The Impact of Thermosonication and Pulsed Electric Fields on Staphylococcus aureus Inactivation and Selected Quality Parameters in Orange Juice

The effect of thermosonication (TS) and pulsed electric fields (PEF) on inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus (SST 2.4) and selected quality aspects in orange juice was investigated. Conventional pasteurization (HTST, 94 °C for 26 s) was used as a control. TS (10 min at 55 °C) applied in combination with PEF (40 kV/cm for 150 μs) resulted in a comparable inactivation of S. aureus to that achieved by conventional HTST. TS/PEF did not affect the pH, conductivity, or °Brix and had a milder impact on the juice color than thermal treatment. Furthermore, the non-enzymatic browning index was significantly affected by HTST (P < 0.05) but not by TS and PEF. Ascorbic acid retention was almost complete after TS and PEF (96.0%), but it was substantially lower (P < 0.05) after HTST (80.5%). Residual activity of pectin methyl esterase (PME) decreased as PEF field strength and treatment time increased; however, applying TS and PEF in combination left a greater residual PME activity than HTST (12.9 vs 5.0%, respectively).     

Effects on microbial inactivation and quality attributes in frozen lychee juice treated by supercritical carbon dioxide

In this paper, we described the use of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) for the inactivation of natural microbes in lychee juice and evaluated its effects on lychee juice quality, compared to a conventional high-temperature, short-time (HTST) method. The HPCD treatments were carried out using a HPCD unit (8 MPa, 36 °C, 2 min), and the HTST was performed at 90 °C for 60 s. The results showed that five log reduction for yeasts and molds and total aerobic microorganisms occurred at 8 MPa for 2 min. And effects of the treatments on pH and concentrations of microbes, organic acids, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solid (TSS), sugars, polyphenols, color, and free amino acids were also investigated. HPCD could efficiently maintain the concentration of polyphenols and original color at 8 MPa, 36 °C for 2 min. Insignificant differences in colors were observed between unprocessed and HPCD juices, while significant differences were observed between unprocessed and HTST juices. Furthermore, HTST decreased the total free amino acids, whereas HPCD caused a significant increase (increased by 45.92% at 8 MPa) (p < 0.05). The increase in total amino acids induced by HPCD treatment is beneficial for nutritional value of commercial ready-to-drink lychee juice. In general, HPCD treatment had less influence on the measured quality parameters of lychee juice than HTST treatment. Therefore, HPCD treatment could be a useful alternative to traditional heat treatment.     

Determination of Whey Protein Denaturation in Heat-Processed Milks: Comparison of Three Methods

Fast protein liquid chromatography was used to determine the extent of whey protein denaturation in various heat-treated milk samples: Sordi-indirect UHT (145°C/3 s), Dasi-direct UHT (142°C/3 s), HTST (80°C/30 s), and batch (63°C/30 min). Results were compared with other published methods (differential scanning calorimetry, whey protein nitrogen index, and Kjeldahl nitrogen on salt fractions). Results of the differential scanning calorimetry method were too erratic to be used to quantify whey protein denaturation. The remaining methods (fast protein liquid chromatography, Kjeldahl nitrogen, and whey protein nitrogen index) gave reproducible results and the extent of denaturation (highest to lowest) was consistently predicted as Sordi > Dasi > HTST > batch. There was no difference between fast protein liquid chromatography and Kjeldahl nitrogen, but there was a significant difference between fast protein liquid chromatography and whey protein nitrogen index and between Kjeldahl nitrogen and whey protein nitrogen index. Fast protein liquid chromatography appears to be an effective method to determine whey protein denaturation in heat-treated milks.     

Quality assurance in pepper and orange juice blend treated by high pressure processing and high temperature short time

The impact of mixing ratio of pepper juice/orange juice (v/v) at 1:5, 1:2, 1:1, 1:0.5 and 1:0.2 on sensory attributes of pepper and orange juice blend (POJB) was studied, and the ratio of 1:0.5 achieved the highest ratings in mouthfeel and overall acceptability and was chosen for the following study. Effects of high pressure processing (HPP, 550 MPa, 5 min, ambient temperature) and high temperature short time (HTST, 110 °C, 8.6 s) on quality attributes of the POJBs were compared. Reduction of total aerobic bacteria (TAB) and molds and yeasts (M&Y) in the POJBs was > 4 log cycles after HPP and HTST, and the two POJBs were microbiologically safe during the whole refrigerated storage. The color, flavor, appearance, mouthfeel and overall acceptability of HPP-treated POJB were closer to untreated POJB than the HTST-treated one. After 25 days, 77.3% and 75.3% of total phenols content, 90.8% and 90.7% of ascorbic acid, and more than 80% of antioxidant capacity in two POJBs were retained, respectively. Particle size distribution (PSD) of HPP-treated POJB was consistent with untreated POJB (1 ~ 76 μm, 3 peaks at 4.2, 17, 52 μm), while HTST changed the PSD (1 to 33 μm, 2 peaks at 2.4 and 17 μm). Higher level of sedimentation in HPP-treated POJB during storage was interpreted by higher residual PME activity (67.0%) and larger and more unstable pulp particles. The POJBs behaved as Newtonian fluids, their viscosity right after processing were ranked as HPP > untreated > HTST, and the values were slightly reduced during storage.Industrial RelevanceThis study was intended to develop yellow sweet pepper and orange juice blend (POJB), which are not available on the market. Further this study was also intended to explore the application of high pressure processing (HPP) and high temperature short time (HTST) on quality assurance of the POJB. This study would provide technical support for commercialization of juice blend products treated by high pressure.     

Combinations of High Intensity Light Pulses and Thermosonication for the inactivation of Escherichia coli in orange juice

The non-thermal technologies High Intensity Light Pulses (HILP) and Thermosonication (TS) were applied alone and in combination to study their effect on Escherichia coli inactivation in orange juice. Two different energy settings were chosen in the current study, ‘Low’ (L) and ‘High’ (H), being the combinations applied: HILP(L) (4.03 J/cm²), HILP(H) (5.1 J/cm²), TS(L) (2.8 min residence time at 40 °C) and TS(H) (5 min residence time at 50 °C). Both the individual technologies and their combinations (HILP&TS and TS&HILP) were studied. Results showed inactivation ranging from 1.10 (TS(H)) to 2.42 (HILP(H)) log cfu/ml for the hurdles when applied individually and from 2.5 (HILP(L)&TS(H)) to 3.93 (HILP(H)&TS(L)) log cfu/ml for the combined treatments. Similar reductions in E. coli populations were achieved in orange juice by all treatment combinations irrespective of the sequence in which they were applied.     

Multi-frequency power thermosonication treatments of clear strawberry juice: Impact on color,bioactive compounds,flavor volatiles,microbial and polyphenol oxidase inactivation

Strawberry juice is popular among consumers for its bright color, unique flavor and rich nutrition. The aim of this study was to explore the suitable multi-frequency power thermosonication (TS) treatments to meet the requirements of microbiological safety for strawberry juice while maximizing the preservation of its quality properties. The TS treatments included 60 °C /5 min and 55 °C /15 min under dual-frequency concentrated ultrasound (DCU) and 60 °C /15 min and 55 °C /20 min under sweep-frequency divergent ultrasound (SDU). The results showed that all treatments could meet the requirements of commercial sterility (at 90 °C for 1 min). Compared with thermal processing (TP) at 90 °C for 1 min, TS treatment significantly improved the color properties of strawberry juice. SDU-60 °C and SDU-55 °C greatly retained the active ingredients in the strawberry juice. TS treatments had a stronger ability to maintain the aroma compared to TP. Especially, SDU-60 °C was the best treatment at retaining quality properties of strawberry juice with the highest comprehensive sensory evaluation score (7.68). Therefore, the results can provide scientific basis for industrial production of strawberry juice.Industrial relevanceIn the current study, results showed that TS maximized the overall quality of strawberry juice while achieving the effect of sterilization and enzyme inactivation. Among them, SDU-60 °C was the best treatment method to maintain the quality characteristics of strawberry juice, which can effectively reduce the loss of approximately 70% of total phenolic content. Thus, it provides the theoretical basis and technical support for the industrial production of strawberry juice.     

Shelf life of pasteurized microfiltered milk containing 2% fat

The goal of this research was to produce homogenized milk containing 2% fat with a refrigerated shelf life of 60 to 90 d using minimum high temperature, short time (HTST) pasteurization in combination with other nonthermal processes. Raw skim milk was microfiltered (MF) using a Tetra Alcross MFS-7 pilot plant (Tetra Pak International SA, Pully, Switzerland) equipped with Membralox ceramic membranes (1.4 μm and surface area of 2.31 m²; Pall Corp., East Hills, NY). The unpasteurized MF skim permeate and each of 3 different cream sources were blended together to achieve three 2% fat milks. Each milk was homogenized (first stage: 17 MPa, second stage: 3 MPa) and HTST pasteurized (73.8°C for 15 s). The pasteurized MF skim permeate and the 3 pasteurized homogenized 2% fat milks (made from different fat sources) were stored at 1.7 and 5.7°C and the standard plate count for each milk was determined weekly over 90 d. When the standard plate count was >20,000 cfu/mL, it was considered the end of shelf life for the purpose of this study. Across 4 replicates, a 4.13 log reduction in bacteria was achieved by MF, and a further 0.53 log reduction was achieved by the combination of MF with HTST pasteurization (73.8°C for 15 s), resulting in a 4.66 log reduction in bacteria for the combined process. No containers of MF skim milk that was pasteurized after MF exceeded 20,000 cfu/mL bacteria count during 90 d of storage at 5.7°C. The 3 different approaches used to reduce the initial bacteria and spore count of each cream source used to make the 2% fat milks did not produce any shelf-life advantage over using cold separated raw cream when starting with excellent quality raw whole milk (i.e., low bacteria count). The combination of MF with HTST pasteurization (73.8°C for 15 s), combined with filling and packaging that was protected from microbial contamination, achieved a refrigerated shelf life of 60 to 90 d at both 1.7 and 5.7°C for 2% fat milks.     

Inactivation of pectinmethylesterase in fresh orange juice by cold atmospheric plasma technology: A kinetic study

Preservation of fruit juices requires the inactivation of natural endogenous enzymes, such as pectinmethylesterase (PME). Within this work, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), and in particular a dielectric barrier plasma jet fed with helium gas, was demonstrated to effectively inactivate PME of freshly squeezed orange juice in short treatment times (2–30 min). By a combination of temperature measurements and a multidimensional heat transfer model, the temperature profile of the whole sample during plasma treatment was extracted. It was found that the thermal phenomena were not a driving factor for PME inactivation. Plasma treatment of orange juices resulted in inactivation of 55–80% of PME with <5.0% of PME inactivation caused by the temperature increase from 20 to 90 °C. The Weibull distribution model compared to the first-order fractional, the sigmoidal logistic and the Hulsheger's kinetic models was found to better describe mathematically (R² > 0.99; A_f = 1.002–1.052) the effect of CAP processing on residual PME activity. Multi-parameter equation fits allowed the prediction of residual PME activity as a function of the applied voltage, helium flow, and treatment time. Generally, higher voltages and lower helium flows applied led to higher PME inactivation rates in fresh orange juice.     

超高压和高温短时杀菌对NFC橙汁品质的影响

本文对比了超高压（Ultral high pressure processing,HPP,600 MPa,1 min）和高温短时（High temperature short time,HTST,110℃,8.6 s）杀菌处理对非浓缩还原（Not from concentrate,NFC）橙汁处理前后及4℃、25 d贮藏期内微生物、基本理化指标以及颜色、稳定性、生物活性成分、抗氧化活性等品质的影响,并在贮藏期末对杀菌橙汁进行了感官评价。结果表明,HPP和HTST处理后NFC橙汁菌落总数、霉菌和酵母菌、乳酸菌、嗜冷菌均降低至检测限以下（<10 CFU/mL）,储藏25 d后HPP处理橙汁微生物仍未检出,符合国家果蔬汁饮料行业标准《NY/T 434-2016》,而HTST处理橙汁在贮藏期末菌落总数和霉菌酵母数量开始增加。HPP处理对橙汁色泽的L^*、b^*值无显著影响（P>0.05）,使a^*值显著增大（P<0.05）,总色差ΔE低于HTST处理。HPP处理对橙汁悬浮稳定性的保持和果胶甲基酯酶（Pectin methylesterase,PME）的钝化效果较差,处理后HPP组和HTST组PME残留活性分别为92.31%和14.42%,贮藏末期分别为30.77%和0.03%,贮藏期间HPP组悬浮稳定性下降了95.45%。HPP处理显著提高了NFC橙汁的总酚含量13.50%（P<0.05）,对维生素C含量、DPPH自由基清除能力、FRAP铁离子还原能力、综合感官评价无显著影响（P>0.05）,显著高于HTST处理橙汁（P<0.05）。综上所述,HPP处理有助于保持橙汁的营养和感官品质,保留新鲜风味,比HTST处理更具优势,但对PME酶的钝化效果有待提高。     

Characterisation of the key aroma compounds in a freshly reconstituted orange juice from concentrate

Application of an aroma extract dilution analysis on the entire volatile fraction isolated from an orange juice freshly reconstituted from concentrate revealed 40 odour-active constituents in the flavour dilution (FD) factor range of 4–2,048. Among them, ethyl butanoate and linalool showed the highest FD factor of 2,048, followed by octanal with an FD factor of 512. Thirty-six of the 40 odour-active compounds detected could be identified, all of which have previously been reported as volatile constituents of various orange juices. Quantification of 17 key odorants by stable isotope dilution assays followed by a calculation of odour activity values (OAVs) on the basis of odour thresholds in water or citrate buffer (pH 3.8), respectively, revealed the following most important odorants in the overall aroma of the freshly reconstituted juice: (R/S)-linalool, (R)-limonene and (S)-ethyl 2-methylbutanoate with the highest OAVs (>1,000) followed by octanal, (R)-α-pinene, ethyl butanoate, myrcene, acetaldehyde, decanal and (E)-β-damascenone with OAVs > 100. A model mixture containing all 14 aroma compounds with OAVs > 1 in their actual concentrations in the juice showed a good similarity with the aroma of the original orange juice under investigation, thus corroborating that the key odorants of a freshly reconstituted orange juice were characterised for the first time.     

Evaluation of nanocomposite packaging containing Ag and ZnO on shelf life of fresh orange juice

Nanocomposite LDPE films containing Ag and ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by melt mixing in a twin-screw extruder. Packages prepared from the films were then filled with fresh orange juice and stored at 4 °C. Microbial stability, ascorbic acid (AA) content, browning index, color value, and sensory attributes of them were evaluated after 7, 28, and 56 days of storage. Packages containing the nanomaterials, expect 1% nano-ZnO, kept the microbial load of fresh juice below the limit of microbial shelf life (6 log cfu/ml) up to 28 days The least degradation of AA (80.50 mg/100 g), development of brown pigments (OD = 0.23) and losing of color (∆E = 6.0) were observed in pouches containing 0.25% nano-ZnO, after the same time. Sensory attributes were also ranked highest for the juice thus packed in the recent packages after 28 days (p < 0.05). Packages containing nanosilver increased shelf life of fresh juice although part of its sensory attributes were lost.

Industrial relevance

Compared with pure packaging materials, antimicrobial nanocomposite packages containing Ag and ZnO as an alternative non-thermal technology can extend the shelf life of fresh orange juice up to 28 days. However, a certain concentration of nano-ZnO in the packages showed less adverse effects on sensory characteristics.     

A possible solution to minimise scotta as a food waste: A sports beverage

A pilot study trial was performed on ready‐to‐drink beverages produced in a small‐scale dairy plant starting from Ricotta whey (scotta) with the addition of fruit puree and starter cultures. Microbiological shelf life was evaluated at 4 and 12 °C. At 4 °C, the product showed moderate total viable counts until the end of the trial (~5 log cfu/mL). Yeasts proved to be the specific spoilage microorganisms of the product. When applying a thermal abuse at 20 °C for 6 h, total viable count did not increase. The addition of fruit puree changed the volatile profile of the beverages compared to raw scotta.     

Effects of tangential microfiltration and pasteurisation on the rheological,microbiological, physico‐chemical and sensory characteristics of sugar cane juice

The aim of this study was to determine the physico‐chemical, microbiological, rheological and sensory characteristics of sugar cane juice with passion fruit pulp (5% w/w) added and which had been submitted to microfiltration and pasteurisation (90 °C/30 s; 95 °C/30 s) processes. The results showed that the juices obtained after the microfiltration and pasteurisation processes had low microbial counts. The microfiltered juice showed a reduction in the soluble solids, acidity and vitamin C content (P = 0.05), while the pasteurised juice showed no change in these parameters (P > 0.05) in relation to the natural sugar cane juice, with the exception of vitamin C, which was not detected after the thermal treatment. In relation to the rheological properties, Newtonian behaviour was observed for both microfiltered and pasteurised juices. The sensory tests on a hedonic scale showed good acceptance of both juices (microfiltered and pasteurised).     

Assessing the acid tolerance and the technological robustness of probiotic cultures for fortification in fruit juices

The suitability of probiotic cultures as fruit juice supplements was examined by assessing their acid tolerance and technological robustness. Survival of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains in orange juice (OJ), pineapple juice (PJ) and cranberry juice (CJ) was monitored. Results revealed that extensive differences exist among probiotic strains regarding their acid resistance. All of the strains screened survived for longer in OJ and PJ compared to CJ. L. casei DN-114 001, L. rhamnosus GG and L. paracasei NFBC43338 displayed the greatest robustness surviving at levels above 10⁷ cfu ml^− 1 in OJ and above 10⁶ cfu ml^− 1 in PJ for at least 12 weeks. Probiotic tolerance to thermal and non-thermal processing was studied to determine the feasibility of their addition to OJ prior to pasteurisation. OJ fortified with probiotic cultures was subjected thermal pasteurisation at 76 °C for 30 s and 90 °C for 1 min in addition to a high pressure treatment of 400 MPa for 5 min. Results indicated no strain was capable of withstanding treatments necessary to achieve a stable juice at levels > 10⁶ cfu ml^− 1. The outcome of the overall study points to L. rhamnosus GG, L. casei DN-114 001 and L. paracasei NFBC43338 as having promising potential for exploitation as functional supplements in fruit juices due to their impressive tolerance in acidic environments; however, fortification post processing is recommended.Industrial relevanceThe ability of health-promoting cultures to survive for at least 12 weeks in orange juice and pineapple juice at commercially critical levels renders them suitable strains for exploitation. Their inclusion may enhance the market potential of these already successful beverages.     

Changes in quality attributes of pulsed light and thermally treated mixed fruit beverages during refrigerated storage (4 °C) condition

The effect of batch pulsed light (PL) irradiation (3000 J cm⁻²) on the shelf-life of the beverage blend comprising apple ber (Indian jujube), carambola (star fruit), and black table grapes was investigated. The equivalent thermally treated beverage (90 °C|5 min) exhibited greater stability from microbial and enzymatic spoilage but retained 27% less antioxidants and 14% less vitamin C than PL-treated juice. Thermally and PL-treated blends possessed sensory scores of 5.8 and 7.2, respectively. The beverage's microbial shelf-life (population ≤ 6-log₁₀ cfu/mL) was extended to 45 days at 4 °C after the PL treatment. The PL exposure did not alter the pH and soluble solids during storage. The PL-treated juice, after 45 days, was placed on par with the freshly prepared juice by the sensory panel. The PL-treated juice preserved 61% more antioxidants, 38.8% more phenolics, and 68.2% more vitamin C than the thermally pasteurized beverage after 45 days of refrigerated storage.Industrial relevanceWhile the fruit processing industry demands microbial safety and enzymatic stability, today's consumer demands juices of high nutritional quality. This study utilizes under-explored fruits like apple ber (Indian jujube) and carambola (star fruit) to make a shelf-stable mixed fruit beverage. This study will help the industry understand the potential of PL treatment in accomplishing microbial safety, enzymatic stability, and nutritional quality, along with the utilization of under-explored fruits.     

Effect of thermosonication on quality improvement of tomato juice

Inactivation of pectinmethylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) is required to minimize quality loss in tomato products. Tomato juice was subjected to thermosonication (TS) (24 kHz), at amplitudes of 25, 50 and 75 μm at 60, 65 and 70 °C or heat only treatments. The TS treatment at 60 °C, 65 °C and 70 °C for 41.8, 11.7 and 4.3 min exposure, respectively reduced PME activity by 90%. The heat only treatment at 60 °C, 65 °C and 70 °C for 90.1, 23.5 and 3.5 min, respectively inactivated PME by 90%. TS treatments with 25–75 μm amplitude had no significant impact on the inactivation efficiency between 60 and 70 °C. After TS the average particle size decreased noticeably (< 30 μm) and viscosity increased 2–4 fold, compared to the heat treated or untreated juice (180 μm)_. These results suggest that TS at 60 and 65 °C could be useful to obtain tomato juice with a low residual PME activity and high viscosity.Industrial relevanceThe processed tomato industry is constantly in search for potential alternative processes to conventional “cold break” and “hot break” treatments that could inactivate the pectic enzymes of importance. The findings of this study would help the industry to inactivate pectinmethylesterase (PME) enzyme at a lower temperature range and also achieve a higher viscosity due to the mechanical effects of thermosonication. Low temperature treatment would enable the retention of fresh-like properties of tomato juice. Based on the findings of this study, thermosonication could be considered as a potential alternative to conventional “cold break” and “hot break” treatments of tomato juice.     

Comparative study on shelf life of orange juice processed by high intensity pulsed electric fields or heat treatment

The effects of high intensity pulsed electric fields (HIPEF) processing (35 kV/cm for 1,000 μs; bipolar 4-μs pulses at 200 Hz) on the microbial shelf life and quality-related parameters of orange juice were investigated during storage at 4 and 22 °C and compared to traditional heat pasteurization (90 °C for 1 min) and an unprocessed juice. HIPEF treatment ensured the microbiological stability of orange juice stored for 56 days under refrigeration but spoilage by naturally occurring microorganisms was detected within 30 days of storage at 22 °C. Pectin methyl esterase (PME) of HIPEF-treated orange juice was inactivated by 81.6% whereas heat pasteurization achieved a 100% inactivation. Peroxidase (POD) was destroyed more efficiently with HIPEF processing (100%) than with the thermal treatment (96%). HIPEF-treated orange juice retained better color than heat-pasteurized juice throughout storage but no differences (p<0.05) were found between treatments in pH, acidity and °Brix. Vitamin C retention was outstandingly higher in orange juice processed by HIPEF fitting recommended daily intake standards throughout 56 days storage at 4 °C, whereas heat-processed juice exhibited a poor vitamin C retention beyond 14 days storage (25.2–42.8%). The antioxidant capacity of both treated and untreated orange juice decreased slightly during storage. Heat treatments resulted in lower free-radical scavenging values but no differences (p<0.05) were found between HIPEF-processed and unprocessed orange juice.     

Pressure assisted thermal pasteurization (PATP) of hypoallergenic and low protein ready-to-feed (RTF) infant formula fortified with bioactives: A novel approach

Infant Milk Formula (IMF) is an instant alternative to breastfeeding which is being investigated continuously to mimic the composition of human milk. Hypoallergenic IMF is recommended for infants who cannot tolerate cow milk due to allergy. Paediatric obesity resulted in burgeoning demand for low protein infant formula, especially in Asia. Beta-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), a major cow milk allergen to infants, is present in cow milk as 3–4 g/L, whereas, interestingly, it is absent in human milk. Besides, human milk contains Fe³⁺ binding lactoferrin (LF) and Ca²⁺ binding alpha-lactalbumin (α-Lac) about 10 and 3 times, respectively, higher than cow milk. Therefore, a mechanism to formulate a hypoallergenic IMF with low protein content could be the addition of LF and α-Lac and reducing β-Lg at the same time using an appropriate processing method. Hence, as a pragmatic approach, this study considered a pasteurized form of ready-to-feed (RTF) by applying Pressure Assisted Thermal Pasteurization (PATP) achieved from HPP of 600 MPa for 15 s applied at 57.1 °C to attain 72.3 °C after pressurization. In parallel, conventional HTST was also applied at 72 °C for both 15 and 30 s to compare PATP's effect. HTST and PATP retained >90% and > 75% LF respectively whereas PATP induced higher retention of α-Lac compared to HTST. However, HTST retained >60% β-Lg while PATP induced a high denaturation of β-Lg with 28% retention only. Moreover, both PATP and HTST induced around 5 log reduction of E. coli (ATCC 8739) in IMF. Therefore, the current investigation potentially indicates a route to develop a PATP-processed hypoallergenic and low protein RTF formula, a niche product.     

High-pressure homogenization of orange juice to inactivate pectinmethylesterase

A homogenizer was used to treat orange juice at five pressures (0–250 MPa) and three initial temperatures (22, 35 and 45 °C). A maximum of five passes for the selected conditions were used to process orange juice. Pectinmethylesterase (PME) activity, microbial load, cloudy appearance, and vitamin C were evaluated in just squeezed and homogenized orange juices. A reduction of 50.4, 49.4 and 37.8% of PME activity was observed in juice homogenized by one pass at 250 MPa at the initial temperatures of 22, 35, and 45 °C, respectively. Pectinmethylesterase activity in orange juice was reduced as passes number was increased. The final temperature of the five times homogenized orange juice was not beyond 28 and 37 °C after being treated at 100 and 250 MPa, respectively. More than 30 and 80% of enzyme activity was reduced after five passes at 100 and 250 MPa, respectively. Less that 8.7 × 10² and 1.85 × 10³ CFU/mL of mesophiles and yeasts plus molds, respectively, were counted in orange juice treated five times at 100 MPa. The cloudy appearance of the homogenized orange juice was maintained for 12 days under low temperature conditions.

Industrial relevance

“Cold pasteurization” of orange juice, using a homogenizer as a high-pressure procedure, could be an alternative to thermal processing to avoid sensory, nutritional and physiochemical changes in juice. This process may deliver a pasteurized orange juice with characteristics similar to just squeezed orange juice. In addition to reduce the microbial load, homogenization may reduce pectinmethylesterase enzyme, which may cause phase-separation in juice and consequently give an unwanted appearance that consumers dislike. Additionally, homogenized orange juice appearance could be stable during several days before being brought to the consumers' daily eating table.     

Thermosonication: a potential technique that influences the quality of grapefruit juice

Thermosonication (TS) is an emerging nonthermal processing technique used for the liquid food preservation and is employed to improve the quality and acceptability of grapefruit juice. In this study, fresh grapefruit juice samples were subjected to TS treatment in an ultrasonic cleaner with different processing variables, including temperature (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C), frequency (28 kHz), power (70%, 420 W) and processing time (30 and 60 min) for bioactive compounds, inactivation of enzymes pectin methylesterase (PME), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenolase (PPO) and micro‐organisms (total plate count, yeasts and moulds). The micro‐organism activity was completely inactivated in the treatment (60 °C for 60 min). The TS treatment at 60 °C for 60 min exposure reduced PME, PPO and POD activity by 91%, 90% and 89%, respectively. Results indicate that the advantages of TS for grapefruit juice processing at low temperature could enhance the inactivation of enzymes and micro‐organisms and it can be used as a potential technique to obtain better results as compared to alone .