Study of the Influence of Osmotic Dehydration and Freezing on the Volatile Profile of Strawberries

ABSTRACT: The effect of osmotic process conditions on the volatile fraction of strawberries was studied, as well as the effect of freezing and frozen storage. Osmotic treatments were carried out on strawberries in sucrose solutions up to 20 °Brix, at atmospheric pressure (OD), and by applying a vacuum pulse (PVOD). Volatile compounds of fresh, dehydrated, and frozen-stored (at –18 °C for 1 mo) samples were obtained by simultaneous distillation-extraction. Osmotic treatments caused an increase in ester concentration and, in some cases, in furaneol less marked in PVOD. Freezing implied losses in all components, although in pre-dehydrated samples the concentration of some esters (and furaneol) remained greater than in the fresh samples.     

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.     

Volatile profile of mango (Mangifera indica L.), as affected by osmotic dehydration

The effect of osmotic dehydration on the volatile fraction of mango fruit was studied. Osmotic treatments were carried out at atmospheric pressure (OD) and by applying a vacuum pulse (PVOD). Sucrose at 35, 45, 55 and 65 °Brix was used as osmotic solution until reaching 20 or 30 °Brix in the liquid phase of dehydrated mango. Volatile compounds of fresh and dehydrated samples were obtained by simultaneous distillation–extraction, and analyzed by GC–MS. In general, osmotic dehydration provoked changes in the concentration of analyzed compounds to different extents, depending on process conditions. The use of highly concentrated osmotic solutions, and the high level of sample osmodehydration, induced losses of volatiles with respect to the fresh samples. On the other hand, more heavily diluted solutions and shorter treatment times (lower osmodehydration level) could give rise to the enhancement of volatile production. In these cases, sample mass loss was reduced during treatment since sugar gain was promoted against water loss.     

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.     

Changes in respiration rate and physical properties of strawberries due to osmotic dehydration and storage

The effect of osmotic dehydration on the respiration rate (R) and the mechanical and optical properties of strawberry halves were evaluated throughout six days at 10 °C. Two different dehydration levels (15 and 20 °Brix) were considered, by applying (PVOD) or not (OD) a vacuum pulse and with and without calcium addition. Dehydrated samples showed a faster drop in R than non-treated samples, thus indicating a faster development of senescence. PVOD implied a greater reduction of O₂ consumption. Calcium addition slightly reduced R. Osmotic treatments provoked a decrease in the puncture forces, especially in samples with 20 °Brix, as a consequence of the structural collapse caused by treatments. After storage, calcium addition and PVOD treatments had beneficial effects on the maintenance of the sample texture. Colour of treated strawberries was modified, mainly in the parenchyma zone, when changes in the sample porosity were greater due to the treatment (vacuum impregnation).     

Effect of pulsed-vacuum and ohmic heating on the osmodehydration kinetics, physical properties and microstructure of apples (cv. Granny Smith)

The influence of pulsed vacuum (PVOD) and ohmic heating (OH) on the osmotic dehydration (OD) kinetics and structure of apples was evaluated. Apple cubes (1 cm³) were immersed in a 65 ºBrix sucrose solution at 30, 40 and 50 °C for 300 min. The PVOD treatment was conducted at 5 kPa for 5 min, and the OH treatment was conducted at 100 V (electric field of 13 V/cm). The water loss, solid gain, a_w, color and firmness were measured, and the microstructure was analyzed using electronic microscopy. The largest water loss was observed with the OD/OH treatment at 50 °C. The greatest amount of solute uptake and smallest firmness loss were obtained with the PVOD/OH treatment at 50 °C. Color differences were associated with the loss of clarity and corresponded to the transparency gain. OH treatments led to changes in the microstructure, cell walls and tissues of the apples due to the electroporation effect, which explained the increase of mass transference.

Industrial relevance

The aim of this research was to determine the response of apple samples to osmotic dehydration using combined treatments of pulsed vacuum and ohmic heating. Two different technologies, vacuum and ohmic heating at mild temperatures, were used to determine and observe the mass transfer kinetics and microstructure of osmodehydrated apples. In several ohmic heating treatments, the time reduction reached 50% as compared to conventional heating. The increases of temperature, vacuum application and electroporation effect promoted the gain of osmotic solution into the tissue pores, thus reaching equilibrium in the sample with less water loss. Among the investigated conditions, the PVOD/OH treatment at mild temperatures was the best minimal processing method to preserve the fresh-like properties of the apples.     

Non-conventional techniques to obtain grapefruit jam

Different grapefruit jams obtained by conventional, osmotic dehydration (OD) without thermal treatment and microwave (MW) techniques were compared. A kinetic study was previously carried out to characterize the fruit OD process in order to manufacture OD jams. Fibres from bamboo, apple and orange were incorporated into OD jams. Soluble solids, moisture, water activity, pH, consistency, flow properties and colour were evaluated for all jams. The jams obtained by the OD process had a colour more similar to the fresh fruit than the heated ones, but the addition of fibre was necessary to improve the consistency. However, the MW procedure affects colour in a similar way to conventional heating but increases the consistency of the samples.Industrial relevanceThe consumption of grapefruit may be as fresh fruit, juice or jam. The application of prolonged heat treatments to the fruit, such as in the case of jams and juices, can lead to important losses of the beneficial properties of this citrus fruit. Osmotic dehydration at mild temperature is a technique that could be used to obtain jam without being so aggressive to the fruit. On the other hand, the use of microwave energy has been proposed as an alternative to traditional heat pasteurisation in order to better preserve the natural organoleptic characteristics and essential thermolabile nutrients of grapefruit juice, due to the shorter processing time required. In this work the quality of different grapefruit jams obtained by applying alternative procedures to the conventional one has been compared. Osmotic dehydration and microwave energy were applied as alternatives to conventional heating and bamboo, apple and orange fibres were added and compared with conventional pectin. The osmotic dehydration procedure used produces jams with lower sugar content but with a colour very similar to that of the fresh fruit. Nevertheless, fibre should be added to improve the consistency of the samples, bamboo exhibiting the flow properties most similar to conventional jam. On the other hand, microwaves affect the colour of the product in a similar way to conventional heating but increase the consistency of jams.     

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.     

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.     

Physicochemical and Sensorial Properties of Grapefruit Jams as Affected by Processing

Jam is an effective and tasty way of preserving fruit. Jam processing procedures as well as storage conditions and duration are important factors for jam quality. Traditional jam processing involves the application of severe thermal treatments that imply undesirable changes in the product quality characteristics such as colour, texture, flavour and nutritional and functional value. In this work, osmotic dehydration (OD) and/or microwave energy (MW) was proven as adequate to obtain jam with the typical characteristics of water content, degree Brix, pH and water activity of jam obtained by conventional thermal heating. The sensory evaluation carried out to compare the product showed that samples submitted to more intense heating treatments (conventional or MW) had significantly higher scores in colour saturation, brightness, grapefruit taste and extensibility than OD or OD+MW ones. As deduced from the obtained results, OD treatment prevents grapefruit colour changes, and mild MW heating contributes to increase the consistency and decrease the extensibility of the obtained jam. In this way, OD+MW jam was preferred by assessors mainly due to its higher consistency. The sample obtained by this procedure was stable during storage.     

Headspace volatile compounds during osmotic dehydration of strawberries (cv Camarosa): Influence of osmotic solution composition and processing time

The influence of the type of sugar in the osmotic solution and of the time of processing on the volatile compounds of strawberries was studied, in order to optimize the technique as a pre-treatment to further processing. Strawberries of cultivar ‘Camarosa’, cut into 1 cm thick slices, were subjected to osmotic dehydration at 30 °C for 1, 2, 4 and 6 h using either 60% (w/w) sucrose or 60% (w/w) sorbitol solutions. Volatile compounds of fresh and processed strawberry slices were analyzed by static headspace—gas chromatography. Osmotic treatments provoked a loss in volatile compounds due to the migration, mainly of esters, into the osmotic media. The variations in the volatile pattern depended on both time of treatment and type of osmotic solution. The greater changes occurred after 2 h in sucrose; with a promotion of fermentative volatiles (acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate), and a decrease in the other volatiles. Using sorbitol as osmotic agent, the major variations in the volatile pattern occurred after 4 h of osmosis, and the fermentative process was less important than in sucrose, as sorbitol could be less effective in forming a peripheral layer at the fruit surface and/in reducing tissue porosity.     

Development of volatile fraction of fresh cut osmotically treated mango during cold storage

The influence of minimal processing by osmotic treatment and cold storage on the volatile profile of mango was studied by comparison with the volatile profile of fresh samples. Osmotic treatments, at atmospheric pressure and by applying a vacuum pulse, were carried out using a 45 Brix sucrose solution with (2%) and without calcium lactate, at 30 °C. Samples were treated until they reached 20 Brix in all cases. The volatile profile of the samples was characterised at 0, 1, 4 and 8 days of cold storage at 10 °C, using purge and trap thermal desorption and GC–MS. Osmotic treatment provokes a decrease in the terpene concentration (the most abundant compounds in the volatile fraction mango) and an increase in ethyl acetate and 1-butanol. This fact was especially observed in treatment applying vacuum impregnation with calcium. Treatment at atmospheric pressure, with calcium in the osmotic solution, was the best way to prevent aroma alterations during processing and to ensure its stability throughout cold storage.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

INFLUENCE OF OSMOTIC DEHYDRATION ON THE VOLATILE PROFILE OF GUAVA FRUITS

ABSTRACT

The effect of osmotic dehydration (OD) on the volatile compounds of guava fruits was studied. Osmotic treatments were carried out at atmospheric pressure, at continuous vacuum and by applying a vacuum pulse (5 min under vacuum and the remaining time at atmospheric pressure) at different temperatures (30, 40 and 50C) and times (1, 2 and 3 h). The volatile compounds of fresh and dehydrated samples were obtained by simultaneous distillation–extraction, and were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In general, OD caused changes in the concentration of volatiles, depending on the process conditions. The use of lower temperatures and shorter treatment times can diminish the loss of volatiles with respect to the fresh samples. The greatest damage to volatiles loss is produced at 50C for up to 2 h under both pulsed and continuous vacuum. The lowest total volatiles loss occurred at 30 and 40C for up to 3 h under pulsed vacuum or atmospheric pressure.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Consumer demand for high‐quality products with freshlike characteristics has promoted the development of a new category, minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Although these products present, as distinguishing features, simplicity in use and convenience, they generally perish more quickly than the original raw material because of tissue damage caused by mechanical operations. The use of osmotic dehydration process has been presented as a tool for the development of minimally processed fruits. The slight water activity reduction promoted by the process may provide stable products with good nutritional and sensorial quality and with characteristics similar to those of the fresh products. The application of minimal processing to tropical fruits can represent an interesting world market. Fruit flavor is an important quality factor that influences consumer acceptability, and for this reason, its study is relevant in the minimally processed food product.

     

Colour and rheological properties of non-conventional grapefruit jams: Instrumental and sensory measurement

Alternative methods with which to obtain grapefruit jams have been applied. These include the use of osmotic dehydration (OD) and/or microwave energy (MW), as an alternative to conventional heating, and the incorporation of bamboo fibre together with pectin in order to increase the jam's consistency. Colour, consistency and rheological behaviour were measured and sensory evaluation was carried out to compare product quality. When compared to the fresh fruit, the greatest colour changes took place in those jams processed by MW and conventional heating, both of them showing lower L*, a*, b* and chrome values than the rest of the samples obtained by applying osmotic dehydration. By adding bamboo fibre, the colour of OD samples approaches that of fresh fruit. The higher yield stress, greater consistency and more viscoelastic behaviour was displayed by jams obtained by combining OD and MW processes. In the sensory analysis, the judges awarded this sample a better score. The sensory attribute product coverage in mouth was closely related to viscosity at a shear rate of 120 s⁻¹ and consistency.     

烫漂方式对香菇挥发性成分的影响

比较微波、蒸汽和沸水烫漂对香菇挥发性成分的影响。采用顶空固相微萃取-气相色谱质谱联用技术进行挥发性成分定性分析,并对苯甲醛与1-辛烯-3-醇进行外标法定量分析。结果表明:新鲜香菇的主要挥发性化合物分为五类25种,包括醇类6种、醛类4种、酮类2种、烃类5种和含硫化合物8种,苯甲醛与1-辛烯-3-醇分别为0.28 ng/g和308.44 ng/g。微波烫漂的香菇中1-辛烯-3-醇含量为515.65 ng/g;蒸汽烫漂与沸水烫漂对醇类与含硫化合物的相对含量影响较大,其中蒸汽烫漂使香菇中醇类相对含量由22.49%降至3.93%,含硫化合物相对含量由64.57%增至87.64%,苯甲醛与1-辛烯-3-醇含量分别为0.45 ng/g和245.64 ng/g;香菇经沸水烫漂,醇类相对含量达87.89%,含硫化合物(2.85%)显著降低,1-辛烯-3-醇含量为1482.46 ng/g。以上表明,从挥发性成分组成来看,蒸汽烫漂与沸水烫漂处理对其差异影响较大,特别是醇类与含硫化合物的相对含量有明显区别。     

Influence of Pre-drying Treatments on Quality and Safety of Sun-dried Tomatoes. Part I: Use of Steam Blanching, Boiling Brine Blanching, and Dips in Salt or Sodium Metabisulfite

ABSTRACT The effect of various pre‐drying treatments on the subsequent quality of sun‐dried tomatoes was evaluated by determining moisture, color, rehydration ratio, mold, yeast, sulfur dioxide, and/or salt content. The 4 pre‐drying treatments under investigation were (1) steam blanching or (2) boiling brine blanching, followed by gas sulfuring and (3) dipping in either salt (0%, 10%, 15%, 20%) or (4) sodium metabisulfite (0%, 4%, 6%, 8%) for 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 min. Neither blanching pretreatment improved the quality of the dried product. Salt dipping resulted in significant differences in rehydration ratio, yeast, and salt. The most effective salt pretreatment conditions were a 10% or 15% salt dip for 5 min. Sodium metabisulfite dipping caused significant differences in rehydration ratio, yeast, color, and sulfur dioxide. Dipping tomatoes in 6% or 8% sodium metabisulfite for 5 min before drying established the best color. The 9 pretreatments studied were also evaluated for storage stability at 25 °C and 30% to 34% relative humidity for 3 mo.     

PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND SENSORY QUALITY OF MICROWAVE-BLANCHED SNOW PEAS

Snow peas were blanched using four methods [conventional boiling water (BW); steam (ST); microwave (MW); and microwave blanched in heat sealable bags (MWB)], then held frozen at (～18C) for four weeks. Immediately after blanching, MWB‐blanched snow peas retained more reduced ascorbic acid (RAA; 72%), than other treatments. Blanching treatment had no effect on lightness [L* value). With the exception of BW‐blanched peas, blanching significantly altered color. After frozen storage, MWB‐ and MW‐blanched samples both contained about 26 mg/100 g RAA, significantly more RAA than other treatments. MWB‐blanched peas generally had as high or higher sensory appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and general acceptability scores than other treatments. These results imply that blanching snow peas in a heat‐sealable microwave bag, prior to frozen storage, produces a product of equivalent sensory quality and superior nutritional quality compared with more conventional blanching methods.