Mass transfer kinetics and regressional‐desirability optimisation during osmotic dehydration of pumpkin,kiwi and pear

Mass transfer kinetics and optimisation of osmotic dehydration (OD) of fruits and vegetables with diverse structures were studied. Different concentrations of sucrose (20–60 °Brix) and process times (0–24 h) were used. Magee’s model was appropriate for predicting water loss (WL), while Azuara’s model fitted well solids gain (SG) data and represented more accurately the evolution of the complete process close to equilibrium. Polynomial equations for each kinetic variable [WL, SG and weight reduction (WR) – for pumpkin, kiwi and pear] using multiple linear regression were fitted for a selected range of experimental data (30–240 min, 20–60 °Brix). A complete solution algorithm for desirability function was coded in Matlab^® 7.2 (Mathworks, Natick, MA, USA) with the aim to optimise osmotic dehydration process in terms of WL, SG and WR; optimal conditions were found for each fruit. Besides, an optimal common zone was identified for OD corresponding to process time from 114 to 240 min and sucrose concentration from 54 to 60 °Brix.     

Osmotic dehydration of the Indian fig (Opuntia ficus indica) with binary and ternary solutions

The objective of this work was to study osmotic dehydration (OD) of the Indian fig with two binary solutions (sucrose/water and glucose/water) and a ternary solution (sucrose/NaCl/water) according to a 2³ factorial design with independent variables: temperature (30–50 °C), immersion time (90–240 min) and concentration (40–60 °Brix). The dependent variables were water loss (WL), solid gain (SG) and dehydration efficiency index. The temperature had greater influence on the WL in the three hypertonic solutions studied; the concentration had greater influence on the SG in the three hypertonic solutions investigated and the best conditions for the OD of the Indian fig were in glucose solution at 40 °Brix, 40 °C and 165 min.     

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.     

雪莲果超声波辅助渗透脱水工艺参数的优化

以渗透脱水温度、时间、蔗糖质量分数、超声波功率和处理时间为因素,以失水率(water loss,WL)和固形物增加率(sugar gain,SG)为指标,通过单因素试验,研究雪莲果的渗透脱水工艺参数。以渗透脱水温度、时间、蔗糖质量分数、超声波处理时间为因素,以WL、SG和二者比值(WL/SG)为指标,通过二次回归正交旋转组合试验设计建立雪莲果超声波辅助渗透脱水过程中各响应值(WL、SG和WL/SG)与各因素之间的回归方程,并得到超声波辅助渗透脱水的最优工艺参数。结果表明,超声波辅助处理可显著提高雪莲果渗透脱水效果;影响WL的因素主次顺序是温度＞时间＞蔗糖质量分数＞超声波处理时间;影响SG的因素主次顺序依次是渗透脱水时间＞超声波处理时间＞温度＞蔗糖质量分数;影响SG/WL的因素主次顺序是渗透脱水时间＞蔗糖质量分数＞超声波处理时间＞温度。雪莲果超声波辅助渗透脱水的最佳工艺参数为渗透脱水温度41℃、时间1.7h、蔗糖质量分数60.18%、超声波处理时间35min。在此组合参数条件下,SG/WL平均值为0.059。     

Evaluation of Factors Influencing Microwave Osmotic Dehydration of Apples Under Continuous Flow Medium Spray (MWODS) Conditions

Microwave osmotic dehydration under continuous flow medium spray (MWODS) conditions is an innovative concept with high potential for enhancing moisture loss as well as improving product quality. Quantification of mass transfer kinetics under different processing conditions is important for managing and optimizing the osmotic dehydration process. A response surface methodology was used for evaluating and quantifying the moisture loss and solids gain kinetics of apples during the MWODS process. Experiments were designed according to a central composite rotatable design with all independent variables included at five levels (sucrose concentration, 33.3–66.8°Brix; medium temperature, 33.3–66.8 °C; medium flow rate, 2,120–3,480 ml/min; and medium contact time, 5–55 min). The process responses were moisture loss (ML), solids gain (SG), and weight reduction (WR) and were related to process variables using second-order polynomial regression models. The lack of fit was not significant (p?>?0.05) for any of the developed models. For ML, SG, and WR, the medium contact time was the most significant factor during the MWODS process followed by medium temperature and sucrose concentration. The effect of medium flow rate was only significant with moisture loss and weight reduction. The quantity of ML, SG, or WR achieved over a 30 min treatment time was chosen as the drying rate. These rates were shown to be responsive to the osmotic treatments increasing with sucrose concentration, medium flow rate, and medium temperature.     

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.     

Prediction of mass transfer kinetics during osmotic dehydration of apples using neural networks

An artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed for the prediction of water loss (WL) and solid gain (SG) in osmotic dehydration of apple cylinders using a wide variety of data from the literature to make it more general. This model mathematically correlates six processing variables (temperature and concentration of osmotic solution, immersion time, surface area, solution to fruit mass ratio and agitation level) with WL and SG. The optimal ANN consisted of one hidden layer with four neurons. This model was able to predict WL and SG in a wide range of processing variables with a mean square error of 13.9 and 4.4, and regression coefficient of 0.96 and 0.89, respectively, in testing step. This ANN model performs better when compared to linear multi-variable regression. The wide range of processing variables considered for the formulation of this model, and its easy implementation in a spreadsheet using a set of equations, make it very useful and practical for process design and control.     

Optimisation of vacuum pulse osmotic dehydration of blanched pumpkin

Pulsed vacuum osmotic dehydration (PVOD) is an efficient process for obtaining semi‐dehydrated food. The effects of temperature (30–50°C), solute concentration (NaCl 0–15 kg per 100 kg solution, sucrose, 15–35 kg per 100 kg solution) and vacuum pulse application (50–150 mbar and 5–15 min) on water loss (WL), solid gain (SG), water activity (a_w) and total colour difference (?E) of previously blanched pumpkin slices were assessed through Plackett–Burman experimental design. Temperature was not statistically significant in the process. Later, with the aid of a central composite design (CCD), it was found that concentration of sucrose and NaCl was influent on the WL, SG, a_w and ?E, and the pressure and time of application of vacuum were influent on WL and SG. The optimal conditions of process were stabilised with the desirable function, and the simulated data were similar from the experimental ones.     

Response surface optimisation of osmotic dehydration of Chinese ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) slices

Response surface methodology (RSM) of Box–Behnken design with 27 experimental runs and the desirability function method were used in the osmotic dehydration process of Chinese ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) slices in ternary solution of water, sucrose and sodium chloride for maximising water loss (WL), rehydration ratio (RR) and total phenolic content (TPC) and minimising solute gain (SG) and hunter colour change (HCC) of dehydrated product. The results indicated that the optimum operating conditions were found to be process duration of 102 min, solution temperature of 30 °C, solution concentration of 50 Brix sucrose + 7.31% sodium chloride and solution to food ratio of 8:1 (w/w). Under this condition, the WL, SG and TPC were 58.8% (wb), 12.56% (wb) and 1.46% (db), while its RR and HCC were 1.59 and 6.55, respectively. The immersion time was the most significant variable for WL, HCC, SG and RR, and for TPC it was temperature (P < 0.05).     

Mass transfer kinetics of pulsed vacuum osmotic dehydration of guavas

The effects of vacuum pulse and solution concentration on mass transfer of osmotically dehydrated guava slices were studied. Kinetics of weight reduction (WR), water loss (WL), solid gain (SG) and water activity (a_w) were obtained using sucrose solutions at 40, 50 and 60 °Brix and vacuum pulse of 100 mbar for 0, 10 and 15 min at the process beginning. Higher solution concentrations and the vacuum pulse application caused an increase on WL of osmotically dehydrated guavas and reduced the samples water activity. The SG was reduced by the increase on osmotic solution concentration and favored by vacuum application. Two different models of kinetics diffusion were tested to obtain diffusivity and to compare the accuracy of these models. The effective diffusivity estimated by the hydrodynamic model well reproduced the effects of process variables on mass transfer kinetics and showed a better agreement to the experimental data than the diffusional model.     

Comparison of sucrose and fructo-oligosaccharides as osmotic agents in apple

Fructo-oligosaccharides and sucrose were compared as osmotic agents in the osmotic dehydration of apple cv. Idared. Dehydration process of apple cubes (10  10  10 mm) was performed to determine the weight reduction (WR), moisture content (MC), water loss (WL) and solid gain (SG) over a range of osmotic solutions (40–60% w/v), temperature (40–60 °C) and processing time (20–40 min) The effective diffusion coefficient of water and solute was calculated assuming the processes to be governed by Fick's unsteady state diffusion. The effective diffusion coefficients were found to be of the order of 10^− 9 m² s^− 1 and were effected by the type of solute significantly. The WR, MC, WL and SG were predicted as weighted linear combinations of temperature, concentration of solute and time of OD.

Industrial relevance

The use of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) in different fruit based products is an efficient way to enrich human diet with functional component, because of the well-known health benefits of FOS. The osmotic behaviour of fructo-oligosaccharides were studied and compared to the conventional used sucrose. In view of the changes of different osmotics regarding to unit parameters of osmotic dehydration the results give possibility to industrial technology planning of products containing FOS, which are available for consumption in every season of the year and are favourable also in processed form e.g. muesli, dairy products.     

Optimisation of the pulsed vacuum osmotic dehydration of cladodes of fodder palm

Fodder palm, a great source of nutrients for human and animals, grows even in arid climates. Pulsed vacuum osmotic dehydration is an efficient process for obtaining semidehydrated food. It was used to slice cladodes of fodder palm. The independent variables used were temperature (30–50 °C), pulsed vacuum pressure (50–150 mbar) and NaCl concentration (5–15 g per 100 g solution). The response variables were water activity (a_w), moisture content (X), colour parameters, water loss (WL), solid gain (SG) and weight reduction (WR). The pulsed vacuum osmotic dehydration process was optimised for minimum values of a_w, X and SG, and maximum values of chroma. The experimental data obtained with the optimum condition (100 mbar; 10 gNaCl per 100 g solution, 44 °C) were near the estimated ones. For example, WL, a_w and ?E, and their error were 8.15 g per 100 g, 11%; 0.985, 0.3% and 6.15, 15.2%, respectively.     

Modelling of mass transfer during osmotic dehydration of apple tissue pre-treated by pulsed electric field

The osmotic dehydration mechanism of apple sample pre-treated by pulsed electric field (PEF) was investigated over a range of 44.5-65 ° Brix sucrose concentrations. Apple disks treated by PEF field of 0.90 kV/cm during a constant time were immersed in sucrose solution at ambient temperature with 3:1 syrup to apple ratio (w/w). Increase of the initial solute concentration and the PEF treatment resulted in acceleration of the osmotic dehydration (OD). The PEF-treated samples had a higher water loss (WL) and higher solid gain (SG) than the untreated samples. The osmotic dehydration kinetics was studied on the basis of two approaches: Fick's unsteady state diffusion equation and a two-exponential kinetic model. The coefficients of effective diffusion of water and solute were calculated. Their values were higher for samples pre-treated electrically. The effect of PEF was more pronounced for the WL comparatively to the SG. The two-exponential kinetic model permits evaluating of both convective and diffusion stages of OD. The PEF pre-treatment accelerates the kinetics of water and solute transfer during convective and diffusion stages of OD.     

Effect of stirring in the osmotic dehydration of chestnut using glycerol solutions

The use of osmotic dehydration like a previous step to drying process could be an interesting option in order to reduce costs or to preserve the characteristics of food material. This work studies the osmotic dehydration operation of chestnuts (Castanea sativa M.) with aqueous solutions of glycerol (25, 35, 45 and 60 g/100 g) and glycerol and salt (35 and 9.7 g/100 g, respectively), at different soaking times (1, 2, 4 and 8 h) at 20 °C. In order to evaluate the hydrodynamic effect of osmotic medium on the mass transfer rate, static and dynamic conditions have been tested (0, 40 and 110 rpm). The process was monitored employing several parameters related to moisture content and solid gain changes.Water loss rate using binary solutions increases with glycerol concentration and no dependency was detected with stirring level using glycerol concentration higher than 35 g/100 g. WL/SG ratio increases with glycerol concentration and linear behaviour between WL/SG and water activity of solution was established. NMC contents decrease with glycerol concentration up to 0.78 at 8 h of osmotic dehydration and NSC contents increase with glycerol concentration up to 1.12.WL kinetics using ternary solutions composed by glycerol and sodium chloride solutions were similar to the obtained with glycerol solutions at the same water activity range, but SG kinetics is improved by the acquisition of sodium chloride by the chestnut. In this way, the WL/SG ratio and NMC are lower.Model proposed by Peleg was satisfactorily employed to fit the experimental NMC and NSC data for both binary and ternary solutions considering that equilibrium value is no dependent on stirring level.     

Mass transfer kinetics during osmotic dehydration of bananas (Musa sapientum,shum.)

Osmotic dehydration is used widely to partially remove water from plant tissues by immersion in a hypertonic solution. In this work, the influence of temperature (25–55 °C), sugar concentration (30–60%) and salt concentration (0–10%) of the osmotic solution was investigated during osmotic dehydration of banana (Musa sapientum, shum.). Mass transfer kinetics were modelled according to Peleg’s equation. Kinetic parameters were evaluated using response surface methodology. Peleg’s equation showed to be suitable for modelling the water removal and solute uptake. Initial rate of water loss and water concentration at equilibrium were influenced by linear factors of the three independent variables. Initial rate of sucrose uptake and sucrose uptake at equilibrium were affected by all factors and interactions. Initial rate of salt uptake and salt concentration at equilibrium showed a positive correlation with temperature and NaCl concentration and a negative correlation with sucrose concentration.     

不同小分子糖渗透草莓的传质动力学及对真空冷冻干燥草莓品质的影响

为系统地了解不同小分子糖特别是低聚糖和糖醇对草莓的渗透行为以及不同小分子糖对真空冷冻干燥草莓品质的影响,本研究利用两种数学模型对10 种常见小分子糖（白利度为40 °Brix）的渗透动力学进行拟合,并进一步对渗糖处理后真空冷冻干燥草莓的理化特性进行表征。结果表明,Weibull模型更适用于描述渗糖处理后草莓的可溶性固形物增量（solid gain,SG）,而Peleg模型可以更好地描述草莓的水分去除量（water loss,WL）。经不同糖渗透处理结束后,草莓的SG差异较大,山梨糖醇可以使草莓的SG达到6.84 g/100 g,是低聚异麦芽糖的6.16 倍。此外,渗糖处理的草莓硬度得到普遍提高（94.58%～223.23%）;葡萄糖、果糖、山梨糖醇渗透处理组的脆度分别降低了16.70%、20.74%、41.45%,低聚果糖渗透处理后的草莓质构特性与蔗糖最为接近。综合考虑渗透效率、感官营养品质和生产成本,低聚果糖是蔗糖在果蔬渗透处理方面的一种潜在替代品。     

OSMOTIC DEHYDRATION OF APPLES BY IMMERSION IN CONCENTRATED SUCROSE/MALTODEXTRIN SOLUTIONS

The effect of sucrose:maltodextrin (S:M100) ratios on solids gain (SG) and water loss (WL) was investigated during the osmotic dehydration of apple disks. Concentrated solutions were prepared at 40C with 100:0, 90:10, 70:30, 50:50, 30:70 and 10:90 ratios of (S:M100). The highest score in sensory evaluation was achieved with 90:10 ratio of (S:M100). Three stages of osmotic dehydration can be observed by plotting the shrinkage of apple disks vs the moisture content. The result is that a higher maltodextrin concentration favors volume loss and enhances water loss, increasing the duration of stage 2 osmotic dehydration.     

Optimisation of osmotic dehydration of 'Tommy Atkins' mango fruit

Osmotic dehydration of mango in sucrose solution as influenced by temperature (30–50 °C), immersion time (60–150 min) and solution concentration (40–60% w/w) was studied through response surface methodology. Responses of water loss and solid gain were fitted to polynomials, with multiple correlation coefficients ranging from 0.72 to 0.95, respectively. The fitted functions were optimised for maximum water loss and minimised incorporation of solids in order to obtain a product resembling non-processed fruit. Optimum conditions to obtain water removal >25% with solid uptake lower than 6% could be obtained using a 44% (w/w) sucrose solution concentration, temperatures up to 38 °C and immersion times up to 80 min.     

超声波强化紫薯渗透脱水工艺

分别以蔗糖质量分数、渗透温度、渗透时间和超声波功率为单因素,研究其对紫薯超声波渗透脱水的脱水率和固形物增加率的影响。以各因素为自变量,以脱水率和固形物增加率为因变量,对紫薯渗透脱水进行响应面工艺研究,得出最优工艺参数。结果表明：影响脱水率和固形物增加率的主次顺序均为渗透时间＞渗透温度＞糖液质量分数＞超声波功率;响应面优化最优工艺参数为糖液质量分数56.29%、渗透液温度65℃、渗透时间2.46h、超声波功率142.33W。结合实际操作,响应面优化的最优工艺调整为糖液质量分数56%、渗透液温度65℃、渗透时间2.5h、超声波功率140W,经验证,此条件下脱水率为40.79%,固形物增加率为8.33%。     

Multi-Objective Optimization of Osmotic–Ultrasonic Pretreatments and Hot-Air Drying of Quince Using Response Surface Methodology

In this study, application of a multi-objective optimization technique based on response surface methodology has been presented. Quince slices were dehydrated using osmotic dehydration with sucrose solutions at different concentration (40 and 60 Brix), processing time (1, 1.5, and 2 h), and ultrasonication time (0, 15, and 30 min) were the factors investigated with respect to water loss, solid gain, and weight reduction. Response surface methodology was used to determine the optimum processing conditions that yield maximum water loss and weight reduction and minimum solid gain during osmotic dehydration of quinces. Dehydrated quince slices at optimized osmo-ultrasound condition were then subjected to air-drying at 60 and 80 °C. Rehydration ratio, shrinkage, and moisture content of dried samples were regarded as responses to the non-thermal and air-drying conditions. Multi-objective optimization led to obtaining the best condition for production of dried quince slices with lowest moisture content, and shrinkage.