. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of onion extract against pear browning seems to be due to the inhibitory effect of onion extract against pear polyphenol oxidase.     

Characterization of chlorophyll degradation in banana and plantain during ripening at high temperature

Bananas fail to fully degreen when ripening at tropical temperatures, but this abnormal symptom does not occur in plantain. To elucidate the temperature effect on banana degreening, comparison of the colour change and chlorophyll degradation pathway between banana and plantain during ripening at 20 or 30 °C was carried out. Compared to bananas ripening at 20 °C and plantains at 20 °C or 30 °C, bananas at 30 °C contained significantly higher levels of chlorophylls, chlorophyllide a and pheophorbide a at the end of the ripening process, linearly correlating to the colour scores of a^∗, b^∗ and Hue angle. Whilst higher chlorophyllase activity was recorded in both banana and plantain at 30 °C as to the fruits at 20 °C, 30 °C inhibited Mg-dechelatase activity in banana, but not in plantain. The reduction of Mg-dechelatase activity in banana peel at 30 °C may contribute to repressed chlorophyll degradation and lead to uneven degreening.     

Effects of fining treatment and storage temperature on the quality of clarified banana juice

The clarified banana juice was subjected to different treatment namely bentonite, combination of gelatin and bentonite and control and stored at 4, 25 and 37 °C for 24 weeks. The effects of fining treatment, storage temperature and storage time on turbidity, total polyphenol, browning index, microbiological, and sensory quality of clarified banana juice were evaluated during storage. Fining treatment, storage temperature and storage time had a significant (p<0.001) effect on turbidity, total polyphenol and browning index of clarified banana juice. Turbidity and browning index of juice were reduced by fining treatment with bentonite and a combination of gelatin and bentonite but increased with storage temperature and storage time. A significant decrease in total polyphenol content and increase in turbidity and browning index were detected for all juice samples during storage. However, it was noted that changes were significantly greater in control juice stored at higher temperature than in juice stored at 4 or 25 °C for up to 6 months. Sensory evaluation revealed that juices treated with bentonite or a combination of gelatin and bentonite and stored at 4, 25 or 37 °C were acceptable for up to six months, whereas untreated juice stored at 37 °C was only acceptable for up to 16 weeks.     

Modification of hemicellulose polysaccharides during ripening of postharvest banana fruit

Alcohol-insoluble residues (AIRs) from postharvest banana fruits at five ripening stages were extracted and isolated. The AIR was fractionated with 1 M KOH or 4 M KOH to obtain hemicellulose polysaccharides 1 (HC1) and 2 (HC2), respectively, and their content, molecular-mass, monosaccharide composition and glycosidic linkages were evaluated. HC1 yield decreased significantly from 126.95 to 21.14 mg/g on fresh weight basis during fruit ripening, but HC2 yield increased and then decreased. Concomitantly, the molecular-mass of HC1 and HC2 decreased obviously, indicating that depolymerization occurred. Moreover, the major monosaccharide compositions were identified as glucose and xylose. The GC–MS analysis further revealed that HC1 and HC2 had a 1,4-linked glucose backbone. During fruit ripening, the molar percentage of 1,4-linked Glcp residues increased in HC1, but decreased slightly in HC2. Overall, this study indicated that the modification and depolymerization of hemicellulose polysaccharides were responsible for banana fruit softening.     

Evaluating banana ripening status from measuring dielectric properties

Electrical properties of banana fruit were studied in order to develop a rapid and non-destructive assessment method and to control its ripening treatment. A 5 V sine wave AC power supply and a rectangular parallel plate capacitor sample were used to span the difference in capacitance caused by the introduction of a banana fruit between the plates. To remove the effect of air gap between the plates, an equivalent capacitor was derived. The correlation between dielectric constant and quality parameters of banana fruit was investigated. The dielectric constant of banana fruit decreased as a result of the ripening treatment. Experiments indicated that the best frequency of sine wave that can predict the level of ripeness was 100 kHz. The coefficient of determination (R²) of ripeness level prediction was obtained 0.94 at this frequency. This method can confidently predict the ripeness level of banana fruit.     

Inhibitory effect of rice bran extract on polyphenol oxidase of potato and banana

Rice bran was extracted with water and its effects on potato and banana polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were investigated. Rice bran extract (RBE), conc. 0.3 g mL^?1, exhibited PPO inhibition in potato and banana PPO with % inhibition of 69.31% and 47.63%, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). RBE showed a concentration‐dependent inhibition on potato and banana PPO. RBE (conc. 0.3 g mL^?1) inhibited potato PPO higher than ascorbic acid, citric acid, NaCl and EDTA (final conc. 20 mg L^?1); and it also inhibited banana PPO higher than citric acid, NaCl and EDTA (final conc. 20 mg L^?1), respectively. The combination of RBE with citric acid or ascorbic acid appeared to be additive inhibitory effect on banana and potato PPO. Kinetic study of the inhibition on potato and banana PPO by RBE showed that RBE was a mixed‐type inhibitor; however, RBE appeared to be able to act directly on enzyme structure rather than substrate structure.     

Expression of genes associated with ethylene-signalling pathway in harvested banana fruit in response to temperature and 1-MCP treatment

BACKGROUND: Little attention has been paid to characterising the ethylene‐signalling pathway genes in relation to abnormal ripening of harvested banana fruit during storage at high temperature. The aim of the present study was to investigate banana fruit abnormal ripening and the expression of ten genes associated with the ethylene‐signalling pathway, namely MaACS1, MaACO1, MaERS1–4 and MaEIL1–4, at high temperature. Changes in these parameters of banana fruit at high temperature in response to 1‐MCP pretreatment were also investigated. RESULTS: High temperature accelerated the decline in fruit firmness, increased ethylene production and inhibited degreening in banana fruit, resulting in fruit abnormal ripening. In addition, the expression of MaACS1, MaACO1, MaERS2, MaERS3, MaERS4, MaEIL1, MaEIL3 and MaEIL4 was enhanced in banana fruit stored at high temperature. However, application of 1‐MCP prior to high temperature storage delayed fruit abnormal ripening and simultaneously suppressed the expression of MaACS1, MaERS2, MaERS3, MaEIL1, MaEIL3 and MaEIL4. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggested that the expression of genes associated with the ethylene‐signalling pathway might be involved in banana fruit abnormal ripening at high temperature. Application of 1‐MCP suppressed the expression of genes associated with the ethylene‐signalling pathway, which may be attributed at least partially to 1‐MCP delaying fruit abnormal ripening at high temperature. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Study of banana dehydration using sequential infrared radiation heating and freeze-drying

The drying and quality characteristics of banana slices processed with a sequential infrared radiation and freeze-drying (SIRFD) method were investigated. Cavendish bananas slices with 5 mm thickness were predehydrated using IR heating at each one of three radiation intensities, 3000, 4000, and 5000 W/m² or hot air at 62.8 °C. The predehydrated samples with 20% and 40% weight reductions obtained using 4000 W/m² IR intensity were then further dried using freeze-drying for various times to determine the effect of predehydration on the drying rate during freeze-drying. To improve the quality of dried banana chips, the banana slices were also treated with a dipping solution containing 10 g/l ascorbic acid and 10 g/l citric acid before the IR predehydration. Control samples were produced using regular freeze-drying without the predehydration. The quality characteristics of dried banana chips, including color, thickness shrinkage and crispness, were evaluated. The predehydration results showed that the drying rate of IR heating was significantly higher than the hot air drying and increased with the increase of IR intensity. For example, it took 10 and 38 min to achieve 40% weigh reduction by using IR at 4000 W/m² and hot air drying, respectively. However, the banana slices with IR predehydration dried slower during freeze-drying compared to the samples without predehydration, which was due to texture changes that occurred during the predehydration. Acid dipping improved product color and also reduced freeze-drying time compared to non-dipped samples. It has been concluded that SIRFD can be used for producing high crispy banana chips and additional acid dipping improved product color and reduced required freeze-drying time.     

Properties of polyphenol oxidase from Anamur banana (Musa cavendishii)

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was extracted from Anamur banana, grown in Turkey, and its characteristics were studied. The optimum temperature for banana PPO activity was found to be 30 °C. The pH-activity optimum was 7.0. From the thermal inactivation studies, in the range 60–75 °C, the half-life values of the enzyme ranged from 7.3 to 85.6 min. The activation energy (E_a) and Z values were calculated to be 155 kJ mol⁻¹ and 14.2 °C, respectively. K_m and V_max values were 8.5 mM and 0.754 OD₄₁₀ min⁻¹, respectively. Of the inhibitors tested, ascorbic acid and sodium metabisulphite were the most effective.     

Using hydrocolloids to decrease oil absorption in banana chips

The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of hydrocolloids (alginate, CMC and pectin) on the oil absorption in fried banana chips. The control banana chips (no hydrocolloid treatment) had oil content as high as 40 g/100 g sample, whereas the sample blanched in 0.5 g CaCl₂/100 ml water and following with immersion in 1 g alginate/100 ml water exhibited a small decrease of oil uptake (p ≤ 0.05) to 38 g/100 g sample. The others which treated with 0.5 g CaCl₂/100 ml and 1 g pectin/100 ml water, and with 0.25 g CaCl₂/100 ml water and 1 g CMC/100 ml water absorbed much less oil (p ≤ 0.05), approximately 23 g/100 g sample. Besides, pectin-treated chips had higher sensory scores in all attributed than CMC-treated sample. These resulted showed that pectin was the most effective hydrocolloid for low fat fried banana chip production. Scanning electron microscope photographs indicted that coating banana chips with pectin was effective in protecting the cellular structure of the banana tissue from damage during deep-fat frying.     

Enrichment of table olives with polyphenols extracted from olive leaves

The possibility to increase the nutritional value of table olives using polyphenols extracted from olive leaves was studied. Leaves were subjected to extraction using water with proportions of 1%, 5% and 10% of leaves and various temperatures and times (room temperature/24 h, 40 °C/10 min and 70 °C/5 min). The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined using the Rancimat method and their content in oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol was determined by HPLC. The extract with the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol content (10% ratio of olive leaves extracted at room temperature for 24 h) was used for the treatment of debittered table olives. The treated and untreated olives were subjected to determination of their α-tocopherol, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol content. A 457% increase was observed for oleuropein and 109% for hydroxytyrosol content after treatment. Sensory evaluation of treated table olives showed an increase in bitterness. However, treated and untreated table olives showed equal overall acceptability and overall preference.     

Production of a banana (Musa cavendishii) extract containing no polyphenol oxidase by ultrafiltration

The objective of this research was the production of a banana extract containing no polyphenol oxidase by ultrafiltration. Banana juice was extracted after inhibition of polyphenol oxidase using a solution containing 0.15 g per 100 ml of sodium metabisulphite and 1 g per 100 ml of ascorbic acid in distilled water to avoid initial browning. Polyphenol oxidase was then retained by ultrafiltration using polysulphone membranes with a cut‐off of 20 kDaltons. Two transmembrane pressures, 600 and 800 kPa, were used but 600 kPa was preferred because of the more stable permeate flux which decreased less with time and concentration of extract. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of aqueous chlorine dioxide treatment on browning of fresh-cut lotus root

Effect of aqueous chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) treatment on browning of fresh-cut lotus root (FLR) was investigated to explore the feasibility to apply ClO₂ for browning inhibition of fresh-cut products. Cut lotus roots were treated in ClO₂ solutions at different concentrations (10, 50 and 100 mg/l) for different time (5, 10 and 15 min), followed by chilled storage for 8-10 days at 4 °C. Color parameters (L^∗, a^∗ and b^∗), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and overall visual quality (OVQ) were measured at one-day interval during storage. Results showed that higher ClO₂ concentration and longer treatment time can provide better inhibitory effects on the browning of FLR. ClO₂ concentration, treatment time and storage time were three significant factors (P < 0.05) and some significant interactions were observed. PPO activities were largely inhibited by 100 mg/l ClO₂ treatment for 10 min. The 100 mg/l ClO₂ treatment maintained high OVQ scores during 10-day storage; while 50 mg/l ClO₂ treatment was acceptable for maintaining OVQ during 4-day storage. ClO₂ treatment was demonstrated to be a promising alternative approach to control browning and improve OVQ of FLR.     

Studies on banana fruit quality and maturity stages using hyperspectral imaging

Banana fruit quality and maturity stages were studied at three different temperatures, viz., 20, 25, and 30 °C by using hyperspectral imaging technique in the visible and near infrared (400-1000 nm) regions. The quality parameters like moisture content, firmness and total soluble solids were determined and correlated with the spectral data. The spectral data were analyzed using the partial least square analysis. The optimal wavelengths were selected using predicted residual error sum of squares. The principal component analysis was also used to test the variability of the observed data. By using multiple linear regressions (MLR), models were established based on the optimal wave lengths to predict the quality attributes. The coefficient of determination was found to be 0.85, 0.87, and 0.91 for total soluble solids, moisture and firmness of the banana fruits, respectively. The change in TSS and firmness of banana fruits stored at different temperatures, viz., 20, 25, and 30 °C during the ripening process followed the polynomial relationships and the change in moisture content followed a linear relationship at different maturity stages.     

INHIBITION OF RIPENING AND INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID OXIDASE OF BANANA FRUIT BY p-2,4-CHLOROPHENOXY-ISOBUTYRIC ACID

p-2,4-dichloro-phenoxy-isobutyric acid (p-CPIB) was observed to repress the ripening of green banana fruit after injection into the peel-pulp juncture at concentrations ranging from 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻³M. Application of 10⁻²M p-CPIB resulted in rapid necrosis at the site of injection and accelerated ripening at distal areas of the banana. Repression of ripening occurred regardless of whether fruit were gassed with exogenous ethylene. Indole-3-acetic acid oxidase isolated from the pulp of banana fruit was inhibited by concentrations of p-CPIB which repressed ripening. In addition, injection of indole 3-acetic acid and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid into the peel-pulp juncture delayed ripening for up to 15 days at 10⁻³M. It is suggested the p-CPIB affected ripening in banana fruit by blocking the oxidative metabolism of endogenous auxins     

Thermal properties and resistant starch content of green banana flour (Musa cavendishii) produced at different drying conditions

The objective of this research was to verify the effect of drying conditions on thermal properties and resistant starch content of green banana flour (Musa cavendishii). The green banana flour is a complex-carbohydrates source, mainly of resistant starch, and quantifying its gelatinization is important to understand how it affects food processing and the functional properties of the flour. The green banana flour was obtained by drying unripe peeled bananas (first stage of ripening) in a dryer tunnel at 52 °C, 55 °C and 58 °C and air velocity at 0.6 m s⁻¹, 1.0 m s⁻¹ and 1.4 m s⁻¹. The results obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves show a single endothermic transition and a flow of maximum heating at peak temperatures from (67.95 ± 0.31) °C to (68.63 ± 0.28) °C. ANOVA shows that only drying temperature influenced significantly (P < 0.05) the gelatinization peak temperature (Tp). Gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH) varied from 9.04 J g⁻¹ to 11.63 J g⁻¹ and no significant difference was observed for either temperature or air velocity. The resistant starch content of the flour produced varied from (40.9 ± 0.4) g/100 g to (58.5 ± 5.4) g/100 g, on dry basis (d. b.), and was influenced by the combination of drying conditions: flour produced at 55 °C/1.4 m s⁻¹ and 55 °C/1.0 m s⁻¹ presented higher content of resistant starch.