COLOR LOSS IN PAPRIKA FROM VARIETY NUMEX CONQUISTADOR PEPPERS GROWN IN FIELD AND GREENHOUSE

We studied the color and its loss kinetic in paprikas made from the pepper variety NuMex Conquistador, grown in the field and in a greenhouse, during storage in darkness in different humidity and temperature conditions. The experimental data are fitted to a first order kinetic. For each of the storage conditions the velocity constants of color loss (γ) and the half lives (t_1/2 and t_{1/2, exp}) were obtained. As expected, color loss was more rapid as storage temperatures rose although it slowed down as the relative ambiental humidity of storage increased. It was also observed that greenhouse cultivated plants produced a more deeply colored paprika although the loss in color was also greater.     

Intermittent and Continuous Microwave-Convective Air-Drying Characteristics of Sage (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvia officinalis</Emphasis>) Leaves

The effect of microwave-convective air-drying (continuous and intermittent) and convective air-drying of sage (Salvia officinalis) on color and essential oil content were studied. For microwave-convective air-drying, four pulse ratio levels (PR1, PR2, PR3, and PR4) at 25 °C drying air temperature were used and the average drying rates were 0.404, 0.158, 0.114, and 0.085 kg H₂O kg^?1 DM min^?1 for PR1, PR2, PR3, and PR4, respectively. For convective air-drying, two drying temperatures of 40 and 50 °C were examined and the average drying rates were 0.005 and 0.006 kg H₂O kg^?1 DM min^?1 for 40 and 50 °C, respectively. The experimental data were fitted to 11 different moisture ratio models to describe the drying kinetics under various drying conditions. Page model was found satisfactory to describe the drying curves of sage leaves. Comparing with the fresh sage, lightness (L*), greenness, and yellowness decreased for all drying applications. Lightness, greenness, and yellowness of the convective air-dried sage leaves were higher than those of microwave-convective air-dried sage leaves. The deviation from fresh product color (ΔE*) increased as the pulse ratio or the drying air temperature increased. The total quantity of essential oils of sage decreased considerably during microwave-convective air-drying whereas the loss of essential oils was limited during air-drying.     

Color Degradation Kinetics of Spinach, Mustard Leaves, and Mixed Puree

ABSTRACT: The kinetics of color degradation of spinach, mustard leaves, and mixed (mustard:spinach:fenugreek = 1:0.75:0.25) puree were investigated at temperatures between 75 and 115 °C. Color degradation was studied in respect to both visual green color (Hunter -a value) and total color [L × (-a) × b]. Degradation of color followed 1st-order reaction kinetics. Temperature dependence of the degradation rate constant obeyed the Arrhenius relationship with activation energies ranging between 19.71 and 41.64 kJ/mol. Higher activation energy value indicated greater temperature sensitivity of mustard leaves than spinach and mixed puree. Activation energies for visual green color were consistently higher than that for total color. Visual green color could therefore be used for on-line quality control of spinach, mustard leaves, and mixed puree during thermal processing.     

Kinetics of Quality Changes of Shrimp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Litopenaeus setiferus</Emphasis>) During Pasteurization

Effect of cooking between 1 and 80 min at 60 to 100 °C on several quality attributes of whole peeled shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) (80–90 counts/kg) was studied using an isothermal heating method. Cook loss, area shrinkage, and hardness of shrimp increased with increasing heating time and temperature, following a fractional first-order kinetic model with activation energies (E _a ) of 71.0, 53.3, and 29.9 kJ/mol, respectively. Cook loss, area shrinkage, and hardness were positively correlated. The toughness of shrimp muscle increased in the initial period of heating, then decreased in the later period during the treatments. The overall color change (ΔE) increased with increasing treatment time and temperature, and followed a zero kinetic model with an E _a of 37.2 kJ/mol. The kinetic parameters obtained from this study can be applied toward understanding and predicting shrimp-quality changes during pasteurization treatments, and further provides insight into the pasteurization conditions required to achieve safe and high-quality shrimp products and potentially other crustacean shellfish and seafood products.     

超高压对菠菜浆贮藏期间颜色变化的影响

为探究超高压技术（HHP）处理菠菜浆的颜色品质在不同贮藏条件下的变化规律,对HHP处理样品的CIEL’a’6’颜色进行测定。结果表明,HHP处理菠菜浆在处理后和贮藏期与传统热处理菠菜浆相比其颜色品质更好。在4~C下进行贮藏,HHP处理样品的一a‘值和h。值均显著高于热处理样品,并且在贮藏期阀基本保持不变;￡_’值在HHP处理后显著增加,在贮藏过程中亦基本保持不变,色泽更为明亮。在27。C下进行贮藏,HHP处理样品的一a’值和h。值均显著高于热处理和未处理样品,并在贮藏期间呈下降趋势;上’值在贮藏过程中呈现曲折上升的趋势。因此,HHP处理菠菜浆的表观绿色在冷藏和室温贮藏条件下均要好于传统热处理。HHP处理可以在一定程度上保持绿色菠菜浆的颜色品质,减缓其颜色品质的劣变。     

Pressure-Temperature Degradation of Green Color in Broccoli Juice

Broccoli juice greenness was marginally affected by pressure at low temperatures (30-40°C). At 800 MPa and slightly higher temperatures (50-60°C), first-order degradation of green color was observed. The greenness loss was suggested to be due to chlorophyll-pheophytin conversion with no further pheophytin degradation. Pheophytin degraded further when higher temperatures (≥70°C) were combined with elevated (or atmospheric) pressures (0.1–850 MPa). At these conditions greenness loss could be modeled by two consecutive first-order degradation steps. Temperature dependency of the rate constants for both degradation steps could be described by the Arrhenius equation with activation energies increasing with pressure. However, their pressure dependency could not satisfactorily be described by the Eyring equation.     

A novel approach for color degradation kinetics of paprika as a function of water activity

The influence of temperature and water activity on color degradation in paprika powders was investigated. The Hunter color parameters (L, a, b), hue angle (h), and total color difference (TCD) were used to estimate the color changes of paprika during thermal treatment at different temperatures (60, 80 and 99 °C) and water activities (0.459, 0.582 and 0.703). The changes in L, a, b and TCD values were significantly influenced by the processing time, temperature and water activity. The color changes during processing and storage were described by a first order kinetic model. The temperature dependence of the degradation followed the Arrhenius relation. Samples with a high water activity exhibited a high rate constant of the color degradation. The effect of water activity on activation energy was not significant. A linear relationship between the water activity and rate constant of the color parameters was found. By incorporating the linear relationship k_refa_w into the Arrhenius equation, a modified Arrhenius equation was proposed which was used to predict paprika color changes as influenced by temperature and water activity.     

Degradation Kinetics of Green Color and Chlorophylls in Peas by Colorimetry and HPLC

The kinetics of chlorophyll degradation and visual green color loss in pureed green peas with 80% moisture (w/w) were determined at 70, 80 and 90 C. The –a value from a tristimulus colorimeter was chosen as the physical property and a technique based on fractional conversion was developed in the determination of kinetic parameters of visual green color loss. The degradation of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and greenness followed a first order reaction and the temperature dependence of these reactions indicated an Arrhenius relationship. The activation energies were 19.5, 17.1 and 18.2 kcal/mol, respectively.     

Kinetics of colour,chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid content in spinach baked in different types of oven

Spinach was baked in steam-assisted hybrid ovens, natural and forced convection ovens, and saturated steam ovens at different temperatures and baking times. The moisture content, water activity, peroxidise activity, colour, ascorbic acid, and chlorophyll content were determined for each baking time and kinetic analysis of thermal degradation of the colour, chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid were evaluated. Degradation of green colour, total chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid in spinach leaves during the baking process was considered as first order reaction kinetics and temperature dependency of degradation was described by the Arrhenius equation. Baking in steam-assisted hybrid ovens resulted in the highest rate of reaction for both colour change and chlorophyll degradation, followed by forced convection and then natural convection ovens. The existence of steam in the baking chamber resulted in an acceleration of the baking process and better ascorbic acid retention in spinach was determined by baking in steam-assisted hybrid ovens. Degradation kinetics could allow definition of optimum baking temperatures and times in different types of ovens and shorter baking times should be preferred in steam-assisted hybrid ovens if fresh appearance (high greenness) is desired.     

Effect of UV‐C radiation on quality of minimally processed spinach leaves

BACKGROUND: The fresh‐cut vegetable industry commonly uses sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for disinfection. However, certain problems with NaOCl usage have led to the investigation of alternative sanitisation treatments. In this respect, UV‐C radiation could be of interest. RESULTS: The effect of four pre‐packaging UV‐C radiation doses (0, 4.54, 7.94 and 11.35 kJ m^?2) and two storage temperatures (5 and 8 °C) on the quality of minimally processed spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves was studied over a period of 13 days. UV‐C radiation decreased mesophilic and psychrophilic counts just after its application compared with conventional sanitisation washing (150 mg L^?1 NaOCl). However, UV‐C had no residual effect on microbial growth from 6 to 13 days at 5 and 8 °C. During shelf‐life a slight loss of lightness was found, probably related to superficial tissue damage induced particularly in higher‐UV‐C treated leaves. Total antioxidant activity and polyphenol content decreased gradually throughout storage, being more evident in higher‐UV‐C treated leaves stored at 8 °C. The general trend was to maintain the initial chlorophyll content during shelf‐life. CONCLUSION: Low to moderate UV‐C radiation can be an effective alternative to chlorine for sanitising minimally processed spinach leaves and preserving their quality. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Color Kinetics During Ripening of Indian Mangoes

During ripening of mangoes, color change kinetics were studied with Alphonso, Banganapalli, and Neelam varieties. The internal and external color change was recorded using CIE-Lab color coordinates. L, a, b, and total color difference (ΔE) values were measured for internal pulp and external peel during the ripening period. Four kinetic models viz. zero order, first order, fractional conversion, and logistic models were used for modeling using MATLAB. Among the explored models, the logistic model was found to be more suitable to predict the changes in all external color coordinates in all the three varieties. Internal color coordinates of different varieties were exhibited contrasting behavior. So different kinetic models were proposed to predict the internal color change for different variety. The fractional conversion model was found to be not suitable in color change kinetics during ripening of mango.     

Ohmic heating of peaches in the wide range of frequencies (50 Hz to 1 MHz)

Abstract: The ohmic heating (OH) rate of peaches was studied at fixed electric field strength of 60 V.cm⁻¹, square-shaped instant reversal bipolar pulses, and frequencies varying within 50 Hz to 1 MHz. Thermal damage of tissue was evaluated from electrical admittivity. It showed that the time for half disruption (τ_T) of tissue was required more than 10 h at temperatures below 40 °C. However, cellular thermal disruption occurred almost instantly (τ_T < 1 s) at high temperatures (> 90 °C). Electrical conductivity σ_o and admittivity σ_o* of tissue at T_o= 0 °C and their temperature coefficients (m, m*) were calculated. For freeze–thawed tissues, σ and σ* as well as m and m* were nearly indifferent to the frequency. However, for the intact tissue, both σ_o, σ_o* and m, m* were frequency dependent. For freeze–thawed product, the power factor (P) was approximately equal to 1 and indifferent to the frequency and temperature. On the other hand, strong frequency dependence was observed for intact tissue with the minimum P approximately equal to 0.68 in the range of tens of kHz. The time required to reach a target temperature t_f was evaluated. The t_f increased with frequency up to the middle of the range of tens of kHz and thereafter continuously decreased. Samples exposed to the low-frequency electric field demonstrated faster electro-thermal damage rates. The textural relaxation data supported more intense damage kinetics at low-frequency OH. It has been demonstrated that a combination of high-frequency OH with pasteurization at moderate temperature followed by rapid cooling minimizes texture degradation of peach tissue. Practical Application: In this study, we investigated the electric field frequency effect on the rate of OH of peaches. It was shown that the time required for reaching the target temperature is strongly dependent upon the frequency. Samples exposed to low-frequency OH demonstrated higher electro-thermal damage rates. It has been shown that the combination of high-frequency OH with pasteurization at moderate temperature followed by rapid cooling minimizes texture degradation of peach tissue. Obtained results provide new information on the impact of electric field frequency on OH, which is useful for OH process design.     

INACTIVATION KINETICS OF SALMONELLA DUBLIN BY PULSED ELECTRIC FIELD

Microbial inactivation kinetic models are needed to predict treatment dosage in food pasteurization processes. In this study, we determined inactivation kinetic models of Salmonella dublin in skim milk with a co-field flow high voltage pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment system. Electric field strength of 15–40 kV/cm, treatment time of 12–127 μs, medium temperatures of 10–50C were tested. A new inactivation kinetic model that combines the effect of treatment time to electric field strength or medium temperature was developed.     

Texture,composition and anatomy of spinach leaves in relation to nitrogen fertilization

BACKGROUND: The postharvest quality and shelf life of spinach are greatly influenced by cultural practices. Reduced spinach shelf life is a common quandary in the Salinas Valley, California, where current agronomic practices depend on high nitrogen (N) rates. This study aimed to describe the postharvest fracture properties of spinach leaves in relation to N fertilization, leaf age and spinach cultivar. RESULTS: Force–displacement curves, generated by a puncture test, showed a negative correlation between N fertilization and the toughness, stiffness and strength of spinach leaves (P > 0.05). Younger leaves (leaves 12 and 16) from all N treatments were tougher than older leaves (leaves 6 and 8) (P > 0.05). Leaves from the 50 and 75 ppm total N treatments irrespective of spinach cultivar had higher fracture properties and nutritional quality than leaves from other N treatments (P > 0.05). Total alcohol‐insoluble residues (AIR) and pectins were present at higher concentrations in low‐N grown plants. These plants also had smaller cells and intercellular spaces than high‐N grown leaves (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Observed changes in physicochemical and mechanical properties of spinach leaves due to excess nitrogen fertilization were significantly associated with greater postharvest leaf fragility and lower nutritional quality. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Quality changes during storage of sous vide cooked green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

 The acceptability and quality of sous vide cooked green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were investigated during chilled storage. A suitable heating procedure was established whereby 2.0-kg packages were heat processed at 90°C for 25 min, corresponding to an average pasteurization value, PV_70,10, of 14 min. During storage for up to 25 days at 3°C drip loss, pH, colour (Minolta L ^* a ^* b ^*), texture (Instron) and microbiological stability were examined and sensory characteristics evaluated by a trained sensory panel. No marked changes in texture, drip loss, pH or microbiological counts were observed but a change of colour from green to olive green was observed by both objective and sensory analyses. This detrimental change in colour, which had begun during the first week, was the limiting factor for shelf-life during storage. Subsequent reheating, however, resulted in further colour changes which partially obscured the initial differences observed during the storage period. Storage for more than 1 week resulted in undesirable quality changes in the odour and flavour of the green beans. Therefore, a maximum shelf-life of 8 days at 3°C was recommended. Inoculation trials showed that psychrotrophic Bacillus cereus were able to germinate and grow to levels of 10⁷ g^–1 in the packages at abuse temperatures (7°C and 17°C), whereafter numbers declined. Received: 21 April 1997     

超声波和巴氏杀菌后樱桃番茄汁的品质变化动力学

以鲜榨樱桃番茄汁为原料,研究其分别经巴氏杀菌（85 ℃、15 min）和超声波杀菌（200 W、40 ℃、30 min）后的品质动力学变化。杀菌后的樱桃番茄汁分别贮藏在不同温度条件下（0、4、10、15、20 ℃）,每隔一定时间测定其色泽、VC含量和菌落总数。结果表明：2 种杀菌方式后樱桃番茄汁的色泽随着贮藏时间的延长和贮藏温度的升高变化越明显;以VC含量变化为指标,在0～10 ℃条件下,超声波杀菌比巴氏杀菌的货架期延长了3.8～4 d;以菌落总数为评价指标,2 种杀菌方式的货架期差异不显著,菌落总数的变化符合一级反应模型,该模型可准确预测0～20 ℃各贮藏温度条件下的货架期。鲜榨樱桃番茄汁在0～10 ℃条件下贮藏,经超声波杀菌推荐货架期为6～9 d,经巴氏杀菌推荐货架期为6～8 d。     

Retention of Folate, Carotenoids, and Other Quality Characteristics in Commercially Packaged Fresh Spinach

ABSTRACT: The effect of storage temperature (4 °C, 10 °C, and 20 °C) on retention of folate, carotenoids, and other quality characteristics in commercially packaged fresh spinach were determined. Based on visual color and appearance, spinach was unacceptable after 8 d, 6 d, and 4 d at 4 °C, 10 °C, and 20 °C, respectively. Color differences (AE), chlorophyll degradation, fresh weight loss, and microbial populations increased at all storage temperatures and occurred more rapidly at higher temperatures. Peroxidase activity increased but was not significantly ( P > 0.05) affected by storage temperature. Lipoxygenase activity was unaffected by storage time or temperature. Substantial losses of nutrients occurred at each storage temperature. Only 53% of folate in packaged spinach was retained after 8 d, 6 d, and 4 d at 4 °C, 10 °C, and 20 °C, respectively. Carotenoid losses increased with temperature with only 54%, 61%, and 44%, respectively, of initial detected levels remaining. Vitamin and quality changes were unaffected by presence or absence of packaging.     

Growth and predictive model of Bacillus cereus on blanched spinach with or without seasoning at various temperatures

The growth of Bacillus cereus on blanched spinach with or without seasoning at various temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C) was investigated. The number of B. cereus on blanched spinach stored at 35°C was significantly increased and resulted in maximum populations (7.8 log CFU/g) after 10 h. However, the growth rate of B. cereus on blanched spinach with seasoning stored at 35oC was lower than on blanched spinach without seasoning. The growth rate (GR) of B. cereus on blanched spinach stored at 15°C was lower than the other temperatures. The lag time (LT) of B. cereus on blanched spinach with seasoning was longer than blanched spinach without seasoning. Primary growth models of B. cereus on blanched spinach fit well to a modified Gompertz model (blanched spinach R² =0.98; blanched spinach with seasoning R² =0.96). These results might be used for developing safe storage guidelines for cooked vegetable at various temperatures.     

The Compounds Contributing to the Greenness of Green Tea

ABSTRACT: Color is one of the determinant sensory qualities for green tea. As cold tea beverages in clear bottles are getting more popular, the traditional evaluation methods are gradually being altered to attach more importance to the tea infusion color. For quality control, experiments were carried out on 10 green tea samples to investigate the compounds influencing the colors of dry tea leaves and infusions. By calculating the coefficients of determination between the greenness (expressed in tristimulus data) and chemical composition, chlorophylls proved to be the influential compounds for the color of dry tea leaves; water-insoluble chlorophylls were also released from the fragile tea leaves during infusion and increased both the greenness and turbidity of tea infusions. Among the flavonoids (catechins and flavonols) detected in green tea infusions, quercetin was shown to be the most important phenolic compound contributing to the greenness of tea infusion.     

Pasteurization Effect on Fatty Acid Stability in a Sous Vide Product Containing Seal Meat (Phoca groenlandica)

The stability of selected fatty acids in a sous vide product containing seal meat (Phoca groenlandica) plus vegetables was examined. The product was processed at five time/temperature combinations. In addition to pasteurized and nonpasteurized products, a conventionally heated (about 100°C) product was prepared for comparison. Unsaturated fatty acids constituted 81.3% of the total fatty acids in the nonpasteurized product. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) was 0.9 mg/g and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) was 1.2 mg/g in the nonpasteurized product. EPA was 19% higher and DHA 68% higher in the sample pasteurized at 65°C vs the conventional. Furthermore, pasteurization at lower temperatures retained 22% more EPA and 57% more DHA than pasteurization at higher temperatures.