Kinetics of ultraviolet light inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in liquid foods

The effects of pH, depth of food medium and ultraviolet (UV) light dose on the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in UV‐opaque products such as apple juice (pH 3.5) and egg white (pH 9.1) were investigated. The applied UV dose ranged from 0 to 6.5 mW min cm^?2, while the depths of the medium were 1, 3.5, 5 and 10 mm. The pH of the medium did not affect the inactivation of E coli O157:H7, since similar inactivation characteristics were obtained for both apple juice and liquid egg white. As expected, decreasing the depth of the medium increased the inactivation of E coli O157:H7. More than a 5‐log reduction was obtained when the fluid depth and UV dose were 1 mm and 6.5 mW min cm^?2 respectively. However, less than a 1‐log reduction was obtained when the fluid depth was 10 mm. A two‐phase kinetic model was used to model the inactivation of E coli O157:H7. This model indicated that at higher fluid depths the inactivation rate was controlled by the second, slower inactivation phase, resulting in a lower overall inactivation. The visual appearance of the treated apple juice and egg white did not show any discolouration changes during 4 weeks of storage at ambient temperature (25 °C). Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Rheological properties of batter systems containing different combinations of flours and hydrocolloids

The rheological properties of batters formulated using different combinations of wheat, corn, and rice flours with two types of hydrocolloids, namely methylcellulose (0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) or xanthan gum (0.2%), were studied. Control samples were formulated with combinations of flours without the added hydrocolloids. The effects of hydrocolloids on rheological characteristics of the batter systems were measured using a controlled stress rheometer at a temperature of 15 °C. The effects of hydrocolloids on dynamic viscoelastic parameters as functions of temperatures were evaluated. All the batters showed shear thinning behaviour with flow behaviour indices in the range 0.34–0.67. Addition of xanthan gum lowered the flow index values, imparting a higher degree of pseudoplasticity to the batter samples compared to methylcellulose. The consistency index of the control batter samples varied from 0.46 to 69.2 Pa sⁿ. Addition of xanthan gum or methylcellulose significantly increased the batter consistency index value. The gums changed the onset temperature of structure development, and the storage (G′_max) and loss moduli (G″_max) of the batter systems. However, no statistically significant effects were observed on the peak temperature of batter systems in which the G′ reached a maximum value. Xanthan gum increased both G′_max and G″_max, whereas at higher concentrations methylcellulose increased G′_max but lowered G″_max. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Simultaneous Aerodynamic and Thermal Analysis during Cooling of Stacked Spheres inside Ventilated Packages

Aerodynamic and thermal analysis during forced convection cooling of produce was conducted by modeling coupled airflow and heat transfer. Air velocities and heterogeneity indexes were predicted for different configurations of package openings at an airflow rate of 0.022 m³/s. Predicted temperature profiles were compared with experimental data for model validation. Good agreement between model prediction and measured data was obtained. The results showed that airflow distribution during the process was not homogeneous. More uniform airflow distribution was obtained by increasing the vent area from 2.4 to 12.1 %. The highest cooling heterogeneity index (108 %) was recorded at 2.4 % vent area whereas the lowest heterogeneity index (0 %) was detected in a package with 12.1 % vent area. Proper package vent design is necessary to provide more uniform cooling operation during the forced convection cooling process.     

Influence of pulsed electric field energy on the damage degree in alfalfa tissue

The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of pulsed electric field (PEF) parameters on the damage degree of alfalfa mash, and to determine the relationship between the maximum damage degree and the energy used. Alfalfa mash was treated with PEF at various electric field strengths of 1.25, 1.90, and 2.50 kV/cm. The capacitance of the discharge capacitor was varied from 0.5 to 1.5 μF in steps of 0.5 μF. The pulse number was increased gradually to the point where the impedance became constant. There was no significant increase in the rate of damage beyond 0.5 kJ applied energy. The rate of change of the damage degree at 0.5 kJ was highest when the capacitance was 1.5 μF for all the voltages. Increase in the electric field strength led to decrease in energy needed to obtain the maximum damage degree. To achieve an efficient result for alfalfa juice extraction, the capacitance of the discharge capacitor should preferably be 1 μF or more. In order to minimize energy consumption for a given damage degree in alfalfa, it is desirable to have the highest energy per pulse and fewer number of pulses.     

Quality changes in mixtures of hydrogenated and non‐hydrogenated oils during frying

BACKGROUND: There is a need for frying oils with reduced trans fatty acid content and increased oxidative stability. This study was conducted to measure and compare frying oil quality parameters, namely colour, viscosity, free fatty acid (FFA) content and dielectric property, and to investigate changes in properties of mixtures of fully hydrogenated and non‐hydrogenated canola oils during deep‐fat frying of chicken nuggets. Proportions of hydrogenated oil to non‐hydrogenated oil used in the study were 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%. Chicken nuggets were fried at 190 °C. The relationships among quality parameters, frying time and oil type were investigated. RESULTS: Frying time and oil type had significant effects on all properties. First‐order kinetic equations were used to represent changes in colour, viscosity and FFA content. The rates of change of viscosity and FFA content were higher in non‐hydrogenated oil, whereas the rates of change of colour were similar in the different oils. Increasing the level of hydrogenated oil in the mixture resulted in only slight changes in quality parameters. CONCLUSION: Quality parameters, namely colour, viscosity, FFA content and dielectric property, of frying oil are significantly affected by frying time and hydrogenation level. Frying oil quality and stability can be adjusted by mixing hydrogenated and non‐hydrogenated oils. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Combined ultrasound and infrared assisted conductive hydro-drying of apple slices

Abstract

Conductive hydro-drying also known as Refractance Window drying is a relatively new drying technology, which uses hot water to carry thermal energy to materials to be dehydrated. It has a high retention of heat sensitive quality parameters (vitamins, antioxidants, and color) with better energy efficiency than freeze-drying as well as many other conventional drying methods. A new ultrasound and infrared assisted conductive hydro-dryer (UIACHD) was developed to increase drying rate while reducing required hot water temperature and increasing the drying material thickness. The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of the new dryer and to compare the performance of a pilot scale continuous UIACHD with a freeze-dryer and a cabinet dryer in drying apple slices. The physiochemical characteristics of the dried apple slices including flavonoid content, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, vitamin C content and color were measured. In addition, the energy consumption and energy efficiency of the dying methods were evaluated. Results showed that combining ultrasound and infrared with conductive hydro-drying can result in higher drying rates and lower product moisture content. Quality of UIACHD dried apple slices was close to the freeze-dried products and it was significantly better than the cabinet dried products. Moreover, the energy efficiency of UIACHD was considerably better than the cabinet dryer and the freeze-dryer. The results of this study showed that combining ultrasound and infrared with conductive hydro-drying can lead to an energy-efficient process with good quality retention ability.     

Deterioration Kinetics of Crude Palm Oil,Canola Oil and Blend During Repeated Deep-Fat Frying

The oxidation of vegetable oils is generally treated as an apparent first order kinetic reaction. This study investigated the deterioration of crude palm oil (CPO), refined canola oil (RCO) and their blend (CPO:RCO 1:1 w/w) during 20 h of successive deep‐fat frying at 170, 180 and 190 °C. Kinetics of changes in oil quality indices, namely, free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value (PV), anisidine value (p‐AV), total polar compounds (TPC) and color index (CI) were monitored. The results showed that FFA and PV accumulation followed the kinetic first order model, while p‐AV, TPC and CI followed the kinetic zero order model. The concentration and deterioration rate constants k, increased with increasing temperatures. This effect of temperature was modeled by the Arrhenius equation. The results showed that PV had the least activation energies E_a (kJ/mol) values of 5.4 ± 1 (RCO), 6.6 ± 0.7 (CPO) and 11.4 ± 1 (blend). The highest E_a requirement was exhibited by FFA with a range of 31.7 ± 3–76.5 ± 7 kJ/mol for the three oils. The overall E_a values showed that the stability of the blend was superior and not just intermediate of CPO and RCO. The correlation of the other oil quality indices with TPC indicated a positive linear correlation. The p‐AV displayed the strongest correlation, with mean correlation coefficient r_s of 0.998 ± 0.00, 0.994 ± 0.00 and 0.999 ± 0.00 for CPO, RCO and blend, respectively.     

Synthesis of activated carbon from spent tea leaves for aspirin removal

Adsorption capacity of activated carbon prepared from spent tea leaves(STL-AC) for the removal of aspirin from aqueous solution was investigated in this study. Preliminary studies have shown that treatment with phosphoric acid(H_3PO_4) increased removal efficiency of STL-AC. Characterizations on STL-AC revealed excellent textural properties(1200 m~2·g~(-1), 51% mesoporosity), as well as distinctive surface chemistry(1.08 mmol·g~(-1) and 0.54 mmol·g~(-1) for acidic and basic oxygenated groups, pH_(pzc)= 2.02). Maximum removal efficiency of aspirin observed was 94.28% after 60 min when the initial concentration was 100 mg·L~(-1), 0.5 g of adsorbent used,pH 3 and at a temperature of 30 ℃. The adsorption data were well fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model and obeyed the pseudo-second order kinetics model. The adsorption of aspirin onto STL-AC was exothermic in nature(ΔH~Θ=~(-1)3.808 k J·mol~(-1)) and had a negative entropy change, ΔS~Θ(-41.444 J·mol~(-1)). A negative Gibbs free energy, ΔG~Θ was obtained indicating feasibility and spontaneity of the adsorption process. The adsorption capacity of AC-STL(178.57 mg·g~(-1)) is considerably high compared to most adsorbents synthesized from various sources, due to the well-defined textural properties coupled with surface chemistry of STL-AC which favors aspirin adsorption. The results demonstrate the potential of STL-AC as aspirin adsorbent.     

The influence of batter formulation and predrying time on interparticle space fractions of a coated meat analog

The purpose of the study was to understand the mechanism of microstructural changes in vegetable‐based meat analogs coated with different batter formulations. A meat analog (substrate) was developed by using vegetable proteins, coated with batters formulated from different combinations of wheat and rice flours, predried at various durations, and subsequently fried. The effect of batter formulation, predrying time, and frying time on spaces occupied by air (porosity, SOA), moisture (SOM), and fat (SOF) in the core region (the meat analog) was studied. The SOA, SOM, and SOF ranged between 8.28–32.72%, 16.73–58.31%, and 16.73–58.31%, respectively. All three fractions of pores in the meat analog were significantly influenced by predrying and frying times; however, batter formulation did not show any significant influence. Batter formulation did not show any significant influence on moisture and fat content within the meat analog. Fat content was not influenced by frying time; and only 90 min predrying made a difference.     

Wall thickness distribution in plug-assist vacuum formed strawberry containers

An experimental study on the influence of processing parameters namely film temperature, plug velocity, and temperature on wall thickness distribution in plug-assist vacuum thermoformed fresh strawberry container using high-impact polystyrene is presented. Film temperatures of 118, 125, 136, 150, and 165°C, plug velocities of 0.15, 0.20, and 0.27 m/s, and plug temperatures of 25, 60, 100, 123, and 135°C were used in the thermoforming. Increasing the plug velocity resulted in improved wall thickness distribution due to elastic deformation of the plastic sheet during thermoforming. Decreasing the stretching time and the temperature difference between the plastic film and plug was important for good wall thickness distribution. Better wall thickness was obtained at the plug velocity of 0.27 m/s and the plug temperature of 123°C.