Control of Enzymatic Browning in Pre-peeled Potatoes by Surface Digestion

Feasibility of lye digestion to remove surface tissues from peeled potatoes prior to treatment with browning inhibitors to extend shelf-life was investigated. Russet and round-white potatoes were digested in 14–20% NaOH at 35–55°C for 1–13 min. After removal of digested tissue, tubers were treated with ascorbic acid-based browning inhibitor. Browning was measured by tristimulus calorimetry. Digestion extended shelf-life of high pressure steam- and abrasion-peeled potatoes to 13–15 days at 4°C, compared to 3–11 days for undigested controls. Digestion resulted in weight losses of 12–26%, depending on treatment conditions. Lye digestion in conjunction with conventional browning inhibitors represents a viable alternative to sulfiting pre-peeled potatoes.     

Enzymatic Browning Control in Potato with Ascorbic Acid-2-Phosphates

Treated potato samples were evaluated for browning by tristimulus colorimetry and for browning inhibitor uptake by HPLC. Treatment effectiveness was greatly improved by reducing pH to 2.0 with phosphoric acid to inhibit endogenous acid phosphatase and by using combinations of ascorbic acid (AA), AA-2-phosphate and AA-2-triphosphate to provide for gradual release of AA at treated surfaces. Treatment with dips containing the AA-2-phosphates extended storage life of potato dice and pre-peeled potatoes by 5-7 days over that obtained with conventional browning inhibitor formulations but induced some leakage at cut surfaces.     

Combined effects of natural substances and modified atmosphere packaging on reducing enzymatic browning and postharvest decay of longan fruit

An integrated control strategy on preventing pericarp browning (BI) and decay incidence (DI) of longan fruit was investigated to replace sulphur dioxide (SO₂) fumigation. Fruit was treated with 5% ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA), oxalic acid (OA), thymol (TH) and 2% chitosan (CH) for 5 min; sealed under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) using high permeable film; and stored at 5 °C. Fruit treated with distilled water and sealed under MAP condition (MAPC) and air condition (AIRC) was used as controls. Combined effects of chemical treatments and MAP maintained quality of longan for 56 and 49 days in CH and TH, respectively, as compared to 28 days in MAPC and 21 days in AIRC. AA, CA and OA prevented BI, restrained enzyme activities and maintained high phenols. AA, CA and OA were most potent BI inhibitors; however, DI was the limitation of these treatments, while CH and TH effectively inhibited DI.     

Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Vacuum-Packaged Pre-Peeled Potatoes

Growth of Listeria monocytogenes on the surface of fresh peeled potatoes, treated with sulfite or a commercial browning inhibitor (CBI), packaged under vacuum and stored at 4,15 and 28°C was determined. At 4°C, L. monocytogenes did not grow in all treated potatoes even after 21 days. At 15°C, L. monocytogenes grew to 7 log₁₀ CFU/g within 12 days in the potatoes treated with sulfite or CBI. At 28°C, L. monocytogenes population was greater than 3 log₁₀ CFU/g by 24 h in all samples regardless of treatment. Sulfites or a CBI appeared to provide a measure of safety in pre-peeled potatoes packaged under vacuum when kept at proper refrigeration temperatures.     

Application of edible coatings in minimally processed sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L.) to prevent enzymatic browning

To control browning phenomenon, an edible coating of cassava starch along with ascorbic acid (AA) (combined treatment) was applied to minimally processed sweet potatoes var cv. ‘Blanca Correntina’. The samples were stored at 4 °C for 16 days, and the activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase were studied; also, surface colour, antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, chlorogenic acid content were evaluated. The combined treatment showed a beneficial impact on the quality of the product, avoiding browning when compared with untreated samples and individual treatments (coating without AA or immersion in AA solution). The improvements were evidenced by the absence of changes in hue, minor changes in a* parameter and a major inhibitory effect of AA on the activity of the three enzymes. Ascorbic acid content and antioxidant capacity increased (P < 0.05). The combined treatment not only was effective in preventing enzymatic browning but also retained freshness and improved nutritional value.     

Physiological and biochemical changes of different fresh-cut mango cultivars stored at 5 °C

Treatments to inhibit browning, decay and to extend shelf life of ‘Keitt’, ‘Kent’ and ‘Ataulfo’ mango cultivars as a fresh‐cut produce were investigated. Combinations of calcium chloride (CaCl₂), antioxidants [ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA)] and two commercial film coatings resulted in a reduction of browning and deterioration of fresh‐cut mangoes stored at 5 °C, especially for the Ataulfo cultivar. The use of CaCl₂ + AA + CA significantly reduced colour deterioration, loss of firmness and did not affect sensory characteristics of fresh‐cut mango, with a larger effect in the Ataulfo cultivar. In general, these treatments prevented loss of sugar and vitamin C of cubes during storage at 5 °C. Shelf life of this cultivar was 21 days, while that of Keitt and Kent was only 9 and 12 days, respectively. There is a correlation between carotene and vitamin C content of Ataulfo mango and its longer shelf life compared with the other cultivars.     

Effect of cultivars, wound healing and storage on sensory quality and chemical components in pre-peeled potatoes

This study deals with eating quality of pre-peeled potatoes. The effect of raw material quality (cultivar, duration of wound healing and storage) on chemical composition of raw potatoes, and sensory quality and aroma composition of cooked pre-peeled potatoes were determined. Potatoes were knife peeled, vacuum-packed, stored at 4 °C, and evaluated after 6 days of shelf-life. Significant differences in chemical composition, sensory quality and aroma composition were found among the 6 cultivars. Storage (0, and 6 months) also affected the sensory quality and the aroma composition. For surface hardening an effect of wound healing time (2 or 4 weeks at 14 °C) was observed, since 4 weeks resulted in lower intensity in surface hardening. During long-term storage the intensity in surface hardening decreased. The aroma compounds linalool, methional, nonanal and decanal were correlated to potato flavour and rancidness, whereas off-flavour/off-taste seemed to be correlated to nonvolatile components. Enzymatic browning of potatoes was positively correlated with PPO activity, tyrosin and chlorogenic acid a well as aspartic and glutamic acid, but negatively correlated to caffeic acid. The study showed that the quality of pre-peeled potatoes is very sensitive to raw material quality, and the time of year being processed.     

紫外线照射与柠檬酸处理对鲜切苹果的保鲜作用

目的研究柠檬酸、紫外线照射、柠檬酸和紫外线照射联合处理对鲜切苹果生理生化的影响。方法以富士苹果为实验材料,分成4组,分别是0.5%柠檬酸(CA)溶液中浸泡5 min、紫外照射(UV)5 min/面、0.5%柠檬酸溶液中浸泡5 min+紫外照射(CA+UV)5 min/面、不处理的对照组(KB)。分别于0、1、3、5、7、10、13、15 d测定鲜切苹果的色差、多酚氧化酶(PPO)、过氧化物酶(POD)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性。结果富士苹果经过切分后,褐变严重。PPO、POD活性升高,PAL活性变化曲折,总体呈上升趋势。柠檬酸、紫外、柠檬酸和紫外联合处理的3三种处理方式都可以抑制鲜切苹果的褐变,降低PPO、POD、PAL的活性。在4种处理方法比较中,柠檬酸和紫外联合处理的效果比较好。结论柠檬酸和紫外联合处理是鲜切苹果的理想的保鲜方法。     

Inhibition of browning by antibrowning agents and phenolic acids or cinnamic acid in the glucose–lysine model

The effects of antibrowning agents and phenolic acids or cinnamic acid on the inhibition of browning were investigated with a glucose–lysine model. Six antibrowning agents (cysteine, glutathione, sodium sulfite, pentasodium tripolyphosphate, citric acid and oxalic acid) and four phenolic acids (ferulic, hydroxybenzoic, syringic and vanillic acids) were used. In order to investigate the antibrowning capacity of these agents, model solutions containing glucose, lysine and an antibrowning agent were heated at 50 °C in the presence of FeCl₂, before being stored in nitrogen or air at 4 °C or 30 °C. Browning was accelerated to some degree during storage in air at 30 °C. In the case of storage at 4 °C, however, no browning was detected in nitrogen after four weeks. Citric acid was the most efficient antibrowning agent during storage in air at 30 °C and inhibited browning to 36% after four weeks. However, its antibrowning capacity was increased by 8–15% in the presence of any of the phenolic acids or cinnamic acid, essentially independently of concentration in the range 10 µM to 10 mM or the type of phenolic acid. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ascorbic acid enrichment of whole potato tuber by vacuum-impregnation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of vacuum-impregnation (VI) for enriching the ascorbic acid content of whole potatoes. Whole potatoes were immersed in a 10% ascorbic acid (AA) solution. A vacuum pressure of 70 cm Hg was applied for 0–60 min, following atmospheric pressure restoration for 3 h, while samples remained in the VI solution. AA concentrations of potatoes were measured using HPLC. The effects of cooking and storage time in subsets of the fortified samples were also evaluated. Results indicated that the AA concentration of whole potatoes increased with vacuum time (max 150 mg/100 g fr. wt.). In addition, a steam-cooking study showed that 100 g of the 25 min steam-cooked VI potatoes could provide adults with 90–100% of the recommended daily allowance of AA (100 mg). The storage study showed that VI whole potatoes had a relatively high AA concentration (50 mg/100 g fr. wt.), even at 14 days of storage at 4 °C. This study indicated that VI treatment of whole potatoes was useful for enriching the AA content.     

Effects of Anti-browning Combinations of Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide on the Quality of Banana Smoothies

The effects of 0.2 % ascorbic acid?+?0.2 % citric acid (AA?+?CA), 0.2 % ascorbic acid?+?0.2 % citric acid?+?N₂ (AA?+?CA?+?N₂) and 0.2 % ascorbic acid?+?0.2 % citric acid?+?CO₂ (AA?+?CA?+?CO₂) on the quality of banana smoothies were investigated. An obvious anti-browning effect was observed after each treatment, which resulted from a significant decrease in the polyphenol oxidase activity (p?<?0.05) and the exclusion of oxygen by infusion with inert N₂ or CO₂. The AA?+?CA?+?N₂ treatment exhibited the lowest change of browning index (ΔBI) indicating the best anti-browning effect on the banana smoothies. Compared with the Herschel–Bulkley model, the Power Law was less complex and more suitable for describing the rheological properties of the banana smoothies. AA?+?CA, AA?+?CA?+?N₂ and AA?+?CA?+?CO₂ treatments all significantly increased the pectin methylesterase activity of the banana smoothies (p?<?0.05). The AA?+?CA treatment increased the cumulative volume of the larger particles in the banana smoothies. The viscosity of the banana smoothies decreased after the three different treatments. In terms of the comprehensive results, the inclusion of AA?+?CA?+?N₂ in the production of banana smoothies was the best processing method applied.     

超声-咖啡酸联合处理对海鲈鱼冷藏期间品质变化的影响

为研究超声-咖啡酸联合处理对冷藏海鲈鱼品质变化影响,将新鲜鲈鱼片随机分为5 组,分别为20 kHz、600 W超声处理10 min（US组）,2.0 g/L咖啡酸浸渍10 min（CA组）,超声联合咖啡酸处理10 min（20 kHz、600 W超声处理5 min后,咖啡酸浸渍5 min）（US＋CA组）,无菌水（空白,CK组）与体积分数1%乙酸（对照,AA组）分别浸渍10 min。将5 组样品处理后沥干,装于聚乙烯保鲜袋中,置于4 ℃冷藏。每2 d测定样品的微生物指标（菌落总数）、理化指标（pH值、总挥发性盐基氮（total volatile base nitrogen,TVB-N）含量、硫代巴比妥酸（thiobarbituric acid,TBA）值、质构特性、持水力）等,结合内源荧光强度与感官评价,综合评价超声-咖啡酸联合处理对冷藏鲈鱼的保鲜效果。结果表明：US与CA处理能明显抑制样品贮藏期间菌落总数的增长,在第10天,CA组与US组样品的菌落总数比CK组分别低18.49%与15.53%,其pH值与TVB-N含量上升速度明显缓于CK组样品。贮藏第10天时,CK组样品的TVB-N含量已超过腐败限值,达（33.88±0.56）mg/100 g,而此时US＋CA组样品的TVB-N含量为（16.71±0.41）mg/100 g,明显低于CK组。US处理使鱼肉的保水性明显改善,CA处理对抑制鱼肉的脂肪氧化有较好效果,其还能使样品的持水力得到较高提升;其中以US＋CA联合处理组样品总体品质最佳。与CK组相比,US＋CA处理对鱼肉品质保持效果较好,联合处理可使海鲈鱼的冷藏货架期至少延长4 d。     

Effect of vacuum impregnation on enzymatic browning of fresh-cut potatoes during refrigerated storage

The effect of vacuum impregnation with ascorbic acid (AA) and calcium ascorbate (CaA) on enzymatic browning of fresh-cut potatoes was investigated. Results showed that vacuum impregnation (VI) with AA-CaA treatment for 2 min had a significant anti-browning effect. VI treatment not only maintained cell membrane integrity, inhibited the key enzyme activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase but also retarded generation of phenolic substrate, particularly chlorogenic acid. Meanwhile, VI promoted AA-CaA solution to infiltrate into potato tissue and delayed loss of ascorbic acid. In conclusion, VI treatment was more efficient for preventing browning with a shorter processing time of 2 min compared to traditional impregnation under atmospheric pressure and could be used as a promising method to inhibit browning of fresh-cut potatoes.     

Comparison of sodium acid sulfate to citric acid to inhibit browning of fresh-cut potatoes

Abstract: Sodium acid sulfate (SAS) dip treatments were evaluated against a distilled water control and citric acid (CA) to compare its effectiveness in reducing enzymatic browning of raw, French‐fry cut potatoes. Two separate studies were conducted with dip concentrations ranging from 0%, 1%, and 3% in experiment 1 to 0%, 2%, and 2.5% in experiment 2 to determine optimal dip concentrations. Russet Burbank potatoes were peeled, sliced, and dipped for 1 min and stored at 3 °C. Color, texture, fry surface pH, and microbiological analyses were conducted on days 0, 7, and 14. The 3% SAS‐ and CA‐treated samples had significantly (p < 0.0001) lower pH levels on fry surfaces than all other treatments. Both acidulants had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower aerobic plate counts compared to controls in both studies by day 7. However, SAS appeared to be the most effective at the 3% level in maintaining a light fry color up to day 14 and had the highest L‐values than all other treatments. The 3% SAS‐treated fry slices appeared to have the least change in textural properties over storage time, having a significantly (p = 0.0002) higher force value (kg force [kgf]) than the other treatments during experiment 1, without any signs of case‐hardening that appeared in the control and CA‐treated samples. SAS was just as comparable to CA in reducing surface fry pH and also lowering microbial counts over storage time. According to the results, SAS may be another viable acidulant to be utilized in the fresh‐cut fruit and vegetable industry.     

Prevention of enzymatic browning of apple cylinders using different solutions

Inhibition of enzymatic browning and decay on cut surfaces of Golden Delicious apple using ascorbic acid, cysteine, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, citric acid and sodium ascorbate alone or in combinations was investigated at 4 and 10 °C for a storage period of 0, 7 and 14 days, in an attempt to find the most effective treatment. Apple segments immersed in ascorbic acid and citric acid alone showed visual traces of browning after 7 days storage at 4 °C. After 14 days storage, only ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid plus sodium chloride had moderate browning, while all other treatments were severely affected. However, at 10 °C, only ascorbic acid was effective in reducing the level of browning, although its effect was minimal after 14 days storage. Browning was more severe at 10 °C than 4 °C in all solutions. The browning measurement (a* value) became increasingly positive from 7‐ to 14‐day storage. Microbial decay was absent in all treatments within 7 days at 4 and 10 °C. However, three test solutions showed microbial decay after 14 days storage at 10 °C in addition to the control solution, which showed decay at both 4 and 10 °C storage temperatures.     

Changes in selected quality characteristics of minimally processed carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) when treated with ascorbic acid

‘B 10’ carambola of ripening stage (RS) 3 and 4 were minimally processed (MP) and then dipped in 0, 15 and 30 mg L^?1 ascorbic acid (AA). The 1‐cm‐thick slices were then dried, packed into cling‐wrapped‐foam tray and stored at 7 °C for 0, 3 and 5 days. Skin colour (L*, C* and h°), flesh firmness, soluble solids concentration, vitamin C content, titratable acidity, pH, degree of browning, polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity and sensory attributes of MP carambola treated with AA were determined. AA treatment had significant effect in decreasing cut surface browning degree but no significant effect on all the selected quality characteristics of the MP carambola. In the sensory evaluation, flesh colour, sweetness, flavour and overall taste were significantly affected by AA treatment especially at 15 mg L^?1. The RS of fruit significantly affected skin colour (C* and h°), pH and sensory attributes of colour and flavour of the MP carambola. As storage day (SD) progressed, skin colour (C* and h°), flesh firmness and vitamin C content, cut surface browning, PPO activity and all the sensory attributes of MP carambola decreased significantly. Flesh firmness of the MP carambola was affected by the interaction between AA × SD. Sensory attributes of MP carambola were affected significantly by AA × RS. All the sensory attributes of MP carambola positively correlated to each other but negatively correlated with browning degree. PPO activity positively correlated with browning degree. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

QUALITY EVALUATION OF REFRIGERATED CHICKEN WINGS TREATED WITH ORGANIC ACIDS

The effects of acetic acid (AA), lactic acid (LA), or citric acid (CA) dip treatments on aerobic plate counts (APC), Hunter color values, and sensory evaluation scores of chicken wings stored at 4C were assessed. Chicken wings were immersed in solutions containing 1% individual acids for 10 min. Exposure for 10 min significantly reduced (P < 0.05) APC on the surface of chicken wings for 12 days. AA had greater antimicrobial activity than LA or CA. AA treatment yielded lighter, less red, and less yellow colored wings than untreated controls. Odor scores of chicken wings treated with acids were lower than untreated controls, with AA giving better scores than the other acids during 12 days of storage. Appearance scores of acid‐treated wings were similar to controls throughout storage. Untrained panelists did not observe color differences suggested by Hunter color data. Treatment of chicken wings with 1% AA would be recommended over the other acids due to greater antimicrobial effect and more favorable sensory results.     

Effect of pre-soaking treatments on the nutritional profile and browning index of sweet potato and yam flours

The use of sweet potato and yams for product development is hindered by the discoloration from enzymatic and non-enzymatic browning. The effect of pre-soaking treatments on the nutritional changes and browning index (BI) of sweet potato and yam (greater yam and white yam) flours was investigated. Ascorbic acid (AsA), citric acid (CA), acetic acid (AA) and sodium metabisulfite (SMS) were used for soaking at three concentrations (0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00%) and two durations (1 h and 2 h). AsA and SMS removed more starch during soaking of sweet potato, while CA and AA removed more starch from greater yam and CA removed more starch from white yam. Highest removal of reducing sugars was observed in sweet potato in AA, while CA removed maximum reducing sugars from both the yams. Phenol and total free amino acid (TFA) levels were more in SMS treatment than the control sweet potato flour, and least in AA (2 h). Whilst AsA raised the phenols and TFA in greater yam, it removed phenols to the maximum in white yam. Maximum BI was in AsA treatment for the three crops, and least for flour from CA (0.25%) treated yams and AA (1.00%) treated sweet potato.Industrial RelevanceBrowning resulting from enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions is a major drawback in the processing of sweet potato and yams for product development. The study showed that this could be successfully tackled through soaking the slices in low cost chemicals like acetic acid or citric acid and sodium metabisulfite at low concentrations. The treated slices yielded flour with very low browning indices compared to the respective native flours, which could enhance the potential of such flours in the development of food products.     

Changes in appearance and natural microflora on iceberg lettuce treated in warm,chlorinated water and then stored at refrigeration temperature

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of warm, chlorinated water on the survival and subsequent growth of naturally occurring microorganisms and visual quality of fresh-cut iceberg lettuce. After dipping cut lettuce leaves in water containing 20 mg l⁻¹free chlorine for 90 s at 50°C, samples were stored at 5 or 15°C for up to 18 or 7 days, respectively. Populations of aerobic mesophiles, psychrotrophs, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts and molds were determined. The visual appearance and development of brown discoloration were monitored. Treatment of lettuce in warm (50°C) chlorinated water delayed browning of lettuce. Shelf life of lettuce stored at 5°C, as determined by subjective evaluation of color and general appearance, was about 5 days longer than that of lettuce stored at 15°C. Treatment in warm (50°) water, with or without 20 mg l⁻¹chlorine, and in chlorinated water at 20°C significantly (α= 0·05) reduced the initial population of mesophilic aerobic microflora by 1·73–1·96 log₁₀cfu g⁻¹. Populations increased, regardless of treatment, as storage time at 5°C and 15°C increased. The same trends were observed in populations of psychrotrophs and Enterobacteriaceae. Yeast populations increased slightly in lettuce stored at 5°C but were consistently about 3 logs lower than mesophilic aerobes. Populations of molds and lactic acid bacteria were less than 2 log₁₀cfu g⁻¹throughout storage at 5 or 15°C. Results suggest that heat (50°C) treatment may have delayed browning and reduced initial populations of some groups of micro-organisms naturally occurring on iceberg lettuce, but enhanced microbial growth during subsequent storage.     

Effect of irradiation on vitamin C content of strawberries and potatoes in combination with storage and with further cooking in potatoes

The vitamin C content of four varieties of strawberry was determined before and after treatment with ionising radiation at doses of 1, 2 or 3 kGy and after storage for 5 and 10 days at 6°C, and also in potatoes which, having been allowed a period of one month to recover from the effects of post-harvest stress, were irradiated at a sprout inhibition dose of 0·15 kGy, followed by storage and cooking. Total ascorbic acid (TAA), ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) concentrations were measured using the technique of ion-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography. Results from analysis of the strawberry samples showed the DHAA content increased immediately following irradiation and must, therefore, be taken into account when reporting vitamin C levels in irradiated produce. In addition it was observed that whilst irradiation did affect the vitamin C concentration in all varieties of strawberry, the change was small in comparison with the large variations observed between varieties. With regard to potatoes results showed that, whilst irradiation, storage and cooking all had the effect of reducing vitamin C concentration, irradiated samples stored for 5 months had similar or marginally higher levels than their non-irradiated counterparts. Cooking did not markedly reduce TAA content of irradiated potatoes compared to non-irradiated potatoes and it was also noted that microwave cooking was more destructive than boiling in lightly salted water. ©1997 SCI