Experimental Investigation on Simultaneous Dry Blanching and Drying of Mushroom Slices Using Microwave Enhanced Hot Air Heating System

The study evaluated the feasibility of using microwave enhanced hot air heating system for simultaneous dry blanching and dehydration of mushroom slices. The technology involves application of microwave energy at the beginning of dehydration process to inactivate enzymes as well as to remove a certain amount of moisture at the same time and then followed by hot air drying to complete the process. The study investigated effects of different processing parameters, i.e., microwave power level and exposure time on dehydration and quality characteristics of mushroom slices. Mushroom slices were pretreated with different microwave power levels of 240, 360 and 480 W for 1, 3 and 5 min before the hot air-drying. The optimum range of the microwave power level and pretreatment time was found to be 360 W, 3 min and 360 W, 1 min in obtaining the maximum and minimum levels of response parameters.     

Effects of blanching, drying and extraction processes on the antioxidant activity of yam (Dioscorea alata)

The effects of blanching, drying and extraction processes on the antioxidant activities of one kind of Taiwanese yam peel, Darsan (Dioscorea alata), were investigated. The antioxidant measurements included total phenolic content, reducing power and α ,α‐diphenyl‐β‐pricryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity. The 50% ethanolic, hot water and water extracts from the peel all had much higher antioxidant activities than those extracts from the flesh. Among three extraction methods, 50% ethanolic extraction resulted in the highest antioxidant activities in the peel, while hot water extraction was more appropriate for the flesh. Blanching by immersing the peel in 85 °C water for 30 s caused significant reductions in the antioxidant activities of all the extracts from the peel. Generally speaking, freeze‐dried peel maintained higher antioxidant activities than hot air‐dried peel.     

Effect of water blanching on phenolic compounds,antioxidant activities,enzyme inactivation,microbial reduction,and surface structure of samnamul (Aruncus dioicus var kamtschaticus)

Water blanching is widely used in food industry, but imprudent process causes considerable quality deterioration. To determine optimum condition, the effect of water blanching at different temperature (80, 90 and 98 °C) and time (0–10 min) on the characteristics of samnamul was investigated. Total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activities showed dramatic increase up to maximum and decreased rapidly as further blanching prolonged at all temperatures. The blanching at 98 °C for 30 s showed the highest values of them. Phenolic compounds such as shanzhiside methyl ester, isoquercetin, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside and sergeolide showed different temperature dependence. At 30 s, quercetin derivatives levels increased with increasing temperature and showed highest heat-stability. Based on our study, the blanching at high temperature of 98 °C for a short time of 30 s may be important to increase or maintain nutritional quality, while oxidative enzyme activities and the microorganism numbers decreased.     

FUNDAMENTALS OF LIQUID SPRAY TECHNIQUES

Two twin forced convection dryers of 1.5 m³ were built in Majorca (Spain). They are of a mixed kind, with solar air collectors and a green house type chamber. A wooden frame supports polycarbonate walls. After two years operation they have been proven weather resistant. Six solar air collectors 2.12 × 1.05 m were used in each dryer.

Apricots were processed in both dryers and at open sun. Three different tray heights were tested 5, 9 and 12 cm. The best results were obtained with 12 cm trays. Recycling part of the exhaust air improves the efficiency of the dryer. Blanching the fruits makes no difference to the dehydration rate. The rate of SO₂ loss during the drying process is higher within the chamber.     

超声和烫漂预处理对红薯叶热风干燥的影响

采用超声、烫漂两种方式对红薯叶进行热风干燥前的预处理,研究超声时间、超声功率、超声温度和烫漂时间、烫漂液ZnAc_2与EDTA-2Na质量比、烫漂温度对红薯叶热风干燥后叶绿素、复水性、色差、干燥特性、能耗以及微观结构的影响。结果表明:超声处理的最佳工艺为超声时间10min、超声功率300W、超声温度40℃,经超声预处理的红薯叶干燥效率较高,皱缩率低,组织结构较为完整;烫漂处理的最佳工艺为烫漂时间60s、烫漂液ZnAc_2与EDTA-2Na质量比2:1、烫漂温度80℃,经护色液烫漂处理干燥后的红薯叶复水率、叶绿素含量和色泽都稍高,质构紧密均匀,细胞开孔率高,总能耗低。     

不同蔬菜热烫对维生素C的影响

对黄瓜、菠菜、藕、蒜苔四种新鲜脆性蔬菜在不同温度、时间下进行热烫,运用2,6-二氯靛酚法测定其中的维生素C含量。结果表明:在70～100℃内,热烫温度越低,所需时间越长,而维生素C的损失越高;热烫温度升高,热烫时间缩短,维生素C损失降低;当热烫温度过高时,维生素C的损失增加。大多数蔬菜热烫的温度为90℃,时间为40～60s时,维生素C的保存率最高。     

前处理方式对预腌萝卜果胶酶活性和脆度的影响

以白萝卜为材料,研究了热风干燥、热烫和高盐预腌渍等泡菜常用的前处理方式对其果胶酶活性的影响,同时观察原料脆度变化。实验表明,在模拟秋季室外晾晒条件即30℃热风干燥条件下,萝卜果胶酶活性先升高后降低,同时萝卜脆度也有不同程度下降,跟失水量密切相关,萝卜最佳失水量为35%,此时脆度下降约45%,果胶酶活性降低约20%;在热烫条件下,温度越高,萝卜果胶酶活性降低越快,最佳热烫条件为60℃、10min,此时原料脆度降低15%,果胶酶活性降低约27%;盐浓度对果胶酶活性的影响有显著影响,在低浓度盐条件下(NaCl<4%),盐腌渍对酶活有促进作用,在高浓度盐条件下(NaCl>6%),盐腌渍对果胶酶酶活有显著抑制作用。综合考虑前处理方式对萝卜原料果胶酶活性的抑制和脆度的影响,高盐预腌渍效果更好。     

EFFECT OF PRETREATMENT ON COLOR OF DEHYDRATED PRODUCTS

The effect of pretreatment on color of convective dried products (namely apple, banana, potato and carrot) was investigated. Five different types of pretreatment were taken into consideration; microwave, osmotic, sulfite, water blanching and steam blanching. Color characteristics were identified by measuring the color parameters (namely, Lightness (L), Redness (a) and Yellowness (b)) using a Hunter Lab chromatometer. The type of pretreatment was found to significantly affect the three color parameters. In addition, Redness (a) and Yellowness (b) were found to follow a first order kinetic model. Untreated dried materials showed an extensive browning, indicated by a significant drop of the L parameter and a corresponding increase of a, b parameters. Osmotically and microwave pretreated samples supressed browning compared to the untreated samples. In this case, lightness decreased slightly, while a, b increased slightly. Sulfite pretreatment prevented significantly color deterioration, while water and steam blanching also prevented enzymatic browning during convective drying.     

Effect of industrial processing on the mineral content of white asparagus

Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus were determined in white asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis , L.) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry to investigate and estimate if the influence of industrial processing on mineral content and mineral nutritional value of different varieties, diameters and portions of white asparagus spears. Four-factor anova (processing, variety, diameter and portion) and a Scheffè test ( P < 0.05) established statistically significant differences and different homogeneous groups for the four factors. All the elements studied showed significant ( P < 0.001) changes in their levels throughout the processing stages with a decrease of the calcium and sodium content and an increase in magnesium, potassium and phosphorus concentrations. These variations are especially related to peeling since the loss of the spear peel may produce changes in the mineral content. Concentrations of the majority of the mineral elements analysed were higher in the SUR variety asparagus, the largest diameter spear (14–19 and > 19 mm) and the tip and middle portions of the spear. Nutrient density was well over 100% for all the elements, except for sodium, and the processing has no consequences for the mineral nutritional value .