Optimisation of osmotic dehydration process of carrot cubes in mixtures of sucrose and sodium chloride solutions

In the optimisation of the osmotic dehydration process of the carrot cubes in mixtures of sucrose and sodium chloride by response surface methodology, using face-centred central composite design (CCF), it was shown that the independent process variables for osmotic dehydration process were osmotic solution concentrations (5–15% w/v sodium chloride in 50 °Brix sucrose syrup), temperature (35–55 °C) and process duration (120–240 min). Statistical analysis of results showed that the linear terms of all the process variables have a significant effect on all the responses. The optimum osmotic dehydration process conditions for maximum water loss, minimum solute gain, maximum retention of colour, and sensory score were: 50 °Brix + 15% w/v sodium chloride solution, 54.8 °C solution temperature and 120 min process duration.     

Optimization of osmotic dehydration of diced green peppers by response surface methodology

Osmotic dehydration of diced green peppers was optimized with respect to temperature (20-40 °C), time (15-600 min), salt (0-10 g/100 g) and sorbitol (0-10 g/100 g) concentrations through response surface methodology. Water loss (WL), solids gain (SG), salt uptake (SA) and sorbitol uptake (SO) were the responses in a 2⁴ central composite rotatable design. Models developed for all responses were significant (p ≤ 0.01) without significant lack of fit. Results suggested that optimum processing conditions of 5.5 g salt/100 g and 6 g sorbitol/100 g at 30 °C after 240 min would result in WL = 23.3%, SG = 4.1%, SA = 8 g/100 g dry pepper and SO = 2.4 g/100 ml extract.     

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.     

Optimisation of osmotic dehydration of carrot cubes in sucrose-salt solutions using response surface methodology

Osmotic dehydration of carrot cubes in ternary solution of water, sucrose and sodium chloride at different solution concentrations, temperatures and process durations were analysed for water loss and solute gain during osmotic dehydration. The osmotically pre-treated carrot cubes were further dehydrated in a cabinet dryer at 65 °C and were then rehydrated in water at ambient temperature of water for 10–12 h and were analysed for rehydration ratio, shrinkage and overall acceptability after rehydration. The process was optimised for maximum water loss, rehydration ratio and overall acceptability of the rehydrated product, and for minimum solute gain and shrinkage of rehydrated product by response surface methodology. The optimum conditions of various process parameters are 50°B+10% w/v aqueous sodium chloride concentration, 46.5 °C solution temperature and 180 min process duration.     

Osmotic dehydration assisted impregnation of curcuminoids in coconut slices

Osmotic treatment was explored as a method to infuse curcuminoids in coconut slices. The rate of mass transfer of moisture, solid and curcuminoids with or without application of ultrasound were studied over a range of concentration of osmotic solutions (0-50%). The diffusion coefficient of curcuminoids was 1.64 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s, when water was used in place of osmotic solute which was further enhanced by the application of ultrasound to 1.87 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s. Increase in the concentration of osmotic solution beyond 25% resulted in reversal in the direction of moisture and solid mass transfer. Ultrasound treatment resulted in higher moisture and solid mass transfer due to the breaking of cell structure as revealed by microstructure examination. HPLC analysis revealed that all the curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) were infused into the coconut matrix. The present study concluded that osmotic dehydration is a feasible technology for impregnation of functional ingredients into foods without altering its matrix.     

Effects of brine concentration and temperature on equilibrium distribution coefficients during osmotic dehydration of sardine sheets

Effects of brine concentration (0.15-0.27 gNaCl/g) and temperature (32-38°C) on equilibrium distribution coefficients of sardine sheets were studied during osmotic dehydration. The equilibrium distribution coefficients of water and salt were determined using the mass transfer dynamic. The distribution coefficient for water and salt ranged from 0.5008 to 0.6254 and from 0.5286 to 0.7783, respectively. At a constant brine concentration, distribution coefficient of water decreased and distribution coefficient of salt increased with the increasing temperature. At a constant temperature, distribution coefficients of water and salt decreased with the increase in brine concentration. A multiple linear regression fitted (P=0.001; R²=0.877-0.966) distribution coefficient as a function of brine concentration and temperature.     

Osmotic dehydration of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller)

Aloe vera possess immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antibacteria effects and wound and burn healing properties, but it is a very unstable product due to its high water content. Osmotic dehydration can be used to obtain stable products from aloe. In this work the effect of osmotic dehydration (OD) on Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) leaves was studied. Peeled and unpeeled Aloe vera slices (15 × 50 mm), were immersed in sucrose solutions at 35, 50 and 65 °Brix at 25 and 40 °C. Moisture, effective diffusion coefficients and mass fluxes (water loss, solids gained and weight reduction) were determined. Osmotic dehydration experiments were conducted at atmospheric pressure. The best conditions for the OD of Aloe slices with the highest effect on diffusivity were obtained using a temperature of 40 °C for peeled samples. The analysis of the effect of temperature on mass transfer kinetics showed that unpeeled samples were more effected than peeled samples.     

Shrinkage, density, porosity and shape changes during dehydration of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) fruits

The aim of this work was to study the changes in volume, density, porosity and shape factors of pumpkin tissue during osmotic dehydration (OD) and air drying (AD). Pumpkin cylinders with length/diameter ratio of 5/3 were used. OD experiments were carried out with solutions of sucrose, sodium chloride and mixtures of both solutes at different temperatures. AD experiments were conducted at 70 °C. Volume of samples decreased linearly with weight reduction (WR). Bulk density varied in a restricted range (5-13%) during dehydration and for all the methods maximum values were found. Particle density increased during both processes. Porosity increased at advanced degrees of dehydration, showing a minimum value at the beginning of OD and AD. The proposed models to evaluate shrinkage, bulk and particle densities and porosity from WR were satisfactorily applied. Image analysis showed that shrinkage of samples during OD was isotropic. Pumpkin cylinders increased elongation and decreased roundness and compactness during osmotic dehydration.     

Osmotic dehydration of apples in sugar/salt solutions: Concentration profiles and effective diffusion coefficients

Apples (Fuji variety) were treated in aqueous sucrose (50% w/w) and salt (NaCl, 10% w/w) solutions for 2, 4 and 8 h (27 °C). Concentration profiles were determined as a function of the distance, considering the unidirectional and normal diffusion to the exposed face of the immersed fruit. The density, water, sugar and salt contents were determined for each piece of apple. A mathematical model was fitted to the experimental data for the water, sucrose and salt contents. A numerical method of finite differences allowed for the calculation of the effective diffusion coefficients as a function of concentration, using the material coordinates to consider tissue shrinkage. The coefficients were obtained by simultaneously integrating the three differential equations (for water, sucrose and salt). The behavior of the apple cellular tissue was also studied using light microscopy techniques to obtain images of the osmotically treated pieces.     

Evaluation of process conditions on osmotic dehydration and quality indexes of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and further polymeric film selection for packaging and refrigerated storage

We studied the influence of composition and concentration of solutions and product size on mass transfer kinetics during Anco pumpkin osmotic dehydration (OD). Once optimal conditions were determined, samples packed in commercial polymeric films were microbiologically analysed during refrigerated storage. The optimal OD time was 3 h, when the efficiency index WL/SG (water loss/solid gain) was stabilised. At this time, 1.0 and 1.5 cm cubes presented the highest index value (about 11) in binary solution (sucrose 55°Bx). WL was higher in 1.0 cm cubes for each dehydrating ternary salt solution tested, and no significant differences in firmness were observed with Calcium Lactate addition. Thus, optimal condition for OD in ternary solutions was 180 min and 55°Bx – 2% NaCl. Microbiological determinations were done for dehydrated (55°Bx without/with 2% NaCl) and untreated samples, packaged in different polymeric films. The combination with lowest mesophilic and psychrophilic counts at day 10 was: samples dehydrated with ternary solution of sucrose-salt packed in Polypropylene film.     

Application of microwaves dielectric spectroscopy for controlling long time osmotic dehydration of parenchymatic apple tissue

Dielectric spectroscopy studies have been performed on fresh and osmotically dehydrated Granny Smith apples. The osmotic treatment consisted on immerse the samples into 65% (w/w) sucrose aqueous solution at 30 °C during different exposure times lasted from 3 h to 16 days. Some physical-chemical parameters were measured in fresh, treated and reposed (24 h at 30 °C) samples. Dielectric spectra were measured in the frequency range from 500 MHz to 20 GHz by an Agilent 85070E Open-ended Coaxial Probe connected to an Agilent E8362B Vector Network Analyzer in the fresh, treated and reposed samples. It has been demonstrated that the dielectric properties are a good tool to control the surface water activity by using the loss factor at relaxation frequency. This relation of dielectric properties with the water activity allows controlling the shrinkage level and determines the moment when the driving forces change from diffusional to mechanical behaviors. This value corresponds to 12.25 ± 0.16 and represents a practical control value to decide if the final dehydrated samples shrink or swell. Moreover, the quantity of adsorbed water was estimated by the subtraction between the overall moisture and the water content in liquid phase estimated by using dielectric loss factor at relaxation frequency.     

Optimization of microwave frying of osmotically dehydrated potato slices by using response surface methodology

Microwave frying of osmotically dehydrated potatoes was optimized by using response surface methodology. Osmotic dehydration was applied prior to microwave frying in order to reduce oil uptake and to evaluate the effect of osmotic dehydration on quality of microwave fried potatoes. Moisture content, oil content, hardness and color of the fried potatoes were used as quality parameters. Microwave power level (400, 550, 700 W), frying time (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 min) and osmotic dehydration time (15, 30, 45 min) were the independent variables in the study. Osmotic dehydration treatment was conducted using 20% (w/w) sodium chloride solution at 30 °C. Moisture content of the fried potatoes decreased whereas oil content, hardness and ΔE value of potatoes increased with increasing frying time and microwave power level. The increase in osmotic dehydration time reduced moisture content and oil content and increased hardness of fried potatoes. The optimum condition was found as frying at 400 W microwave power level for 1.5 min after 39 min of osmotic dehydration time.     

Osmotic dehydration pretreatment for improving the quality attributes of frozen mango: effects of different osmotic solutes and concentrations on the samples

The effect of osmotic dehydration pretreatment on the quality attributes (e.g. colour, hardness, drip loss, vitamin C content and pH) of frozen mango cuboids in different osmotic solutions (sucrose, glucose and maltose) and concentrations (30, 45 and 60% (wt/wt)) was investigated. Results revealed that melting temperature of mango cuboids was affected by both solute type and solid mass fraction. In addition, the dehydrofrozen samples pretreated in maltose had higher quality in vitamin C content (increasing by 23.5–73.0%), colour (colour change reducing by 2.6–39.2%) and drip loss (reducing by 0.7–9.7%) than those pretreated in other osmotic solutions. The cuboids pretreated in glucose displayed higher hardness (increasing by 16.4–36.2%). Based on principal component analysis and group distance, osmotic dehydration in 45% maltose was proposed as the most favourable freezing conditions with the highest sensory score (6.8). The current work indicates osmotic dehydration significantly improves frozen mango quality.     

低温快速电解磷化工艺研究

介绍低温电解磷化技术及钢丝表面快速形成磷酸锌涂层的工艺。利用磷化膜面质量对电解磷化膜进行评估,研究电流密度、时间和温度对电解磷化的影响。使用XRD和SEM分析电解磷化膜的成分主要为四水磷酸锌,形成的晶粒为球状结构,磷化膜细腻。优化后的工艺条件:电流密度为3～4 A/dm2,时间为20～40 s,温度为30～40℃,磷化膜面质量8～10 g/m2。实际应用表明该电解磷化技术具有无渣的特点。该电解磷化膜既可用于水箱式拉拔,压缩率超过90%以上,拉拔速度达到8 m/s,也适用于干式拉拔,拉拔速度可达13 m/s。     

低温等离子体处理对鲜参切片的杀菌效果及表面色泽的影响

目的 探讨低温等离子体处理对鲜参切片表面微生物的杀菌效果,以及对鲜参切片表面色泽的影响,获得优化杀菌工艺条件,为鲜人参的保鲜贮藏提供新方法。方法 首先,以鲜参切片表面微生物的杀菌率为指标,考察放电电源功率(W)、等离子体处理时间(min)、气体流速(cm3/min)三个因素的杀菌效果,然后根据单因素试验的结果,应用三因素三水平响应面优化试验设计,获得最佳杀菌工艺,并测定低温等离子体处理鲜参切片的色泽变化。结果 低温等离子体处理鲜参切片的最佳杀菌工艺条件为：放电电源功率340 W、等离子体处理时间4.7 min、气体流速10 cm3/min,在此条件下的杀菌率为99.89%;影响因素的显著性大小顺序为: 等离子体处理时间>放电电源功率>气体流速,且鲜切参片经低温等离子体处理后色泽无明显变化。与酸性氧化电位水杀菌相比,低温等离子体处理的杀菌率提高了5.3%, 杀菌时间缩短了57%, 杀菌效果更好。结论：低温等离子体处理对鲜参切片表面微生物的杀菌效果显著,低温等离子体处理可以作为一种更高效、更省时的非热杀菌方法。     

Application of microwaves dielectric spectroscopy for controlling osmotic dehydration of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cv Hayward)

Dielectric spectroscopy studies have been performed on fresh and osmotically dehydrated kiwifruits (Actinidia deliciosa cv Hayward). The osmotic treatment consisted on the immersion the samples into 65% (w/w) sucrose aqueous solution at 30 °C during different treatment times from 5 to 1440 min. Some physical–chemical parameters were measured in fresh, treated and reposed (24 h at 30 °C) samples. Dielectric spectra were measured in the frequency range from 500 MHz to 20 GHz by an Agilent 85070E Open-ended Coaxial Probe connected to an Agilent E8362B Vector Network Analyzer in the fresh, treated and reposed samples. It has been demonstrated that the dielectric technique is a good method to control the osmotic treatment in kiwifruit.Industrial relevance: The results of this research article are demonstrated to be useful for controlling candying of kiwifruits in bakery industries. Thus, the industrial relevance is clear in order to optimize the osmotic dehydration times and the final quantity of sugars added by using a non destructive technique that can be implemented in process line. Dielectric spectroscopy, which can be considered an emerging technology, has the advantage of being an objective and a rapid technique. For all these reasons we are sending to this journal “Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies” our results.     

Optimization of the process variables for the preparation of processed paneer using response surface methodology

Models capable of predicting the quality and yield of processed paneer have been developed using response surface methodology to determine the optimum processing conditions. Three and four-dimensional response surfaces were drawn and the individual contour plots of the different responses were superimposed, and regions meeting the maximum sensory score (29.50–30.75) and yield (9.50–10.50 g/100 g) were identified at 70.1±2.0 °C at 4.85±0.23 pH and 2.908±0.113 g/kg stabilizer concentration. These predicted values for optimum process conditions were in good agreement with experimental data.     

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。     

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.