NONENZYMATIC BROWNING IN CLARIFIED APPLE JUICE AT HIGH TEMPERATURES: A RESPONSE SURFACE ANALYSIS

The effect of temperature and soluble solids on nonenzymatic browning in clarified and concentrated apple juice was analyzed by response surface methodology. Color development at 20, 40 and 60 Brix and temperatures ranging from 70–90C were compared over a time range of 30–180 min. the browning reaction was found to be dependent on soluble solid content as well as on the reaction conditions such as temperature and time. the model combines the effect of temperature, soluble solids content and time on color change due to nonenzymatic browning.     

CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE AND EDIBLE COATING EFFECTS ON STORAGE LIFE AND QUALITY OF TOMATOES

Tomatoes at pink stage maturities were coated with Semperfresh^TM edible fruit coating which is composed of sucrose esters of fatty acids, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and mono-diglycerides of fatty acids. One group of coated and uncoated tomatoes were stored at 23 × 2C under air atmosphere, another group was stored at 12C under air atmosphere and third group was stored at 12C, 93–95% RH in a controlled atmosphere (CA) containing 3% CO₂, 3% O₂ and 94% N₂. Samples of tomatoes were analyzed for firmness, weight loss, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids, sugars, ascorbic acid and lycopene to examine changes in quality during storage. Semperfresh^TM edible fruit coating was found to be significantly effective at both storage temperatures (23 × 2C and 12C) in air to delay changes in firmness, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids, sugars, ascorbic acid and lycopene. Semperfresh^TM fruit coating reduced fruit weight loss as compared to fruit without coating but the difference between coated and uncoated tomatoes was not significant. Shelf-life of pink tomatoes was increased 3 days at 23 × 2C and 6 days at 12C in air by coating. CA storage delayed compositional changes in tomatoes significantly as compared to air storage of coated and uncoated tomatoes. CA storage also had a significant potential for reducing weight loss and microbial spoilage. Tomatoes were stored 40 days in CA. Coated and uncoated tomatoes exhibited the same results in CA.     

Modeling of Apple Juice Filtrations

In cake filtration of apple juice, usage of filter aid increased filtration rates. Precoating the filter medium with diatomaceous earth increased filter medium resistance, but cloudy juice was produced in its absence. There was an inverse relation between filtration rates and resistances. Although these were expected results, they did not agree with most of the present filtration theories. De La Garza and Boulton's “exponential model” of wine filtrations simulated the data satisfactorily. Our results show that the common filtration theories, adapted from the other disciplines, may not be appropriate for food engineering analysis.     

EFFECTS of SEMPERFRESH and JONFRESH FRUIT COATINGS ON POSTSTORAGE QUALITY of "SATSUMA" MANDARINS

Mandarins were coated with Semperfresh^TM and Jonfresh^TM edible coatings. the weight gain of mandarins after application of Jonfresh and Semperfresh coatings was 0.8% and 0.6% respectively. Weight loss, respiration rate, ascorbic acid, soluble solids (brix) and acidity changes of coated mandarins were compared with uncoated mandarins during storage at 20C and 40% RH for 4 weeks. Semperfresh^TM and Jonfresh^TM coatings delayed the ripening of mandarins. Both of the coatings were effective to reduce the change of ascorbic acid, soluble solids, titratable acidity and respiration rate. But Jonfresh^TM was determined to be most efficient coating for reduction of weight loss.     

Modeling of Sequential Batch Ultrafiltration of Red Beet Extract

Sequential batch ultrafiltration of red beet extract was studied by employing membranes of decreasing molecular weight cut-off in sequence. A mathematical model was developed after considering the series of resistances of the polarized layer and the membrane, but not polymer solution interaction. Experimental data indicated that Sperry's type of expression which has been used to describe wine filtration was also valid for ultrafiltration. The data also revealed that in a special case of operation, when polarized layer resistance is considerably smaller than that of the membrane, the model reduces to a Darcy's law type of expression which is widely used in ultrafiltration.     

The role of HBD-2, HBD-3, and calprotectin in the relationship between chronic periodontitis and atherosclerosis

This study was carried out to compare individuals diagnosed with atherosclerosis and periodontal periodontitis based on the degree of change in the human beta-defensins (HBD) HBD-2, HBD-3, and calprotectin. Atherosclerosis is the most frequently observed cardiovascular disease. Dental and periodontal infections are known to provide a considerable basis for atheroma plaque formation. The study group consists of a total number of 40 subjects, with 20 patients diagnosed with atherosclerosis and chronic periodontitis and 20 systemically healthy patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. Clinical periodontal and blood parameters and HBD-2, HBD-3, and calprotectin biomarkers in the gingival crevicular fluid were measured. In both groups, following clinical periodontal treatment, a statistically significant decrease in white blood cells (WBC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), fibrinogen, creatinine, and platelets (PLT), a statistically significant increase in high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in blood samples, statistically meaningful decrease in HBD-2, HBD-3, and calprotectin in the gingival crevicular fluid were achieved. Blood values and HBD-2, HBD-3, calprotectin amounts in the gingival crevicular fluid were increased significantly in the test group compared to the control group. A positive correlation was observed between decreases in HBD-2, HBD-3, calprotectin, and clinical periodontal indices. Regression in systemic inflammation was observed after clinical periodontal treatment. It is concluded that nonsurgical periodontal treatment of chronic periodontitis positively affects atherosclerosis prognosis.