Postharvest Ultrasound‐Assisted Freeze‐Thaw Pretreatment Improves the Drying Efficiency,Physicochemical Properties,and Macamide Biosynthesis of Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

A novel technique of ultrasound‐assisted freeze‐thaw pretreatment (UFP) was developed to improve the drying efficiency of maca and bioactive amide synthesis in maca. The optimal UFP conditions are ultrasonic processing 90 min at 30 °C with 6 freeze‐thaw cycles. Samples with freeze‐thaw pretreatment (FP), ultrasound pretreatment (UP), and UFP were prepared for further comparative study. A no pretreatment (NP) sample was included as a control. The results showed that UFP improved the drying efficiency of maca slices, showing the highest effective moisture diffusivity (1.75 × 10^?9 m²/s). This result was further supported by low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The rehydration capacity and protein content of maca slices were improved by UFP. More importantly, contents of bioactive macamides and their biosynthetic precursors were increased in 2.5‐ and 10‐fold, respectively. In conclusion, UFP is an efficient technique to improve drying efficiency, physicochemical properties, and bioactive macamides of maca, which can be applied in the industrial manufacture of maca products.     

Drying kinetics,physico‐chemical properties,antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of foam‐mat dried germinated rice bean (Vigna umbellata) hydrolysate

This research was aimed to study physico‐chemical properties and antioxidant activities of foam‐mat dried germinated rice bean (Vigna umbellata) hydrolysate. Germination led to an increase in released phenolic content and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP) of rice bean hydrolysate. The hydrolysate obtained from germinated rice bean (GRB) and non‐germinated rice beans (NGRBs) was foam‐mat dried at 60 and 70 °C. Semi‐theoretical and empirical model could suitably describe the drying characteristic of foamed bean hydrolysate. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of foam‐mat dried samples decreased with increasing air‐drying temperature (P ≤ 0.05). Gallic acid, catechol and epicatechin were major phenolic compounds in foam‐mat dried samples prepared from both GRB and NGRB. The higher phenolic content and antioxidant activities were found in foam‐mat dried hydrolysate of GRB. Electron spin resonance spectrometry revealed that foam‐mat dried rice bean hydrolysate showed a strong ability to scavenge free radicals, especially carbon‐centred radicals.     

Physicochemical and microbial quality evaluation of foam‐mat‐dried pineapple powder

Present experiments were carried to study the physicochemical and microbial quality of foam‐mat‐dried pineapple powder. Pineapple pulp was foamed using two foaming agents, tricalcium phosphate (TCP) (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.0%) and egg white (EW) (0%, 0.50%, 1.0%, 1.50%, and 2.0%). Carboxy methyl cellulose (0.25%) was used as foam stabiliser, and drying was carried out at 65, 75, and 85 °C in tray drier followed by pulverising the dried foam mats in to fine powder. Powdered samples were analysed for various physicochemical quality parameters viz. total sugars, reducing sugars, ascorbic acid, total acid, pH, iron, phosphorus and calcium content, and bacterial and fungal load. Statistical analysis using LSD revealed that sample dried using 1% TCP at 65 °C was the best with 4.60% total sugars, 2.71% reducing sugars, 4.05 mg per 100 g ascorbic acid, 0.35% total acid, 0.29 mg per 100 g Iron, 2.24 mg per 100 g phosphorous, and 6.58 g per 100 g calcium and zero bacterial and fungal growth.     

Microwave‐Osmotic/Microwave‐Vacuum Drying of Whole Cranberries: Comparison with Other Methods

A novel drying method for frozen‐thawed whole cranberries was developed by combining microwave osmotic dehydration under continuous flow medium spray (MWODS) conditions with microwave vacuum finish‐drying. A central composite rotatable design was used to vary temperature (33 to 67 °C), osmotic solution concentration (33 to 67 °B), contact time (5 to 55 min), and flow rate (2.1 to 4.1 L/min) in order to the determine the effects of MWODS input parameters on quality of the dried berry. Quality indices monitored included colorimetric and textural data in addition to anthocyanin retention and cellular structure. Overall it was found that the MWODS‐MWV process was able to produce dried cranberries with quality comparable to freeze dried samples in much shorter time. Additionally, cranberries dried via the novel process exhibited much higher quality than those dried via either vacuum or convective air drying in terms of color, anthocyanin content, and cellular structure.     

Influence of Xanthan–Curdlan Hydrogel Complex on Freeze‐Thaw Stability and Rheological Properties of Whey Protein Isolate Gel over Multiple Freeze‐Thaw Cycle

The effect of adding xanthan–curdlan hydrogel complex (XCHC) at 2 concentrations (0.25 and 0.5% w/w) on the freeze‐thaw stability of heat‐induced whey protein isolate (WPI) gel was investigated. Samples were stored at 4 °C for 24 h before subjected to 5 freeze‐thaw cycles alternating between ?16 °C (18 h) and 25 °C (6 h). Adding XCHC to the WPI solution resulted in the reduction of a significant amount of syneresis up to 5 repeated freeze‐thaw cycles. Addition of XCHC decreased the amount of syneresis from 45% in the control sample (pure WPI gel) to 31.82% and 5.44% in the samples containing 0.25% and 0.5% gum, respectively, after the 5th freeze‐thaw cycle. XCHC increased the storage modulus (G′) of the gels and minimized the changes of the G′ values over the 5 freeze‐thaw cycles, indicating improvement of the stability of the system. Furthermore, the minimum protein concentration for gel formation decreased in the presence of the XCHC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that addition of XCHC resulted in the formation of a well‐structured gel with numerous small pores in the network, which consequently improved the water retention ability during the temperature abuses up to 5 freeze‐thaw cycles. These results have important implications for using XCHC in the formulation of the frozen WPI‐based products with improved freeze‐thaw stability and rheological properties.     

Drying method and origin of standard affect condensed tannin (CT) concentrations in perennial herbaceous legumes using simplified butanol‐HCl CT analysis

BACKGROUND: Several factors affect condensed tannin (CT) levels in plants and accuracy of the butanol‐HCl assay for total CT. Six native, perennial, herbaceous legumes from Texas were harvested at three stages of growth over a growing season; young vegetation, initial flowering, and late season. The samples were subjected to oven‐drying and freeze‐drying and analyzed for extractable (ECT), protein‐bound (PBCT), and fiber‐bound (FBCT) CT using a butanol‐HCl procedure, comparing several types of purified CT as standards. RESULTS: There was a wide range of CT concentration in the legumes, but little change in ECT and total (TCT) tannin concentrations over the growing season. Oven‐drying decreased (P < 0.05) ECT and increased (P < 0.05) PBCT and FBCT concentrations compared with freeze‐drying, but both methods ranked the forages similarly throughout the growing season relative to TCT. Quebracho tannin as a standard increased CT values for the forages compared with purified legume CT standards, but all standards ranked the forages similarly relative to tannin concentration. Modifications to the procedure increased speed and ease of using the CT analysis method. CONCLUSION: Quantitative CT values have limited value except to allow a relative ranking of forages. Selection of appropriate standards is important in providing realistic CT values. Improvements in the total (extractable + bound) CT analysis method will allow wider use of this procedure. Although ECT and TCT values changed little in native legumes over a growing season, biological activity and potential nutritional/medicinal benefits of CT in these plants needs further evaluation. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Determination of biochemical properties of foam‐mat dried mango powder

Investigations were carried out to see the impact of drying air temperature (65, 75 and 85 °C) and milk as foaming agent in different concentration levels (0%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) on the chemical properties of foam‐mat dried mango juice powder. Chemical properties such as total sugars, ascorbic acid, total carotenes, minerals, total acid, pH, total soluble solids (TSS) and microbial load (fungal and bacterial) of foam‐mat dried mango powder were determined. Data were analysed as per two‐way anova , Duncan’s multiple range test and l.s.d. of Ag Res Software statistical package. Almost all chemical properties show decreasing trend with increase in drying air temperature. Microbial load was not detected in foam‐mat dried mango powder. It was found that addition of 10% milk as foaming agent and drying at 65 °C temperature gave better results.     

Effects of Spray‐Drying Parameters on In Vitro Functional Properties of Camu‐Camu (Myrciaria dubia Mc. Vaugh): A Typical Amazonian Fruit

Camu‐camu (Myrciaria dubia) fruit is a rich source of bioactive compounds but its shelf life is rather short. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the effect of inlet air temperature (T) and concentration (C) of maltodextrin and arabic gum on the spray‐drying process of commercial camu‐camu pulps (São Paulo and Manaus). Moisture, solubility, total phenolics (TP), ascorbic acid (AA), and proanthocyanidins (PAC) contents, and in vitro antioxidant capacity of the powders (FRAP, DPPH, Folin–Ciocalteu's reducing capacity were measured). Arabic gum resulted in better yields (22% to 30%), powder solubility (84% to 90%), and lower losses of analyzed compounds than the powders manufactured with maltodextrin. Overall, inlet air temperature had a lower impact on the responses studied than the concentration of carrier agents. Polynomial equations were generated for AA (R² = 0.993), TP (R² = 0.735), PAC (R² = 0.946), and for the antioxidant capacity assays (0.867 ≤ R² ≤ 0.963). In addition, principal component analysis showed that the lowest concentration of carrier agents (6%) in spray drying resulted in the lowest losses of bioactive compounds and, consequently, the highest antioxidant capacity.     

Preparation of Acid‐Resistant Microcapsules with Shell‐Matrix Structure to Enhance Stability of Streptococcus Thermophilus IFFI 6038

Microencapsulation is an effective technology used to protect probiotics against harsh conditions. Extrusion is a commonly used microencapsulation method utilized to prepare probiotics microcapsules that is regarded as economical and simple to operate. This research aims to prepare acid‐resistant probiotic microcapsules with high viability after freeze‐drying and optimized storage stability. Streptococcus thermophilus IFFI 6038 (IFFI 6038) cells were mixed with trehalose and alginate to fabricate microcapsules using extrusion. These capsules were subsequently coated with chitosan to obtain chitosan‐trehalose‐alginate microcapsules with shell‐matrix structure. Chitosan‐alginate microcapsules (without trehalose) were also prepared using the same method. The characteristics of the microcapsules were observed by measuring the freeze‐dried viability, acid resistance, and long‐term storage stability of the cells. The viable count of IFFI 6038 in the chitosan‐trehalose‐alginate microcapsules was 8.34 ± 0.30 log CFU g^?1 after freeze‐drying (lyophilization), which was nearly 1 log units g^?1 greater than the chitosan‐alginate microcapsules. The viability of IFFI 6038 in the chitosan‐trehalose‐alginate microcapsules was 6.45 ± 0.09 log CFU g^?1 after 120 min of treatment in simulated gastric juices, while the chitosan‐alginate microcapsules only measured 4.82 ± 0.22 log CFU g^?1. The results of the long‐term storage stability assay indicated that the viability of IFFI 6038 in chitosan‐trehalose‐alginate microcapsules was higher than in chitosan‐alginate microcapsules after storage at 25 °C. Trehalose played an important role in the stability of IFFI 6038 during storage. The novel shell‐matrix chitosan‐trehalose‐alginate microcapsules showed optimal stability and acid resistance, demonstrating their potential as a delivery vehicle to transport probiotics.     

Viability of the Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 Probiotic Strain in Swiss‐ and Dutch‐Type Cheese and Cheese‐Like Products

The objective of this study was to determine the viability of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in Swiss‐type and Dutch‐type cheese and cheese‐like products (milk fat is substituted by stearin fraction of palm fat) during manufacture, ripening, and storage. The use of the probiotic L. rhamnosus HN001 in Dutch‐type cheese and cheese‐like products significantly (P = 0.1) changed their chemical composition (protein and fat content) and an insignificant increase (approximately 1.6% in cheese‐like products and approximately 0.3% in cheese) in yield. L. rhamnosus HN001 did not affect the rate of changes in the pH of ripened cheese and cheese‐like products. A minor increase in probiotic counts was observed in initial stages of production and were partially removed with whey. Ripened cheese and cheese‐like products were characterized by high survival rates of probiotic bacteria which exceeded 8 log CFU/g after ripening. An insignificant reduction in the number of viable probiotic cells was noted during storage of Swiss‐type and Dutch‐type cheese, whereas a significant increase in probiotic cell counts was observed in cheese‐like products during storage.     

Modeling the Thin‐Layer Drying of Fruits and Vegetables: A Review

The drying of fruits and vegetables is a complex operation that demands much energy and time. In practice, the drying of fruits and vegetables increases product shelf‐life and reduces the bulk and weight of the product, thus simplifying transport. Occasionally, drying may lead to a great decrease in the volume of the product, leading to a decrease in storage space requirements. Studies have shown that dependence purely on experimental drying practices, without mathematical considerations of the drying kinetics, can significantly affect the efficiency of dryers, increase the cost of production, and reduce the quality of the dried product. Thus, the use of mathematical models in estimating the drying kinetics, the behavior, and the energy needed in the drying of agricultural and food products becomes indispensable. This paper presents a comprehensive review of modeling thin‐layer drying of fruits and vegetables with particular focus on thin‐layer theories, models, and applications since the year 2005. The thin‐layer drying behavior of fruits and vegetables is also highlighted. The most frequently used of the newly developed mathematical models for thin‐layer drying of fruits and vegetables in the last 10 years are shown. Subsequently, the equations and various conditions used in the estimation of the effective moisture diffusivity, shrinkage effects, and minimum energy requirement are displayed. The authors hope that this review will be of use for future research in terms of modeling, analysis, design, and the optimization of the drying process of fruits and vegetables.     

Particle Size of Milk Protein Concentrate Powder Affects the Texture of High‐Protein Nutrition Bars During Storage

Milk protein concentrate powder with 85% protein (MPC85) was jet‐milled to give 2 particle size distributions (that is, JM‐Coarse and JM‐Fine) or freeze‐dried (FD), in order to improve the functional properties of MPC85 for use in high‐protein nutrition (HPN) bars. Volume‐weighted mean diameter decreased from 86 μm to 49, 22, and 8 μm in FD, JM‐Coarse, and JM‐Fine, respectively (P < 0.05). The MPC85 powders modified by jet‐milling and freeze‐drying were significantly denser than the control MPC85 (P < 0.05). Volume of occluded air in the modified powders decreased (P < 0.05) by an order of magnitude, yet only FD possessed a lower volume of interstitial air (P < 0.05). Particle size reduction and freeze‐drying MPC85 decreased its water holding capacity and improved its dispersibility by at least 20%. Contact angle measurements showed that these modifications increased initial hydrophobicity and did not improve wettability. HPN bars made from JM‐Fine or FD were firmer by 40 or 17 N, respectively, than the control on day 0 (P < 0.05). HPN bar maximum compressive force increased by 38%, 33%, and 242% after 42 d at 32 °C when formulated with JM‐Fine, FD, or control MPC85, respectively. HPN bars prepared with JM‐Fine were less crumbly than those formulated with control or FD MPC85. Physically altering the particle structure of MPC85 improved its ability to plasticize within HPN bars and this improved their cohesiveness and textural stability.     

Microbiological and physicochemical properties of dry‐cured neck inoculated with probiotic of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB‐12

The effect of inoculum level of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB‐12 probiotic strain and ripening period on the quality of dry‐cured neck was studied. The microbiological parameters (Enterobacteriaceae, LAB and TVC) and physicochemical attributes (pH value, a_w, TBARS index, colour) were determined directly after fermentation at 15 °C for 3 weeks, after 6 and 12 months of ripening at 4 °C. The highest LAB count and a lower pH value were found in the meat inoculated with probiotic strain at 6.6 log cfu g^?1 (B2) followed by inoculation with probiotic strain at 6.3 log cfu g^?1 (B1). Level of inoculation had not had an influence on water activity, TBARS index and total colour parameters. Changes of fat oxidation during half‐year of ripening were limited in probiotic meat samples compared to naturally fermented control meat (C). Based on the results, it can be concluded that the most favourable physicochemical and microbiological parameters of the dry‐cured neck were obtained after 6 months of ripening. At that time, the Bifidobacterium BB‐12 at both levels is a good potential starter for meat fermentation.