Changes in texture,microstructure and nutritional quality of carrot slices during blanching and freezing

Thermal processing of vegetables has pronounced effects on the cell structure, often lowering the final textural properties of the product. In order to investigate the effect of thermal processing on carrot, slices were subjected to different blanching and freezing treatments before frozen storage. Microwave-, steam- or water-blanched material was frozen and then stored at −24 °C. Steam-blanched carrots were subjected to blast freezing or cryogenic freezing at different temperatures before frozen storage. The influence of these process conditions on the texture (maximum load and slope), microstructure, dry matter, sugars, carotene and drip loss was investigated. Microwave blanching differed from the other blanching methods by resulting in a heterogenic cell structure. The content of dry matter, carotene and sucrose was higher following microwave blanching. Blast freezing resulted in low maximum load which seemed to be caused by major tissue damage. Concerning cryogenic freezing, lowering the temperature from −30 °C to −70 °C resulted in better preservation of the native microstructure together with an increase in maximum load, which was most pronounced after one month of storage. No significant effect was observed when lowering the temperature from −30 °C to −70 °C for any of the other measured parameters. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of freezing and storage on quality factors in Hamburg and leafy parsley

Two types of parsley — the Hamburg cv Berli ska and leafy type cv Paramount — were frozen and stored at temperatures of −20 and −30 °C for 9 months. One half of the material was blanched before freezing and the other half was non-blanched. In 100 g fresh leaves of Hamburg parsley there were 20.0 g of dry matter, 310mg of vitamin C, 7.5mg of β-carotene, 203mg of chlorophyll, 30.8 mg N---NO₃ and 0.078 mg N---NO₂. For the leafy type the corresponding values were 17.3 g, 257 mg, 9.4mg, 68.5mg, and 0.077mg. The material blanched before freezing showed significant losses in the contents of vitamin C (47–51%), nitrates (22–33%), and nitrites (43–55%) and distinctly smaller ones but also significant in the case of dry matter. During freezing and storage of frozen products there were losses in vitamin C, β-carotene, and chlorophyll while the levels of nitrates and nitrites were variable. Particularly great losses of vitamin C and β-carotene were observed in the non-blanched frozen leaves stored at −20 °C. After 9 months' storage, frozen products preserved 10–44% of vitamin C, 37–91% of β-carotene, 78–95% of chlorophyll, and 78–153% of nitrates. Of the types of parsley analyzed the Hamburg type was a better raw material for freezing because of a significantly higher content of vitamin C and chlorophyll and significantly less nitrates in frozen products. When the storage temperature was −30 °C, the blanching of leaves was not necessary, although it helped their pressing into cubes.     

Effects of the methods of pre-treatment before freezing on the retention of chlorophylls in frozen leaf vegetables prepared for consumption

The investigation included kale, New Zealand spinach and spinach. The evaluation covered the raw material; the raw material after blanching; the raw material after cooking; and frozen products prepared for consumption after 0, 4, 8 and 12 months of refrigerated storage. Both the traditional method of freezing (blanching before freezing) and the modified method of freezing (cooked before freezing) were used in the experiment, as well as two storage temperatures, T = −20 °C and T = −30 °C. The content of chlorophylls in fresh kale was four times that in New Zealand spinach and 1.5 times that in spinach. With the exception of New Zealand spinach, blanching and cooking significantly reduced the content of chlorophylls. In kale products prepared for consumption, the content of chlorophylls decreased in each successive stage of the investigation. In products of New Zealand spinach and spinach, the losses were usually not significant. After 12 months of refrigerated storage, frozen kale products prepared for consumption retained 52–65% of total chlorophylls compared with the content in the raw material; products of New Zealand spinach and spinach retained 66–71%. In kale and New Zealand spinach, the content of chlorophyll a decreased more rapidly than that of chlorophyll b, while in spinach the converse was true. The kale products obtained using the modified method contained more chlorophylls, while in the two spinach species their content was lower. The lower storage temperature resulted in a higher retention of chlorophylls in vegetables.     

Synergistic mechanism of steam blanching and freezing conditions on the texture of frozen yellow peaches based on macroscopic and microscopic properties

Freezing and blanching are essential processing steps in the production of frozen yellow peaches, inevitably leading to texture softening of the fruit. In this study, the synergistic mechanism of stem blanching, freezing conditions (−20°C, −40°C, −80°C, and liquid nitrogen [−173°C]), and sample sizes (cubes, slices, and half peaches) on macroscopic properties of texture, cellular structure, and ice crystal size distribution of frozen yellow peaches were measured. Blanching enhanced the heat and mass transfer rates in the subsequent freezing process. For nonblanched samples, cell membrane integrity was lost at any freezing rate, causing a significant reduction in textural quality. Slow freezing further exacerbated the texture softening, while the ultra-rapid freezing caused structural rupture. For blanched samples, the half peaches softened the most. The water holding capacity and fracture stress were not significantly affected by changes in freezing rate, although the ice crystal size distribution was more susceptible to the freezing rate. Peach cubes that had undergone blanching and rapid freezing (−80°C) experienced 4% less drip loss than nonblanched samples. However, blanching softened yellow peaches more than any freezing conditions. The implementation of uniform and shorter duration blanching, along with rapid freezing, has been proven to be more effective in preserving the texture of frozen yellow peaches. Optimization of the blanching process may be more important than increasing the freezing rate to improve the textural quality of frozen yellow peaches.     

Effect of freezing and canning on the content of selected vitamins and pigments in seeds of two grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) cultivars at the not fully mature stage

Seeds of the grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) cultivars Derek and Krab, with a dry matter content of about 33%, were used for freezing and for canning. The content of vitamins C, B1, and B2 and of carotenoids, beta-carotene, and chlorophylls was determined in raw and blanched material, in frozen products after 6-month storage before and after cooking to consumption consistency, and in canned products after 6-month storage. In comparison with the cultivar Krab, raw seeds of Derek contained 45% more vitamin C, 14% more total chlorophylls, 13% less thiamine (vitamin B1), and 7% less riboflavin (vitamin B2). The level of carotenoids was similar. Blanching of seeds led to a statistically significant decrease only in the content of vitamin C. Freezing and frozen storage significantly lowered the level of vitamin C and chlorophylls. The cooking of frozen seeds and the production of canned products and their storage resulted in a statistically verified reduction in the content of components analysed in all the samples. Greater losses were found in products prepared from seeds of the cv. Krab. After cooking, frozen seeds contained more of all the analysed components than the canned products.     

烫漂及冻藏时间对速冻香椿品质的影响

采用不同的处理方法及冻藏时间对速冻香椿进行试验,结果表明:烫漂和速冻可引起香椿Vc、蛋白质、干物质含量的减少;随着冻藏时间的延长水分、Vc的含量会逐渐减少,蛋白质、干物质的含量会呈现先降后升的趋势。     

Study of lipoxygenase and peroxidase as blanching indicator enzymes in peas: change of enzyme activity,ascorbic acid and chlorophylls during frozen storage

In this study, the effects of different blanching conditions on residual lipoxygenase (LOX) and peroxidase (POD) activities and quality changes in peas during frozen storage were studied. Peas were analysed for LOX and POD activities, ascorbic acid and chlorophylls a and b contents at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of frozen storage. No regeneration of LOX and POD activities was determined in frozen-stored peas at −18 °C. The degradations of ascorbic acid and chlorophylls followed first-order kinetics. The half-lives of ascorbic acid, chlorophylls a and b derivatives in unblanched peas were found to be 3.30, 14.01 and 36.76 months during storage, respectively. Blanching at both 70 °C for 4.0 min and 80 °C for 2.0 min increased the half-life of ascorbic acid while it decreased those of chlorophylls a and b. Overall results suggested a blanching time of 2.0 min at 80 °C to inactivate 90% of initial POD activity, so, to retain quality parameters such as ascorbic acid and chlorophyll pigments in a storage period of 12 months at −18 °C.     

Chemical, Physical, and Sensory Properties of a Sweet Potato French-Fry Type Product During Frozen Storage

Chemical, physical, and sensory properties of a sweet potato Frenchfry type product were determined after 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months frozen storage. Analyses included measurements of dry matter, sugars, alcohol insoluble solids, carotene, vitamin C, color, texture and sensory panel scores for color, flavor and texture. Few changes were observed except for an appreciable loss (58%) in vitamin C and an apparent increase in carotene (27%). A partial drying treatment before freezing increased the rate of ascorbic acid loss. For the fried product, no appreciable storage-induced changes were noted in the sensory scores for color, flavor and texture thus indicating that the product had good stability in frozen storage.     

Effect of freezing/thawing conditions and long‐term frozen storage on the quality of mashed potatoes

The effects of freezing temperature (−80, −40 or −24 °C) and thawing mode (microwave or overnight at 4 °C) on quality parameters of mashed potatoes made from tubers (cv Kennebec) and from potato flakes were examined, as was the effect of long‐term frozen storage on the quality of mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes were tested for texture profile analysis (TPA) and cone penetration, oscillatory and steady rheometry, colour, dry matter, Brix and sensory analyses. In natural mashed potatoes, TPA hardness and oscillatory parameters showed that processing resulted in a softer product than the fresh control. The parameters were lower in the samples thawed at 4 °C than in those thawed by microwave at all the freezing temperatures used, which may be ascribed to gelatinisation of the starch released from damaged cells. Differences from the freshly prepared product decreased when the samples were frozen at −80 °C and thawed by microwave. No difference was found in sensory acceptability between samples frozen at −80 and −40 °C, which probably reflects the panellists' mixed preferences for air‐thawed versus microwave‐thawed samples. Increasing the time in frozen storage led to a natural mash with a firmer texture, higher L*/b* value and Brix; nonetheless, panellists found the samples at 0, 3 and 12 months of frozen storage equally acceptable. In commercial mash, penetration and oscillatory parameters showed that processing made for a firmer product than the fresh control, probably owing to retrogradation of gelatinised starch. Thawing mode had a significant effect on parameters, which were lower in the samples thawed at 4 °C. The structure and quality of commercial mash was more detrimentally affected by freezing and, therefore, we would not recommend either freezing or frozen storage of this mashed potato in the used conditions. Natural mash made from Kennebec potatoes should be frozen quickly and thawed by microwave in the conditions described to obtain a product more similar to that freshly made. If the samples are frozen by air blasting at −40 °C, the product can withstand frozen storage for one year. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Infrared Blanching on Enzyme Activity and Retention of β‐Carotene and Vitamin C in Dried Mango

The objectives of this work were to evaluate infrared (IR) dry blanching in comparison with conventional water blanching prior to hot air drying of mango to inactivate polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) enzymes, and to study its effect on color change and retention of vitamin C and β‐carotene. Mango cylinders were blanched under similar temperature–time conditions either by IR heating or by immersion in a water bath during 2 min at 90 °C (high‐temperature‐short‐time—HTST) or for 10 min at 65 °C (low‐temperature‐long‐time—LTLT). After blanching mango was hot air dried at 70 °C. PPO was completely inactivated during the blanching treatments, but AAO had a moderate remaining activity after LTLT treatment (～30%) and a low remaining activity after HTST treatment (9% to 15%). A higher retention of vitamin C was observed in mango subjected to IR dry blanching, 88.3 ± 1.0% (HTST) and 69.2 ± 2.9% (LTLT), compared with water blanching, 61.4 ± 5.3% (HTST) and 50.7 ± 9.6% (LTLT). All‐trans‐β‐carotene retention was significantly higher in water blanched dried mango, 93.2 ± 5.2% (LTLT) and 91.4 ± 5.1% (HTST), compared with IR dry blanched, 73.6 ± 3.6% (LTLT) and 76.9 ± 2.9% (HTST). Increased levels of 13‐cis‐β‐carotene isomer were detected only in IR dry blanched mango, and the corresponding dried mango also had a slightly darker color. IR blanching of mango prior to drying can improve the retention of vitamin C, but not the retention of carotenoids, which showed to be more dependent on the temperature than the blanching process. A reduction of drying time was observed in LTLT IR‐blanching mango.     

Glycine Betaine-Mediated Protection of Peas (Pisum sativum L.) During Blanching and Frozen Storage

We used glycine betaine (5–20% w/v) for blanching green peas (100°C, 60 s), and their subsequent freezing and storage (–20°C, 90 days). Blanching after the addition of glycine betaine at ≥10% (w/v) followed by a 90 day storage period which resulted in the most desirable outcome: higher vitamin C levels, a superior green color, enhanced organoleptic quality and texture, and improved retention of peroxidase and lipoxygenase activity relative to control peas (no glycine betaine added). Microscopic characterizations of control and treated peas revealed that glycine betaine acts as a cryoprotectant which maintains cellular integrity. Glycine betaine (10% w/v) could be used commercially for production of frozen peas with better quality attributes.     

Effect of freezing conditions and storage on ice crystal and drip volume in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): Evaluation of pressure shift freezing vs. air-blast freezing

Turbot fillets were frozen either by pressure shift freezing (PSF, 140 MPa, −14°C) or by air-blast freezing (ABF), and then stored at −20°C for 75 days. Smaller and more regular intracellular ice crystals were observed in fillets frozen by PSF compared with air-blast frozen ones. Ice crystals area in PSF samples was approximately 10 times smaller than that of ABF samples, on average. The PSF process reduced thawing drip compared with air-blast freezing. Conversely to this classical freezing process, the storage time did not adversely influence the thawing drip of PSF samples. In addition, PSF appeared to reduce cooking drip after 45 days of storage at −20°C. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed a significant reduction of the total enthalpy of denaturation for the pressure shift frozen samples compared to fresh and conventional frozen samples. Besides, a new melting transition appeared on the thermogram of PSF samples at approximately +40°C.     

Comparison of air freezing,liquid immersion freezing and pressure shift freezing on freezing time and quality of snakehead (Channa Argus) fillets

The objective of this study was to investigate the freezing time and quality differences in Snakehead fillets frozen by pressure shift freezing (PSF), conventional air freezing (AF) and liquid immersion freezing (LIF) at −20 °C, −40 °C and − 60 °C, respectively. The results showed that liquid immersion freezing at −60 °C maintained the quality best, with a freezing time of 3.62 min and the cross sectional area of 209.11 um². Air freezing at −20 °C had the longest freezing time (184.58 min) and the largest cross sectional area (4470.79 um²), and lowest hardness and springiness of the fillets. Pressure shift freezing did not demonstrate the well established advantages of maintaining better product quality found in similar technique with some other foods. The samples of pressure shift freezing also had higher thawing loss and free water ratio after thawing. Therefore, the liquid immersion freezing at lower temperatures was demonstrated to better maintain the quality of frozen products and held significant potential for commercial application.Industrial relevanceFreezing is a widely used method for extending the shelf life of aquatic products, but some freezing methods, especially the slower ones, often lead to the decrease in the quality and commercial value of frozen products during storage. This paper explored the comparison of industrially used freezing techniques (air freezing and liquid immersion freezing) with the novel pressure shift freezing technique. Liquid immersion freezing at −60 °C was found to be the preferred freezing method for Snakehead fillets, which maintained better frozen product quality, with a simple freezing process and low cost.     

Optimisation of freezing process with pressure steaming of potato tissues (cv Monalisa)

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for determining optimum conditions of the freezing process on pectinesterase (PE) activity, rheological parameters and textural properties in potato tissues. In the process of production of frozen potatoes, the second step of the stepwise blanching prior to freezing was considered as a fixed factor and performed at 97 °C for 2 min as well as the freezing rate in the freezing step itself, which was carried out at −2 °C min⁻¹. The effects of variation in levels of temperature (57.93–72.07 °C) and time (15.86–44.14 min) in the first blanching step on the PE activity were studied using a central composite rotatable design. A Box–Behnken factorial design was used to investigate the effects of simultaneous variation of temperature (60–70 °C) and time (20–40 min) in the first blanching step and steaming temperature (112–122 °C) and time (1–3 min) on rheological parameters and textural properties. Blanching temperature was the independent variable that most influenced either enzymatic activity or rheological parameters. Stationary points showing maximum PE activity had critical temperature and time values of 64.22 °C and 29.37 min before freezing and 64.39 °C and 28.02 min after freezing and steaming of the tissues, and these values were very close to those obtained for some creep compliance parameters. Results show a high correlation between increases in PE activity and tissue firmness below optimum experimental freezing conditions, proving the role of the enzyme as one of the main contributors to the firmness which determines the textural quality of frozen potato tissues. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Changes in the level of vitamin C,beta-carotene,thiamine, and riboflavin during preservation of immature grass pea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lathyrus sativus L</Emphasis>.) seeds

The aim of the work was to evaluate the content of vitamin C, beta-carotene, thiamine, and riboflavin in raw and preserved physiologically immature grass pea seeds. The seeds of the cultivar Krab, differing in their morphology, phytometric traits, and specific gravity were divided into four stages of maturity, which corresponded to the following levels of their dry matter content: I - 25.9, II - 30.1, III - 36.4, and IV 40.6 g/100 g. The evaluation was conducted at the stage of the raw material, the material after blanching, frozen seeds after 6-month storage before and after cooking to the consumption consistency, and canned seeds 6 months after production. With the maturity degree of grass pea seeds the content of vitamin C was reduced by 19%, beta-carotene by 29%, riboflavin by 20%, while that of thiamine increased by 97%. The blanching of seeds led to a statistically significant decrease only in the content of vitamin C. Freezing and frozen storage did not significantly affect the level of the analysed components. The cooking of frozen seeds, the preservation of canned products, and their storage significantly reduced the content of all the analysed components in all the samples. No dependence was found between the magnitude of decreases in the investigated compounds and the degree of seed maturity. After cooking frozen seeds prepared from the raw material at the same maturity degree as the canned product contained 32%-51% more vitamin C, 0%-8% more beta-carotene, 40%-97% more thiamine, and 20%-25% more riboflavin, depending on the degree of seed maturity.     

Kinetic modelling of vitamin C loss in frozen green vegetables under variable storage conditions

A systematic kinetic study of l-ascorbic acid loss of four green vegetables was conducted in the temperature range of freezing storage. The temperature-dependence of vitamin C loss in the −3 to −20 °C range was adequately modelled by the Arrhenius equation and activation energy ranged from 98 to 112 kJ/mol for the four frozen green vegetables. The developed models were validated in fluctuating time–temperature conditions, in order to establish their applicability in the real marketing path of the commercial products. Based on the models, the nutritional level can be estimated, at any point of the freezing chain, when the full time–temperature history is available. Comparison among different green vegetables showed that the type of plant tissue significantly affects the rate of vitamin C loss. Frozen spinach was found to be the most susceptible to vitamin C degradation, peas and green beans demonstrated a moderate retention, whereas okra exhibited a substantially lower loss rate.     

Contents of macro and microelements in fresh and frozen dill (Anethum graveolens L.)

The level of ash and its alkalinity and the contents of potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead, were determined in green dill (leaves and whole plants, about 20 cm in height, harvest time). The two usable parts were frozen using variable pretreatments (blanching or no blanching) and different storage temperatures (−20 and −30 °C). Analyses were conducted after 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of refrigerated storage. Fresh leaves contained more ash, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, cadmium and lead but less sodium and copper than whole plants, while the contents of potassium and calcium were similar. Blanching significantly reduced the level of ash and its alkalinity and of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead, both in the usable parts of the plant, and of sodium in whole plants and of iron in leaves. During the storage period, changes in the contents of the analysed constituents did not depend on the usable part or storage temperature, being statistically significant only for the contents of iron and copper in the two usable parts of frozen non-blanched dill.     

Content of amino acids and the quality of protein in as‐eaten green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) products

The content of amino acids in fresh green spears and in three as‐eaten products was considered, i.e., in fresh asparagus after cooking and in two products obtained from frozen asparagus stored for 12 months at ?20 °C. One of the frozen products was obtained using the traditional method (blanching–freezing–frozen storage) and then cooked. The other was obtained using the modified technology (cooking–freezing–frozen storage); after the storage period the product was defrosted and heated to consumption temperature in a microwave oven. The limiting amino acid of the first order was methionine with cystine, and of the second order leucine. Essential amino acids constituted 40–43% of the total amino acid content. The dominant amino acids were aspartic acid and glutamic acid. The culinary and technological procedures applied brought about a drastic decrease (50–56% in 16 g N) in tyrosine content.     

Impact of the industrial freezing process on selected vegetables -Part II. Colour and bioactive compounds

In the present study, the impact of the different steps (i.e. blanching, freezing, storage following the industrial freezing process and the final cooking prior to consumption) of the industrial freezing process was evaluated on colour, chlorophylls, lutein, polyphenols and ascorbic acid content of asparagus, green beans and zucchini. In addition, the domestic boiling of raw samples was compared with the boiling of frozen storage vegetables.Results showed that the blanching treatment retained phytochemicals in all studied green vegetables and the frozen storage up to 2 months did not negatively affected phytochemicals, in particular lutein and flavonoids in almost all samples. On the contrary, colour significantly changed during blanching and frozen storage. The changes of b* (yellowness) and the shift of H° (hue angle) were not coherent with the increase of pheophytin. In addition, the greenness (− a*) was found to increase with the exception of boiled samples in all vegetables. Generally, in boiled frozen vegetables there was a better or comparable retention of bioactive compounds with respect to raw ones, and this was especially true for green beans and zucchini. Colour changes after cooking did not exhibit the same trends among vegetables, being more remarkable for frozen asparagus in comparison with those boiled from raw, but overall comparable for green beans and zucchini.In conclusion, the overall results of the present study suggest that, when the industrial freezing process is well performed, the boiled frozen vegetables do not have a lower nutritional value than the fresh ones.     

Vitamin C in frozen,fresh squeezed,unpasteurized, polyethylene-bottled orange juice: a storage study

A storage study of frozen, fresh squeezed, unpasteurized, polyethylene-bottled orange juice was conducted to determine vitamin C loss on a monthly basis over a period of 24 months. Vitamin C content declined from an initial value of 40.6 mg/100 ml to 32.8 mg/100 ml in the final analysis for a loss of 19.2% over the storage period. A regression analysis showed a decrease of about 0.34 mg/100 ml of the vitamin C per month at this condition. The estimated shelf-life of this juice to meet the label claim of vitamin C of 130% DV is about 22 months at −23°C.