Effect of ohmic heating and vacuum impregnation on the osmodehydration kinetics and microstructure of strawberries (cv. Camarosa)

The influence of ohmic heating (OH) and vacuum impregnation (VI) on the osmotic dehydration (OD) kinetics and microstructure of strawberries were studied. Samples were immersed in a 65 °Brix sucrose solution and treated with OH (100 V) and VI (5 kPa). Osmotic treatments were carried out at 30, 40 and 50 °C for 300 min. Water loss, solid gain, color and firmness of the strawberries were measured. In addition, the microstructure was analyzed using electron microscopy (SEM) and (TEM). The results showed that applying OH during osmotic dehydration had significant effects on the mass transference kinetics and the microstructure of the treated samples. The greatest water loss was observed for the OD–OH treatment. The largest amount of solute gain was obtained for the VI–OH treatment. A loss in firmness was observed in the OD–OH samples at 50 °C. Color differences were related to an increase in clarity and a decrease in color chrome, and the least significant differences were observed for the samples treated at 30 °C. SEM observations showed that cell rupturing were more significant in the OD–OH than in the VI–OH samples. The application of OH and VI had beneficial effects on the acceleration of mass transference.     

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.     

Blanching of Strawberries by Ohmic Heating: Effects on the Kinetics of Mass Transfer during Osmotic Dehydration

The effect of blanching by ohmic heating (OH) on the kinetics of osmotic dehydration of strawberries was studied. Ohmic heating parameters obtained at two temperatures (65 and 85 °C). The osmotic dehydration (OD) parameters are the temperature (26 and 37 °C) and the sucrose in osmotic solution (30–70 °B). An approximate solution of Fick’s law for unsteady state mass transfer in spherical configuration has been used to calculate the effective diffusion coefficients of water and sucrose. Results show that ohmic heating increases drastically the mass transfer and the effective diffusion rates. After 4 h of OD (without OH) in a sucrose solution (at 37 °C and 70 °B), the dry matter of the untreated strawberry halves was 20.3%; while it reached 68% when OD was combined with blanching by OH at 85 °C for 3-min. Ohmic blanching permits the effective damage of cells by combination of electrical and thermal effects. That result has an important enhancement of water and sugar transfers during osmotic dehydration of strawberries.     

Physiology of pre-cut mango II. Evolution of organic acids

The effect of a 30-min osmotic dehydration (OD) treatment under vacuum and storage temperature on the organic acid content in slices prepared from Haden and Kent mangoes was evaluated. Additionally, respiration rate (RR), titratable acidity, pH and soluble solids were monitored. Greater RR was detected in osmotically dehydrated slices. Citric, ascorbic and fumaric acids were measured in greater concentrations in Haden slices, while malic acid was predominant in Kent slices. No succinic acid was found in any sample. Low malate concentrations suggest that the observed increase in CO₂ production caused by the mechanical stress may be due to malic acid decarboxylation by the malic enzyme. OD caused lesser alterations in oganic acid balance than cutting and possibly allowed an extended operation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle.     

Osmotic dehydration of apple slices using a sucrose/CaCl2 combination to control spoilage caused by Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, and Penicillium expansum

The efficacy of sucrose combined with CaCl2 during osmotic dehydration (OD) was tested for the control of Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, and Penicillium expansum growth on lightly processed apple slices. The objective of this work was to determine whether the addition of CaCl2 in the osmotic solutions would limit the proliferation of fungal decay organisms. Slices were submitted to OD for 1 h at 25 degrees C in solutions containing 5 to 65% sucrose. Calcium chloride was added to a similar set of sucrose solutions at 0 to 8%. Control slices were made of untreated slices, and slices were processed in water. The mass ratio of the slices did not vary when fruit pieces were processed in solutions containing 5 to 65% sucrose. These slices showed a high susceptibility to spoilage compared to the control slices not submitted to OD: a significant twofold and 60% increase in decay area caused by B. cinerea and P. expansum, respectively, was observed when slices were processed in 50% sucrose/0% CaCl2; C. acutatum showed a significant 50% increase in decay area when slices were processed in 20% sucrose/0% CaCl2. Calcium uptake was significantly increased when slices were processed in CaCl2 solutions, and the highest Ca content was observed when processed in 8% CaCl2, reaching 40 times that of the control slices processed in water. Calcium-treated slices were less susceptible to spoilage by all three pathogens, and the most effective combination in reducing apple slice spoilage was 20 to 30% sucrose combined with 2% CaCl2.     

Application of High Hydrostatic Pressure as a Pretreatment for Osmotic Dehydration of Banana Slices (Musa cavendishii) Finish-Dried by Dehumidified Air Drying

The process variables high hydrostatic pressure (HHP; 100–500 MPa), sucrose concentration (30–70 °Brix), immersion time (5–9 h) and immersion temperature (30–70 °C) were optimised to yield maximum water loss (WL), minimum solid gain (SG), minimum water activity (a _w) and minimum browning index (BI) during osmotic dehydration (OD) of banana slices (Musa cavendishii) pretreated by HHP using response surface methodology. The pressure-treated samples showed significantly higher WL and SG during OD (p?<?0.05), which was attributed to the rupture of cell wall with applied pressure, making the cells more permeable, also evident from the scanning electron micrographs of the banana tissue. The optimised operating conditions were: HHP of 200 MPa for a dwell time of 5 min at room temperature (26 °C), sucrose concentration of 60 °Brix, immersion time of 5 h and immersion temperature of 40 °C. A study of the concentration profiles during OD revealed no appreciable increase in SG and WL after 4 h; hence, immersion time was reduced to 4 h. The optimised product developed was dried to a moisture content of 15 % (wet basis) in a dehumidified air dryer at an air temperature of 40, 55 and 70 °C with a fixed air velocity of 3.8 m/s and relative humidity maintained at 20 %. The final dried product was analyzed for total soluble solids content, BI and a _w. A drying temperature of 55 °C was found to give superior quality OD banana slices in terms of reduced bulk, improved flavour, decreased a _w (<0.60), and reduced dehydration time and energy using HHP as a pretreatment.     

Influence of ohmic heating/osmotic dehydration treatments on polyphenoloxidase inactivation,physical properties and microbial stability of apples (cv. Granny Smith)

The combined effect of ohmic heating (OH) and osmotic dehydration (OD) with vacuum impregnation (VI), on the polyphenoloxidase (PPO) inactivation, physical properties and microbial stability of apples stored at 5 °C or 10 °C was analyzed. The treatments were performed using a 65% (w/w) sucrose solution and with ohmic heating at 13 V/cm at 30 °C, 40 °C or 50 °C for 90 min. Examination of the dehydrated samples showed that the water loss and the solid gain were greater with the OD/OH and VI/OH treatments at 50 °C. PPO was completely inactivated by the OD/OH and VI/OH treatments at 50 °C. There was a correlation between the PPO activity, the color change and the browning index of the treated and stored samples; the values for these parameters were stable when PPO was inactivated. The lowest loss of firmness and color was obtained with the VI/OH treatment at 50 °C. The shelf-life of the apples treated with VI/OH at 50 °C and stored at 5 °C was extended to more than 4 weeks. Therefore, the VI/OH treatment at 50 °C was determined to be the best process for dehydrating apples.Industrial relevanceThe aim of this research was 1 to study the combined effect of ohmic heating (OH) and osmotic dehydration (OD) with vacuum impregnation (VI) on the polyphenoloxidase inactivation and microbial stability of osmotically dehydrated apples stored at either 5 °C or 10 °C. Two technologies, OH and OD were performed at 30, 40 or 50 °C with an electric field intensity of 13 V/cm and conventional heating for 90 min. The results showed a correlation between the PPO activity, the color change and the browning index of the treated and stored samples; the values were stable when PPO was inactivated. PPO was completely inactivated by the OD/OH and VI/OH treatments at 50 °C. The shelf-life of the apples treated was extended to more than 4 weeks. Under the investigated conditions, VI/OH treatment at 50 °C and stored at 5 °C may be considered the better minimal processing that preserves the fresh-like properties.     

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.     

Osmodehydration assisted by ohmic heating/pulse vacuum in apples (cv. Fuji): retention of polyphenols during refrigerated storage

Apples are a widely consumed fruit and have a high polyphenol content. The aim of this study was to analyse the combined effects of osmotic dehydration (OD) and ohmic heating (OH) with a pulsed vacuum (PV) on polyphenol retention during the stored refrigeration of apple cubes. Treatments were performed using a 65°Brix sucrose solution at 30, 40 or 50 °C for 120 min, and then, samples were stored for 28 days at 5 °C. OH provides an electric field of 13 V cm^?1, and a pulsed vacuum was applied for 5 min at the beginning of the process. The results indicated that a lower temperature process (30–40 °C) resulted in the retention of more polyphenol compounds after treatment than a higher temperature process (50 °C). Nevertheless, during refrigerated storage, we observed that 50 °C preserved these compounds better due to polyphenol oxidase inactivation. PVOD/OH treatment at 50 °C was determined to be the best retention of polyphenols from the fresh apple for dehydrating apples.     

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.     

Optimisation of osmotic dehydration process of guavas by response surface methodology and desirability function

Response surface methodology was used to assess the effects of osmotic solution concentration (40–60°Brix), process temperature (20–40 °C) and vacuum pulse application time (0–20 min) at 100 mbar on water loss (WL), weight reduction (WR), solid gain (SG), water activity (a_w), colour parameters and mechanical properties of guava slices. Optimal process conditions were determined through the desirability function approach and quality characteristics of osmotically dehydrated guavas were analysed. Only models obtained for WL, WR and a_w were suitable to describe the experimental data. The desirability function showed that optimal conditions for osmotic dehydration of guavas were: osmotic solution concentration at 60°Brix, process temperature at 32 °C and 20 min of vacuum pulse application. Under optimal conditions, colour and mechanical properties of treated guavas were similar to fresh fruit, presenting WL of 29.01 g/100 g, WR of 25.91 g/100 g, SG of 3.10 g/100 g and a_w of 0.979.     

Effect of Ultrasound-Assisted Osmotic Dehydration as a Pretreatment on Deep Fat Frying of Potatoes

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of using ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration (UAOD) as a pretreatment prior to frying and to study its effects on the quality of fried potatoes. The quality parameters, moisture content, oil uptake, color, texture, and microstructure of fried potatoes, were chosen. Quality of fried potatoes treated with UAOD was also compared with the ones treated with osmotic dehydration (OD). Potato slabs (40 × 40 × 7 mm) were pretreated with different osmotic solutions (15 % sodium chloride and 15 % sodium chloride/50 % sucrose solutions) at different temperatures (25, 45, and 65 °C) with and without ultrasonic waves for different treatment times. The pretreatment conditions which are OD for 90 min and UAOD for 30 min using 15 % sodium chloride/50 % sucrose solution were applied prior to frying at 170 °C for 2, 4, and 6 min. UAOD reduced the oil content of fried potatoes by 12.5 % (db) as compared to untreated fried potatoes at the end of frying. There was no significant difference between OD and UAOD in reduction of oil uptake in fried potatoes. However, UAOD was found to have the advantage of improving the color of French fries. In addition, it shortened the pretreatment time of OD by about 67 %. Cell structure of fried potato was damaged in the presence of pretreatments of OD and UAOD.     

ACC oxidase activation by cold storage on ‘Passe-Crassane’ pears: effect of calcium treatment

Ethylene biosynthesis and respiration in untreated and in calcium-treated Passe-Crassane pear fruits during cold storage and during ripening at 20°C after removal from storage at 2°C was studied. Results suggest that the increase in ACC oxidase activity along with free-ACC availability for enzyme action is the most important limiting factor in the capacity of these fruits to produce ethylene and to ripen. A chilling period of at least 30 days was shown to be required for inducing the climacteric increase in ethylene biosynthesis. Calcium treatment partially prevented ethylene production and retarded the onset of the climacteric process in Passe-Crassane fruits. The role that calcium plays in preventing cellular wall and membrane degradation is probably responsible for this delaying effect on the ripening process of this pear cultivar. © 1998 SCI.     

Osmotic Dehydration and Vacuum Impregnation on Physicochemical Properties of Chilean Papaya (Carica candamarcensis)

ABSTRACT: The effect of osmotic dehydration (OD) at atmospheric pressure and vacuum impregnation (VI) treatments on some physiochemical parameters of papaya (aw, pH, color, firmness, and microstructure) was analyzed. Osmotic treatments were carried out on papaya with 55°Brix and 65°Brix sucrose solutions at 30 °C. VI with 65°Brix osmotic solution was the most effective in reducing aw due to the highest sucrose gain during osmotic treatment. Color differences were associated to loss of clarity in line with transparency gain. Scanning electron microscopy observations show that osmotic dehydration caused shape changes and size reduction of papaya cells; also differences in microstructural features were observed between OD-treated and VI-treated samples. Moreover, the largest firmness observed in VI samples compared with OD treatments was associated with the thickness of the middle lamella between cells, which was greater in VI than OD treatments. Improvement in texture and palatability of papaya was obtained with VI rather than OD treatment compared with fresh papaya.     

Pulsed Vacuum Osmotic Dehydration of Beetroot,Carrot and Eggplant Slices: Effect of Vacuum Pressure on the Quality Parameters

Pulsed vacuum osmotic dehydration (PVOD) is a widely used technique for reducing moisture content and water activity in biological products. This study aimed to analyze the effect of vacuum application (VA) on PVOD of beetroot, carrot, and eggplant slices, with respect to chemical (moisture, water activity, specific pigments, polyphenols, and sodium content), optical (color), mechanical (shrinkage, maximum stress, and elasticity), and structural (microstructure) properties. PVOD was conducted at three different vacuum pressures (0, 40, and 80 kPa, for 10 min), during a total process time of 300 min. Osmotic processing was performed at 35 °C by using a ternary osmotic solution [40% sucrose +?10% sodium chloride (w/w)]. Eggplant and carrot samples were more sensitive to VA, compared to beetroot. This was related to their porous and less compact structure. In general, VA reduced the moisture content and water activity and preserved the carotenoid content. VA caused loss of betalain and phenolic acid, favored sodium uptake, and induced significant changes in the optical, mechanical, and structural properties, compared to the osmotic processing conducted at atmospheric pressure.     

Design of Continuous Flow Osmotic Dehydration and its Performance on Mass Transfer Exchange During Osmotic Dehydration of Broccoli Stalk Slices

A continuous flow solution unit was designed and built with a sole purpose of achieving better hydrodynamic control during the osmotic dehydration pre-treatment process. The initial study was set up to calibrate the flow meter at different sucrose solutions at different concentrations and temperatures to obtain a flow velocity range between 1.5 to 3.5 mm/s. In this study, broccoli stalk slices were used to investigate the effect of the flow velocity on mass transfer kinetics and compared with static condition. Further, the optimization of this equipment system was performed to achieve higher water loss with minimal solute gain as pre-drying condition. Comparative studies between static and dynamic conditions show that flow velocity helps in faster rate of water removal with lower solute gain during the osmotic dehydration process of broccoli stalk slices. The optimum condition was found to be at a temperature of 30 °C with concentration of 54 °Brix for 120 min of immersion time at flow velocity of 3.5 mm/s.     

REUSE OF SUCROSE SYRUP IN PILOT-SCALE OSMOTIC DEHYDRATION OF APPLE CUBES

Osmotic dehydration (OD) treatments of apple cubes were carried out in a pilot plant, which consisted of an OD vessel, a filter, a vacuum evaporator, and recirculating pumps. The osmotic solution (OS) was maintained at 59.5 ± 1.5 °Brix and 50C by reconcentration in the evaporator, and suspended particles were eliminated by filtration. OS was reused to process 20 batches of apple cubes, maintaining a constant OS/fruit ratio of 5/1 (w/w) by addition of new OS. Evolution of pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, water activity, color, reducing sugars, and microbial load in the OS was evaluated along the OD process. The OD parameters and the apple color were determined. Values of the physicochemical properties of the OS stabilized after 10 treated batches. A microbial load of 2590 ± 330 CFU/mL was observed in the OS at the end of 20 OD treatments. Water loss, solids gain and color of dehydrated apple cubesobtained in OD process with reuse of the OS were similar to those found in an OD process carried out with a nonrewed OS.     

EFFECT OF OSMOTIC TREATMENT WITH CONCENTRATED SUGAR AND SALT SOLUTIONS ON KINETICS AND COLOR IN VACUUM CONTACT DRYING

ABSTRACT

An experimental study of osmotic dehydration (OD) of selected heat‐sensitive products was carried out in a laboratory‐scale vacuum contact dryer. Cubes of potato and apple were examined as model heat‐sensitive objects. Experiments were conducted at different conduction heat input levels with wall temperatures in the range 35–45C under vacuum and also in pure vacuum without any external heat input. Detailed investigations were carried out of OD on drying performance, product temperature and color of the dried product.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Osmotic treatment of potato and apple samples using concentrated sugar solution shows better osmotic dehydration as well as drying rate in a vacuum contact drying system. This information may help to select the osmotic agent in any industrial application for faster drying rate in vacuum contact drying specially for food products. Moreover this work shows the analysis to find out the starting point of precipitation of osmotic agent inside the products in terms of drying time, temperature and moisture content. This information will be helpful for critical analysis in osmotic dehydration technique which in turns may help for optimum design.