A New Chemical Marker-Model Food System for Heating Pattern Determination of Microwave-Assisted Pasteurization Processes

New chemical marker-model food systems with d-ribose and NaOH precursors as color indicators and gellan gels as chemical marker carrier were explored for the assessment of the heating pattern of in packaged foods processed in microwave-assisted pasteurization system (MAPS). In determining appropriate precursor concentrations, a solution of 2% (w/w) d-ribose and 60 mM NaOH was heated at 60–90 °C for 0–20 min. The solution absorbance at 420 nm increased linearly, while the color parameters L* decreased linearly with heating time at all processing temperatures. In storage, the produced brown color was stable at 4 and 22 °C within 7 days. The new chemical marker-model foods were prepared by mixing 2% (w/w) d-ribose and 60 mM NaOH with 1% (w/v) low-acyl gellan gum and 20 mM CaCl₂·2H₂O solution. The dielectric constant of the model food samples decreased with the addition of sucrose, and the loss factors increased with the addition of salt. After processing in the pilot MAPS, the heating pattern and cold and hot spots in the new chemical marker-model food system could be clearly recognized and precisely located through a computer vision method. This is the first time that the caramelization reaction was used as a time-temperature indicator in gellan gel model food. This study shows the possibility of using the new chemical marker-model food system for heating pattern determination of the MAPS.     

Study on quality characteristics of camel burger and evaluating its stability during frozen storage

This study investigated the influence of replacing One-humped camel meat instead of cow meat (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 %) on quality characteristics and frozen storage stability in burgers. For this purpose thiobarbituric acid test (TBA-RS), cooking characteristics, color parameters, texture and sensory properties were studied during 3 months at ?18 °C. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the moisture retention, diameter reduction, sensory properties, lightness, yellowness and springiness. Cooking yield, TBA-RS, fat retention, cohesiveness, flavor and texture showed significant differences (p < 0.05) through storage. Other evaluated properties of burgers showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in various levels of camel meat and over storage term. Moisture retention of burgers increased with increasing of camel meat content. The sensory panel scores for flavor, texture, juiciness and overall acceptability increased but color scores decreased with increasing the level of camel meat. Cooking yield, fat retention and cohesiveness decreased by increasing the storage period.     

Novel Intact Bitter Cassava: Sustainable Development and Desirability Optimisation of Packaging Films

Novel biomaterials and optimal processing conditions are fundamental in low-cost packaging material production. Recently, a novel biobased intact bitter cassava derivative was developed using an intrinsic, high-throughput downstream processing methodology (simultaneous release recovery cyanogenesis). Processing of intact bitter cassava can minimise waste and produce low-cost added value biopolymer packaging films. The objective of this study was to (i) develop and characterise intact bitter cassava biobased films and (ii) determine the optimal processing conditions, which define the most desirable film properties. Films were developed following a Box-Behnken design considering cassava (2, 3, 4 % w/v), glycerol (20, 30, 40 % w/w) and drying temperature (30, 40, 50 °C) and optimised using multi-response desirability. Processing conditions produced films with highly significant (p?<?0.05) differences. Developed models predicted impact of processing conditions on film properties. Desirable film properties for food packaging were produced using the optimised processing conditions, 2 % w/v cassava, 40.0 % w/w glycerol and 50 °C drying temperature. These processing conditions produced films with 0.3 %; transparency, 3.4 %; solubility, 21.8 %; water-vapour-permeability, 4.2 gmm/m²/day/kPa; glass transition, 56 °C; melting temperature, 212.6 °C; tensile strength, 16.3 MPa; elongation, 133.3 %; elastic modulus, 5.1 MPa and puncture resistance, 57.9 J, which are adequate for packaging applications. Therefore, intact bitter cassava is a viable material to produce packaging films that can be tailored for specific sustainable, low-cost applications.     

Development and characterization of reconstituted hydrogel from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe vera</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe barbadensis</Emphasis> Miller) powder

Structural and rheological characterization of reconstituted hydrogels developed from A. vera non-fibrous alcohol insoluble residue (NFAIR) powder using different methods [viz., shaking (S), heating-shaking (HS), and heating (H)] and concentrations (viz., 0.2–1.6 %, w/v) was carried out. Functional group distribution by FTIR spectroscopy and Congo red (CR) method revealed the presence of acetylated acemannan in A. vera powder. Dynamic oscillation studies of A. vera (NFAIR) fluids at all concentrations of 0.2–1.6 %, w/v, showed gel strength in the order of H > HS > S method. However, in H method, increase in concentration from 0.2 to 1.6 %, w/v showed the conformational transition from semi-diluted solution to weak gel nature. Rheological models described the effect of heating temperatures (HT); 30–90 °C, and times (Ht); 15–60 min on viscoelastic behavior in reconstituted A. vera fluids. The reconstituted A. vera hydrogel prepared with a concentration of 1.6 %, w/v using 50 °C (HT) and 30 min (Ht) condition showed a good agreement with the Power law (storage modulus, G′) and Weak gel model (complex modulus, G*) fitted data (R² > 0.94) resulting higher viscoelastic moduli intercepts; G′₀ (71.5 Pa s ^n′), G″₀ (33.5 Pa s ^n″), lower slopes; n′ (0.22), n″ (0.06), higher network strength (A _F , 121.3 Pa s^1/z ) and number of network (z, 5.3) values. The obtained results suggested that heating at 50 °C/30 min can develop aqueous weak gel networks of A. vera with enhanced gel strength which may be utilized as a novel gelling agent for wide variety of targeted applications in food and pharmaceutical sectors.     

Glass Transition and State Diagram for Jujube Powders With and Without Maltodextrin Addition

Both water activity and glass transition concepts were used for stability evaluation of jujube powder in this study. The water sorption behaviour at 25, 35 and 45 °C and the relationship between water content (X _w), glass transition temperature (T _g) and water activity (a _w) were investigated for jujube powder with and without the maltodextrin addition. Moisture sorption isotherms of different jujube powders were of type III and BET model was the best for fitting the experimental data. The equilibrium moisture content of jujube powder containing 20% maltodextrin at a given a _w was lower than that of pure jujube powder. However, temperature had no significant effect on the moisture sorption of jujube powders. Values of T _g of different jujube powders were obtained using differential scanning calorimetry and the glass transition line was fitted to the Gordon-Taylor model. A depression in T _g with increasing water content was observed. State diagrams of different jujube powders were established based on the moisture sorption isotherm and the glass transition curve. Results showed that jujube powders with and without maltodextrin addition were stable at 25 °C when the water content was lower than 0.0673 and 0.0566 g/g solid, respectively.     

Effect of Thermosonic Pretreatment and Microwave Vacuum Drying on the Water State and Glass Transition Temperature in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agaricus bisporus</Emphasis> Slices

This study aimed to understand the micromechanism of thermosonic pretreatment and microwave vacuum drying on Agaricus bisporus. The water state and glass transition temperature (T _g ) of fresh and thermosonically treated Agaricus bisporus slices during microwave vacuum drying were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results showed that four population groups were contained in the initial distribution of transverse relaxation time (T ₂) data of fresh A. bisporus slices: T ₂₁ (0.38–7.05 ms), T ₂₂ (9.33–32.75 ms), T ₂₃₁ (37.65–265.61 ms), and T ₂₃₂ (305.39–811.13 ms). Thermosonic pretreatment significantly decreased the initial free water content of A. bisporus sample but was accompanied by a sharp increase in its immobilized water. “Semi-bound water transfer” appeared during microwave vacuum drying (MVD) at moisture contents (X _w ) of 0.70 and 0.60 g/g (wet basis (w.b.)) for untreated and thermosonically treated samples, respectively. MVD caused dramatic changes in the water state and enhanced the T _g by decreasing the content and mobility of immobilized water in A. bisporus tissues. The mobility of semi-bound water for thermosonically and MVD-treated samples was higher than for MVD-untreated samples, resulting in T _g values decreasing by approximately 2–11.5 °C, but the uniformity of water distribution in thermosonic-treated and MVD-treated samples was better at X _w  ≤ 0.52 g/g (w.b.).     

Partition Behaviors of Different Polar Anthocyanins in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems and Extraction of Anthocyanins from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitraria tangutorun</Emphasis> Bobr. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycium ruthenicum</Emphasis> Murr.

This study aimed to investigate the partition behaviors of various polar anthocyanins in NaH₂PO₄/(NH₄)₂SO₄-ethanol aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) and to extract anthocyanins from Nitraria tangutorun Bobr. and Lycium ruthenicum Murr. Anthocyanins in Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Morus atropurpurea Roxb., N. tangutorun, and L. ruthenicum were profiled using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and HPLC-DAD, and the partition behaviors of total anthocyanins and main anthocyanins were studied. The partition coefficient of anthocyanins increased with increased hydrophobicity, and low-polarity anthocyanins exhibited a higher preference for the top phase in NaH₂PO₄/(NH₄)₂SO₄-ethanol ATPS. Additionally, the NaH₂PO₄-ethanol ATPS gave higher selectivity and total anthocyanin yield than the (NH₄)₂SO₄-ethanol system. Extraction at 65 °C for 45 min and at 45.5 °C for 45 min using 28% NaH₂PO₄ and 26% ethanol (w/w) led to the recovery of 98.91 ± 0.03% of N. tangutorun anthocyanins (3.62 ± 0.05 mg/g) and 99.84 ± 0.01% of L. ruthenicum anthocyanins (13.16 ± 0.29 mg/g) from raw material; more than 70% of total sugars were removed in a single step. NaH₂PO₄-ethanol aqueous two-phase extraction is a promising method for extracting anthocyanins from N. tangutorun and L. ruthenicum.     

Impact of Hydrocolloids and Homogenization Treatment on the Foaming Properties of Raspberry Fruit Puree

The production of healthy, ready-to-eat fruit snacks by means of foam-mat drying has to face the challenge of ensuring high foam stability throughout the entire process. Foaming properties of raspberry puree whipped for 10 min with varying concentrations of potato protein isolate (2.5, 5, 10% w/w) as foaming agent were studied. Furthermore, the impact of hydrocolloids as foam stabilizers, i.e., maltodextrin (5, 15, 30% w/w) and pectin (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 2.5% w/w), in combination with the variation of protein concentration as well as the impact of a homogenization treatment of fruit puree on the foam characteristics and puree properties were investigated. Foam stability was enhanced by the increase of protein and hydrocolloid concentration. Maltodextrin and pectin showed similar behavior even though pectin was used at considerably smaller concentrations. Compared to single hydrocolloid systems, the addition of pectin and maltodextrin in combination led to a further enhancement of foam stability, which offered the opportunity to simultaneously decrease the concentration of both hydrocolloids. The destruction of fruit tissue by homogenization treatment resulted in a reduction of mean particle diameters (D[4,3], D[3,2]) and a decrease of viscosity. Despite the increase in the specific surface area (A_SF) and thus, expected enhanced oxidative processes, no changes were observed for ascorbic acid and anthocyanin contents. However, the structural changes induced by the homogenization treatment significantly affected foaming properties.     

Preserving Melons by Osmotic Dehydration in a Ternary System Followed by Air-Drying

In this study, the effect of different osmotic solution concentrations (20–60% w/w of sucrose with 10% w/w NaCl salt), fruit to solution ratios (1:9–1:3), immersion times (0.5–4 h), and temperatures (15–55°C) on the mass transfer kinetics during osmotic dehydration of melons (Curcumis melo L.) in ternary solution namely sucrose–salt–water followed by air-drying were investigated. The effective diffusion coefficients for sucrose and water during osmotic dehydration were determined, assuming osmotic dehydration to be governed by Fickian diffusion. The estimated parameters allowed optimizing the system to reduce total processing time. The optimum treatments were with 50% sucrose and 10% NaCl salt concentration, fruit to solution ratio of 1:4 for 1 h at 45°C. Samples non-treated and pre-treated in optimized conditions were dried in a hot-air dryer at 60°C until equilibrium was achieved after 2.5 h. Pre-treatment reduced the air-drying period in up to 6.8 h.     

Study of Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-ATPase Activity and Solubility in the Whole Kuruma Prawn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Marsupenaeus japonicus</Emphasis>) Meat During Heating: Based on the Kinetics Analysis of Myofibril Protein Thermal Denaturation

Protein denaturation is considered to be the main cause of physicochemical changes in prawns during heating. However, no studies have been analyzed the kinetics of protein denaturation and the relationship between the degree of denaturation and chemical changes. Therefore, we investigated the changes in Ca²⁺-ATPase activity, protein solubility, and total sulfhydryl content of whole prawn meat during heating by determining the thermal denaturation kinetics of the proteins. Activation energies (E _a ) for the denaturation of myosin (183.2 kJ/mol) and actin (178.8 kJ/mol) were obtained by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Using the kinetic parameters, the distribution of protein denaturation was predicted in whole prawns under arbitrary heating conditions. The results revealed an uneven distribution of the protein denaturation in prawns that was dependent on the heating conditions. Ca²⁺-ATPase activity decreased with increasing heating times at 51 or 85 °C and was strongly related to the average degree of protein denaturation. The results of protein solubility analysis suggested that hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and ionic bonds changed with protein denaturation. The number of ionic bonds was reduced, while hydrogen content was enhanced at both temperatures. Hydrophobic interactions increased gradually at 51 °C (p?<?0.05). At 85 °C, hydrophobic interactions increased notably at first (p?<?0.05); however, as heating continued, no significant changes were observed (p?>?0.05). Our results indicate that the extent of protein solubility is significantly correlated with the average degree of protein denaturation during the heating process.     

Determination of Total Sugar Content in Soy-Based Drinks Using Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

Partial least square (PLS) regression models were developed and compared in order to determine the total sugar content in soy-based drinks using an infrared spectroscopy technique known as attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR). On a spectrophotometer set for analyzing on the middle infrared region, spectral band of 1900 to 900 cm^?1, commercial samples of soy beverage were analyzed, as well as samples with crescent water additions of 5, 10, and 20% v/v. Reference data for total sugars were obtained using the Lane-Eynon method. To construct regression models, algorithms of interval partial least square (iPLS) and synergy of interval partial least square (siPLS) were applied using iToolbox package on Matlab 8.1 environment. Kennard-Stone algorithm was used to the selection of calibration and prediction sets. Two models have been the best obtained: the first was an iPLS with seven latent variables, which selected the spectral band of 1399–900 cm^?1 and presented root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV)?=?0.1678% (w/w). The second best model was siPLS with six latent variables, which selected spectral bands of 1025–1150 and 1151–1476 cm^?1 and presented RMSECV?=?0.1963% (w/w). The proposed method presents advantages such as a small-required amount of sample for spectrum achievement, no sample destruction, and a high analytical frequency.     

Preparation and Release Behavior of Gelatin-Based Capsules of Antioxidants from Ethanolic Extracts of Thai Riceberry Bran

This study aimed to devise an environment-friendly and effective, yet simple and practicable, antioxidant extraction and encapsulation method from Riceberry bran, whose extract was used thereafter for developing highly efficient antioxidant capsules. Ethanolic Riceberry bran extracts with high total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity (using DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay) were obtained using ultrasonic-assisted extraction. The optimum conditions for producing the capsules, such as types of gelatin, concentrations of gelatin, and the Riceberry bran extract concentrations, were studied. Capsules produced by incorporating 1% (w/v) of acid-treated gelatin (type A) and 1% (w/v) of Riceberry bran extract yielded higher chemical properties. When dispersed in water at 37 °C, the capsules exhibited a high release of antioxidants. Moreover, the capsule showed a lower degradation rate of antioxidants under simulated gastrointestinal conditions compared to the crude extract.     

Extraction of Flaxseed Oil: A Comparative Study of Three-Phase Partitioning and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Using Response Surface Methodology

Flaxseed has gained significant interest as a source of edible oil that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high content of flaxseed proteins and lignans that are known to be therapeutic. Low oxidative stability of flaxseed oil necessitates the use of extraction technologies that are advanced and economically viable than the currently used cold press extraction. This work compares the yield and quality of the flaxseed oil obtained by individually optimized supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SCE), three-phase partitioning (TPP), solvent extraction and the reported values of cold press extraction. The yields of oil obtained were comparable for SCE (30.03% w/w), TPP (22.46% w/w), ultrasonic pre-treated TPP (27.05% w/w), enzyme-pre-treated TPP (26.24% w/w) and reported value of 25.50% w/w in commercial screw-press expeller but lower than solvent extraction (41.53% w/w). Amongst the techniques evaluated, enzyme-pre-treated TPP using Accellerase® is recommended due to excellent protein recovery of 86.62%, better oil quality (iodine value, peroxide value, acid value and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity) and a potential of being industrially scalable.

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Graphical Abstract

     

Effect of Tannin Extracts on Biofilms and Attachment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> on Lettuce Leaves

Lettuce is often involved in foodborne outbreaks caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli. Current control strategies have often proved ineffective to ensure safe food production. For that reason, the present study compared the efficacy of tannin extracts and chlorine treatments on the reduction of E. coli ATCC 25922 adhered to lettuce leaves. E. coli was inoculated artificially on leaf surfaces of fresh crisp lettuce. Effectiveness of water, chlorine (200 mg/L), and three commercial available tannin extracts from Acacia mearnsii De Wild. (tannin AQ (2 %, w/v), tannin SG (1 %, v/v) and tannin SM (1 %, v/v)) treatments was evaluated using the viable plate count method and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM results revealed that bacterial cells are attached as individual cells and in clusters to the leaf surface after 2 h of incubation. Biofilm formation was observed after 24 h of incubation. The tannin SM treatment was able to reduce counts in approximately 2 log CFU/cm² on leaf segments. However, treatment was less effective in the reduction of E. coli counts after 24 h of incubation when compared to 2 h incubation of the same extract. The results suggest that the tannin SM extract diminishes E. coli counts adhered to and under biofilm formation on lettuce leaves and its effect is similar to the use of chlorine solutions.     

Determination of Protein Content of Raw Fresh Cow’s Milk Using Dielectric Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometric Methods

To investigate the feasibility of dielectric spectroscopy in determining the protein content of raw fresh milk, the dielectric spectra of dielectric constant and loss factor were obtained on 145 raw cow’s milk samples at 201 discrete frequencies from 20 to 4500 MHz using a network analyzer and an open-ended coaxial-line probe. It was found that in below 1000 MHz, there was positive linear relationship between the loss factor and the protein content with a coefficient of determination (R ²) greater than 0.66. In order to identify the most accurate method for determining the protein content, 97 milk samples were selected for calibration set, and the other 48 samples were used as prediction set by using joint x–y distance sample set partitioning method. The standard normal variate method was used to preprocess spectra. Ten, 152, and 7 variables were extracted as characteristic variables using successive projection algorithm (SPA), uninformative variable elimination (UVE) method based on partial least squares, and SPA after UVE (UVE-SPA) methods, respectively. The results showed that applying SPA after UVE was helpful to extract indispensible characteristic variables from full dielectric spectra. The models based on the least squares supporting vector machine (LSSVM) offered the best performance at the same characteristic variable extraction method when compared with those established by partial least squares regression and extreme learning machine. The best model for determining the protein content of milk was LSSVM-UVE-SPA with \( {R}_p^2 \) of 0.865, root-mean-square error of prediction set (RMSEP) of 0.094, and residual predictive deviation (RPD) of 2.604. The results indicate that the protein content of milk could be determined precisely by using dielectric spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods. The study is helpful to explore a new milk protein sensor which could be used in situ or online measurement.     

Synergistic Processing of Skim Milk with High Pressure Nitrous Oxide,Heat, Nisin,and Lysozyme to Inactivate Vegetative and Spore-Forming Bacteria

Individual and combined effects of high pressure nitrous oxide (HPN₂O), heat, and antimicrobials on the inactivation of Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, and Bacillus atrophaeus endospores in milk were all evaluated after 20-min treatments. Stand-alone milk treatments with HPN₂O (15.2 MPa), heat (45 and 65 °C), or nisin (50 and 150 IU mL^?1) resulted in log₁₀ reductions ranging only from 0.1 to 2.1 for E. coli and L. innocua. Combining HPN₂O (15.2 MPa) with heat (65 °C) inactivated 6.0 and 5.1 log₁₀ in the vegetative bacteria, respectively. Similarly, reductions of 5.9 and ≥ 6.0 log₁₀ of respective E. coli and L. innocua cells in milk were achieved through a combination of HPN₂O (15.2 MPa), heat (65 °C), and nisin (150 IU mL^?1). A 2.5 log₁₀ cycle inactivation of spores was obtained by HPN₂O, nisin (at both 50 and 150 IU mL^?1), and lysozyme (50 μg mL^?1) at 85 °C. Combining these processing techniques resulted in significantly greater microbial inactivation (p < 0.05) than the sum of individual reductions from each treatment alone, indicating synergistic effects. HPN₂O irrespective of processing temperatures did not cause any occurrence of sub-lethally injured cells or disruption in colloidal stability of milk at 65 and 85 °C (p ≥ 0.05). Color and pH changes in milk following the most demanding treatment conditions were minimal.     

Alcohol Determination in Distilled Alcoholic Beverages by Liquid Phase Fourier Transform Mid-Infrared and Near-Infrared Spectrophotometries

Fourier transform mid-infrared spectrophotometry (FT-MIR), 1180–950 cm^?1, and near-infrared spectrophotometry (NIR), 1720–1660 nm, have been used complementarily for the direct determination of ethanol and methanol in distilled alcoholic beverages. In mid-infrared ethanol and methanol identified separately, hence, it has been used to confirm the absence or presence of methanol. In the absence of methanol, both were used to determine the alcoholic strength independently; however, near-infrared was used without diluting the samples. Ethanol and methanol contents were evaluated using the calibration curves established by a plot of peak height or peak area versus concentration % (w/w). The linearity range for ethanol was up to 15 and 50 % (w/w) for mid- and near-infrared, respectively. The developed methods are simple, fast, precise, and accurate. Moreover, the results obtained were in excellent agreement with the results obtained from gas chromatographic measurements. No sample preparation was required at all, and in all samples, methanol was not detected.     

Ohmic Heating Behaviour of Cabbage and Daikon Radish

Shredded cabbage (50 % v/v) and Daikon radish cubes (57 % v/v) with different salt concentrations (0.15, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 1.85 %) were heated from 30 to 70 °C in a static ohmic heating cell at different voltages (65, 80, 100, 120, and 135 V) and frequencies (60, 2070, 5030, 7990, and 10,000 Hz) to evaluate their ohmic heating behaviour. Radish heated under 1.5 % salt, 120 V and 7990 Hz or 1 % salt, 135 V and 5030 Hz conditions gave the shortest heating time of 6 min from 30 to 70 °C, and cabbage gave the longest time of 128 min at 0.15 % salt, 100 V, and 5030 Hz. Regression models of heating rate as a quadratic function of the sample temperature gave R² >0.98. The general trend observed was that the magnitude of the heating rate increased with frequency at high voltage but decreased at low voltage for cabbage, while the opposite trend was observed for radish. Heating was more efficient at higher salt concentration and applied voltage. Radish heated more rapidly than cabbage. A slight slope change was observed in all cases between 50 and 60 °C. The response surface models revealed linear, cross products and quadratic effects to be significant with R ² over 0.98.     

Effects of Oligosaccharides and Soy Soluble Polysaccharide on the Rheological and Textural Properties of Calcium Sulfate-Induced Soy Protein Gels

This study investigated the rheological and textural properties of calcium sulfate (CaSO₄)-induced gels formed by soy protein containing oligosaccharides (sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose) and soy soluble polysaccharide. The results showed that the hardness and water holding capacity of the gels were significantly strengthened (P < 0.05) by the incorporation of oligosaccharides at the 1, 3, and 5% (w/v) levels and soy polysaccharide at the 0.3 and 0.5% (w/v) levels. The storage modulus after the temperature cycle, frequency sweep, creep recovery tests, and large deformation properties demonstrated that the affixion of above cosolutes enhanced the rigidity (elastic properties) of gels. Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM) analysis indicated that the cosolutes also improved the microstructures of the gels and herein the gels containing stachyose exhibited the greatest compactness. The gel solubility in different buffers verified the speculation that the protein-protein interactions were enhanced by the incorporation of cosolutes and hence accounted for the improvement of the gel properties. The results of this study would potentially promote the use of health-promoting raffinose, stachyose, or soy polysaccharide and facilitate the development of novel soy protein-based gel products with firmer texture and higher nutritional value.     

Smart NMR Method of Measurement of Moisture Content of Vegetables During Microwave Vacuum Drying

Microwave drying is usually combined with vacuum environment in conjunction with hot air flow to draw the moisture rapidly. The moisture content of the vegetables undergoing drying is hard to measure online. This research designed a microwave vacuum drying (MVD)-low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) smart device and investigated the feasibility of NMR method for online measurement of state of moisture during MVD. The relation between the signal amplitude (A ₂) and the true moisture content (M ₁) of six kinds of vegetables (mushroom, carrot, potato, lotus, edamame, vegetable corn) was fitted to estimate if NMR can measure the M ₁ of vegetables directly. Results showed that A ₂ and M ₁ of different fresh vegetables had no single empirical mathematical model to fit. However, for each kind of these vegetables, the A ₂ and corresponding M ₁ in different MVD stages showed a significant linear relationship. The predicted moisture content (M ₂) of mushroom: M ₂ = 5.25351 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.34042, R = 0.996; carrot: M ₂ = 5.78756 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.14108, R = 0.998; potato: M ₂ = 3.10019 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.10612, R = 0.991; lotus: M ₂ = 2.32415 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.01573, R = 0.998; edamame: M ₂ = 3.13310 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.4198, R = 0.996; vegetable corn: M ₂ = 1.69461 × 10^?4 A ₂ ? 0.09063, R = 0.995. The linear models between M ₂ and A ₂ were able to estimate the end point (M ₁ < 8%) of MVD with a high accuracy (P > 0.950).