Synergistic impact of sonication and high hydrostatic pressure on microbial and enzymatic inactivation of apple juice

The combination of innovative, non-thermal technologies for the production of safe and quality fruit juices is a recent trend in food processing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of combined treatment of ultrasound (US) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on enzymes (polyphenolase, peroxidase and pectinmethylesterase), microorganisms (total plate counts, yeasts and molds) and phenolic compounds (total phenols, flavonoids and flavonols) of apple juice. Moreover, its effects on ascorbic acid, antioxidant capacity and DPPH free radical scavenging activity, color values, pH, soluble solids and titratable acidity were investigated. Fresh apple juice was treated with US (25 kHz and 70% amplitude) at 20 °C for 60 min with subsequent HHP treatment at 250, 350 and 450 MPa for 10 min at room temperature. The results revealed that the combined US-HHP450 treatment caused highest inactivation of enzymes with complete inactivation of total plate counts, yeasts and molds. It also significantly improved the phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, antioxidant capacity, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and color values. The present results suggest that the combination of US and HHP can act as a potential hurdle to produce safe and high quality apple juice with reduced enzymes and microbial activity and improved nutrition.     

Influence of ultra-high pressure homogenisation on antioxidant capacity,polyphenol and vitamin content of clear apple juice

Ultra-high pressure homogenisation (UHPH) is a recently developed technology and is still under study to evaluate its effect on different aspects of its application to food products. The aim of this research work was to evaluate the effect of UHPH treatments on quality characteristics of apple juice such as antioxidant capacity, polyphenol composition, vitamin C and provitamin A contents, in comparison with raw (R) and pasteurised (PA) apple juice. Several UHPH treatments that include combinations of pressure (100, 200 and 300 MPa) and inlet temperatures (4 and 20 °C) were assayed. Apple juice was pasteurised at 90 °C for 4 min. Antioxidant capacity was analysed using the oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay while total phenolic content was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteau assay. According to the FRAP and DPPH assays, UHPH processing did not change apple juice antioxidant capacity. However, significant differences were detected between samples analysed by TEAC and ORAC assays. In spite of these differences, high correlation values were found between the four antioxidant capacity assays, and also with total polyphenol content. The analysis and quantification of individual phenols by HPLC/DAD analytical technique reflects that UHPH-treatment prevented degradation of these compounds. Vitamin C concentrations did not change in UHPH treated samples, retaining the same value as in raw juice. However, significant losses were observed for provitamin A content, but lower than in PA samples.     

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on bioaccessibility,as well as antioxidant activity,mineral and starch contents in Granny Smith apple

The aim of this work was to study the effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the bioaccessibility of specific nutrients (antioxidant, minerals and starch) in apple and to establish processing conditions that maximise the health benefits. The apple was pressurised at 500 MPa during 2, 4, 8 and 10 min. The antioxidant activity, mineral and starch content and bioaccessibility of apple samples were significantly affected by the processing and digestion conditions. Therefore, these results indicated that in vitro digestion has a noticeable effect on the antioxidant concentration, IC₅₀, with much lower values (a smaller IC₅₀ value corresponds to a higher antioxidant activity) of apple samples compared with those untreated and non-digestion. Apple has the highest calcium content (30.33 ± 1.94 mg/100 g), iron (14.46 ± 3.49 mg/100 g) and zinc (6.22 ± 0.91 mg/100 g). High hydrostatic pressure increased the mineral contents availability by 2.11–303.00% for calcium, 4.63–10.93% for iron and 8.68–28.93% for zinc. The dialysability and solubility of calcium, iron and zinc with respect to the values for the untreated sample were reduced by this high pressure technique. Consumption of apple under high hydrostatic pressure may supply substantial antioxidants, mineral and starch, which may provide health promoting and disease preventing effects.     

Retrogradation properties of rice starch gelatinized by heat and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)

Retrogradation process of pressure-gelatinized rice starches was investigated and compared with the heat-gelatinized ones in this study. Our results showed that the retrogradation rate of normal rice starch gelatinized by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) was slower than that by heat. Nevertheless, there was no difference in retrogradation rate for waxy rice starch gelatinized by the two treatments (P > 0.05). The DSC data were further analyzed using the Avrami equation. The result indicated that the pressure-gelatinized normal rice starch had a lower recrystallization rate (k) and a higher Avrami exponent (n) than the heat-gelatinized one, but the two treatments did not affect the k and n for waxy rice starch. Furthermore, the intact starch granules and lower amylose leaching were observed only in the pressure-gelatinized normal rice starch. These findings suggest that the retardation mechanism of HHP on starch retrogradation is probably attributed to less broken granules and lower leached amylose.     

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on structure and activity of phytoferritin

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) has drawn considerable attention because of its potential application in food industry. Ferritin, an iron storage protein, is widely distributed in food made from legume seeds, which is highly stable due to its shell-like structure. Therefore, it is of special interest to know whether or not high HHP treatment has effect on this protein. In this study, the structure and activity of soybean seed ferritin (SSF) were examined by circular dichroism spectrum (CD), UV–VIS and fluorescence spectrophotometry in conjunction with stopped-flow light scattering upon treatment with HHP at 400 MPa for 10 min. Results revealed that such treatment has little effect on the primary and secondary structure of SSF, but pronouncedly altered its tertiary and quaternary structure. As a result, the protein aggregation property and iron release activity were dramatically changed, while its activity of iron oxidative deposition was kept unchanged.     

The application of high hydrostatic pressure for the stabilization of functional foods: Pomegranate juice

The paper aims at investigating the potential application of non-thermal innovative technologies, such as high hydrostatic pressure, for the sanitization of functional liquid foodstuffs. A 100% pomegranate juice was selected for the experiments, due to its high bioactive compounds content. The operating pressure, temperature and holding times at the pressure set point were changed over a wide range, with the aim of optimizing the processing condition in order to assure the microbiological stability of the processed juice as well as preserve the natural content of the functional compounds. The experiments clearly demonstrate that the high pressure treatment at room temperature improves the quality of pomegranate juice, increasing the intensity of red color of the fresh juice and preserving the content of natural anthocyanins. The residual activity of some enzymes at the end of high pressure processing, independently on the processing conditions, such as the polyphenoloxidase (PPO), causes the degradation of the nutraceutical compounds as observed in particular processing conditions, thus suggesting that the optimal combination of the processing parameters should take into account the degradation of the anthocyanins as well as the enzymatic activity.     

Byssochlamys nivea inactivation in pineapple juice and nectar using high pressure cycles

The aim of this work was to assess the inactivation of Byssochlamys nivea ascospores in pineapple juice and nectar by combining pressure sequences involving high pressure cycles with relatively mild thermal processing. The effect of 550 and 600 MPa sustained pressures (holding time of 15 min), combinations of sustained pressures and pressure pulses (holding time of 10 s), and pressure cycles (two, three and five cycles of 550 and 600 MPa for 7.5, 5 and 3 min, respectively), at 20, 40, 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C were compared. B. nivea ascospores were inactivated by applying sustained a pressure of 600 MPa at 90 °C for 5 min (juice) and 15 min (nectar), and three and five cycles of pressure at 600 MPa and 80 °C for nectar with holding time of 5 and 3 min, respectively, and in all pressure cycles for juice. In general, pressure cycles were more effective for inactivating B. nivea ascospores than the application of sustained high pressures.     

Fate of Staphylococcus aureus in cheese treated by ultrahigh pressure homogenization and high hydrostatic pressure

We evaluated the influence of ultrahigh pressure homogenization (UHPH) treatment applied to milk containing Staphylococcus aureus CECT 976 before cheese making, and the benefit of applying a further high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment to cheese. The evolution of Staph. aureus counts during 30 d of storage at 8°C and the formation of staphylococcal enterotoxins were also assessed. Milk containing approximately 7.3 log₁₀ cfu/mL of Staph. aureus was pressurized using a 2-valve UHPH machine, applying 330 and 30 MPa at the primary and the secondary homogenizing valves, respectively. Milk inlet temperatures (T_in) of 6 and 20°C were assayed. Milk was used to elaborate soft-curd cheeses (UHPH cheese), some of which were additionally submitted to 10-min HHP treatments of 400 MPa at 20°C (UHPH+HHP cheese). Counts of Staph. aureus were measured on d 1 (24 h after manufacture or immediately after HHP treatment) and after 2, 15, and 30 d of ripening at 8°C. Counts of control cheeses not pressure-treated were approximately 8.5 log₁₀ cfu/g showing no significant decreases during storage. In cheeses made from UHPH treated milk at T_in of 6°C, counts of Staph. aureus were 5.0 ± 0.3 log₁₀ cfu/g at d 1; they decreased significantly to 2.8 ± 0.2 log₁₀ cfu/g on d 15, and were below the detection limit (1 log₁₀ cfu/g) after 30 d of storage. The use of an additional HHP treatment had a synergistic effect, increasing reductions up to 7.0 ± 0.3 log₁₀ cfu/g from d 1. However, for both UHPH and UHPH+HHP cheeses in the 6°C T_in samples, viable Staph. aureus cells were still recovered. For samples of the 20°C T_in group, complete inactivation of Staph. aureus was reached after 15 d of storage for both UHPH and UHPH+HHP cheese. Staphylococcal enterotoxins were found in controls but not in UHPH or UHPH+HHP treated samples. This study shows a new approach for significantly improving cheese safety by means of using UHPH or its combination with HHP.     

Environmental factors influencing the inactivation of Cronobacter sakazakii by high hydrostatic pressure

The effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) on the survival of Cronobacter sakazakii was investigated. Deviations from linearity were found on the survival curves and the Mafart equation accurately described the kinetics of inactivation. Comparisons between strains and treatments were made based on the time needed for a 5-log₁₀ reduction in viable count. The ability of C. sakazakii to tolerate high pressure was strain-dependent with a 26-fold difference in resistance among four strains tested. Pressure resistance was greatest in the stationary growth phase and at the highest growth temperatures tested (30 and 37 °C). Cells treated in neutral pH buffer were 5-fold more resistant than those treated at pH 4.0, and 8-fold more sensitive than those treated in buffer with sucrose added (a_w = 0.98). Pressure resistance data obtained in buffer at the appropriate pH adequately estimated the resistance of C. sakazakii in chicken and vegetables soups. In contrast, a significant protective effect against high pressure was conferred by rehydrated powdered milk. As expected, treatment efficacy improved as pressure increased. z values of 112, 136 and 156 MPa were obtained for pH 4.0, pH 7.0 and a_w = 0.98 buffers, respectively. Cells with sublethal injury to their outer and cytoplasmic membranes were detected after HHP under all the conditions tested. The lower resistance of C. sakazakii cells when treated in media of pH 4.0 seemed to be due to a decreased barostability of the bacterial envelopes. Conversely, the higher resistance displayed in media of reduced water activity may relate to a higher stability of bacterial envelopes.     

Role of quantity and quality of fat in meat models inoculated with Listeria innocua or Salmonella Typhimurium treated by high pressure and refrigerated stored

Several variables can influence the effects of high hydrostatic pressure processing (HPP), but the role of fat in the treated sample is still uncertain. We designed a model by which controlling the known variables we could elucidate that role. We applied 400 MPa for 2 min to minced chicken samples inoculated with Listeria innocua and Salmonella Typhimurium mixed with 10% and 20% of three fat types with different fatty acid composition. Microbial counts were performed during 60 days of refrigerated storage either at 2 °C or 8 °C.Immediately after HPP bacterial growth was independent of the type and percentage of fat content, but a possible effect of type of fat could be observed after 60 days of cold storage.     

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment on flavor,physicochemical properties and biological functionalities of garlic

The characterization of flavor, physicochemical properties and biological activities of garlic extracts prepared by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment (500 MPa) was conducted at various HHP reaction times and pH conditions. The evaluation of flavor revealed that HHP treated garlic samples in acidic condition (pH 1.8–3) were most effective to reduce the pungent flavor of garlic among all conditions.     

Improving the physical properties of fish gelatin by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and ultrasonication (US)

In this study, it was aimed to improve the physical properties of fish gelatin by using high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and ultrasonication (US). Gelatin solutions were exposed to different pressures and ultrasonication separately and gelled afterwards. The physicochemical measurements based on gel strength, turbidity and rheology experiments showed that HHP treatment on fish and bovine gelatin stabilized the gelatin network by organising the structure and reducing the free volume. Both processing methods (HHP and US) increased the gel strength significantly (P < 0.05) compared with non-treated samples. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results indicated that conformations of amino acids changed after the treatments. Furthermore, US treatment was shown to destroy the gelatin network, change the gelation mechanism and decreased the degree of aggregation. Both treatments improved the gel characteristics as gel strength, gelling and melting temperatures of the fish gelatin. At the end, the best combination for fish gelatin among HHP and US treatments was found as 400 MPa–10 °C–15 min pressurisation.     

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the microbiological quality and safety of carrot juice during refrigerated storage

The microbial quality of untreated and pressure-treated carrot juice was compared during storage at 4, 8 and 12 °C. High pressure treatment at 500 MPa and 600 MPa (1 min/20 °C) reduced the total counts by approximately 4 log CFU ml⁻¹ and there was very little growth of the survivors during storage at 4 °C for up to 22 days. Total counts increased during storage of pressure-treated juice at 8 °C and 12 °C but took significantly longer to reach maximum levels compared to the untreated juice. The microflora in the untreated juice consisted predominantly of Gram-negative bacteria, identified as mostly Pantoea spp., Erwinia spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Initially the pressure-treated juice contained low numbers of spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus spp. and Paenibacillus spp.) and Gram-positive cocci; the spore-formers continued to dominate during storage.     

超高压处理对草莓汁品质酶和杀菌效果的影响

研究了超高压处理对草莓汁多酚氧化酶、果胶甲酯酶和杀菌效果的影响。结果表明:超高压处理对草莓汁具有良好的杀菌效果,微生物随着压力的增加而显著减小,300MPa,15min处理草莓汁,菌落总数和霉菌酵母菌均符合商业无菌条件;草莓汁中PPO和PME比较耐压,中低压条件下,PPO和PME酶活性被激活,随压力增加和时间延长而增大。而中高压处理后,酶活性显著减小(p<0.05),600MPa 25min,PPO及PME残余酶活力分别降至74.6%和47.0%。      

Influence of sonication and high hydrostatic pressure on the quality of carrot juice

The combined effects of ultrasound (US) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on enzymes, micro‐organisms, colouring pigments, total polyphenols, ascorbic acid and physicochemical properties of carrot juice were investigated. Carrot juice was treated with sonication (20 kHz, 70% amplitude) and HHP (250, 350, 450 MPa) at room temperature for 10 min. For comparison, fresh carrots were water blanched (WB) at 100 °C for 4 min and carrot juice was then extracted. As results, highest improvements in colouring pigments were observed in WB and US‐HHP450 treatments, which also completely inactivated micro‐organisms. The highest reduction in enzymes was observed in WB treatment followed by US‐HHP450. Total polyphenol contents increased significantly in US, HHP and US‐HHP treatments with the highest increase in US‐HHP450, but it decreased significantly in WB treatment. Ascorbic acid contents significantly decreased in WB and HHP450, while increased in US and US‐HHP treatments. Results indicate that US‐HHP450 treatment improves the quality of carrot juice and serves as a good alternative for blanching treatment.     

Response of two Salmonella enterica strains inoculated in model cheese treated with high hydrostatic pressure

The aim of this work was to determine the response to high hydrostatic pressure and the ability for survival, recovery, and growth of 2 strains of Salmonella enterica (Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium) inoculated in a washed-curd model cheese produced with and without starter culture. Inoculated samples were treated at 300 and 400 MPa for 10 min at room temperature and analyzed after treatment and after 1, 7, and 15 d of storage at 12° C to study the behavior of the Salmonella population. Cheese samples produced with starter culture and treated at 300 and 400 MPa showed maximum lethality; no significant differences in the baroresistant behavior of both strains were detected. Nevertheless, when starter culture was not present, the maximum lethality was only observed in cheese samples treated at 400 MPa, in the case of S. enteritidis. Ability to repair and grow was not observed in model cheese produced with starter culture and cell counts of treated samples decreased after 15 d of storage at 12° C. In cheese produced without starter culture, Salmonella cells showed the ability to repair and grow during the storage period, reaching counts over 3 log₁₀ (cfu/mL) in both applied treatments and serotypes. These results suggest that high hydrostatic pressure treatments are effective to reduce Salmonella population in this type of cheese, but the presence of the starter culture affects the ability of this microorganism to repair and grow during the storage period.     

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) inactivation of foodborne pathogens in low‐acid juices

Consumption of unpasteurised fruit/vegetable juices has increased in recent years due to their freshness, low calorie contribution and good nutritional quality. However, unpasteurised fresh juices with low acidity (pH > 4.6) and high water activity (a_w > 0.85) can support the growth of pathogens. Hence, pasteurisation is a necessary process in the production of low‐acid juices. Consumer demand has required minimally processed high‐quality foods that are free from additives, that are fresh tasting and microbiologically safe, and with an extended shelf life. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment is considered to be an alternative to thermal pasteurisation for fruit and vegetable juices. HHP treatment could preserve nutritional value and the sensory properties of fruits and vegetables due to its limited effect on the covalent bonds of low‐molecular‐mass compounds such as colour, flavour compounds and vitamins. However, inactivation of important foodborne pathogens in low‐acid foods by HHP is most urgent and critical. More research should be performed in order to satisfy consumer demands for fresh‐tasting products while retaining safety.     

Formation of guaiacol from vanillin by<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris</Emphasis> in apple juice: a model study

In this study, the formation of guaiacol from vanillin by Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in apple juice was investigated. Apple juices spiked with 10 and 100 mg/L of vanillin were inoculated with 1×10³ CFU/mL and 1×10⁵ CFU/mL spores of A. acidoterrestris and incubated at 25 and 46 °C. A. acidoterrestris started to form guaiacol from vanillin when the spore count exceeded the critical level of 1×10⁴ CFU/mL. Increasing the vanillin concentration also increased the concentration of guaiacol formed, especially at 46 °C. The growth of A. acidoterrestris was not favorable at 25 °C. Thus, the formation of guaiacol is strongly limited at room temperature.     

Inactivation of E. coli K12 in apple juice by high voltage pulsed electric field

Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology is an emerging non-thermal food preservation technique that has mainly been applied to improve the shelf life of such foods as bread, milk, orange juice, apple juice and liquid eggs. It involves the application of pulses of high voltage to liquid or semi-solid materials, placed between two electrodes at ambient, sub-ambient, or slightly above ambient temperature. The voltage is typically in the range 20–80 kV/cm, and may be applied in the form of exponentially decaying, square wave, oscillatory, or in some cases, bipolar (instant-charge-reversal) pulses. In the present work, the effect number of pulses on the inactivation of E. coli K12 in apple juice was studied at two different voltages, namely 20 and 40 kV/cm and the number of pulses was varied from 0 to 100. The results indicate that the regulatory requirement of 5-log reduction in microbial count for food safety purposes could only be achieved with 40 kV/cm applied voltage and 100 pulses. The experiments were carried out at 20 °C and the maximum temperature rise was 2 °C.