Vesna Lelas

Comparison of Conventional and Ultrasound Assisted Extraction Techniques of Yellow Tea and Bioactive Composition of Obtained Extracts

Yellow tea is the least investigated type of tea (Camellia sinensis), therefore, this study is focused on characterization of bioactive content of yellow tea extracts as well as application of inovative extraction techniques (ultrasound bath and probe) compared to conventional extraction, in water and aqueous ethanol media. Comparison of obtained extracts was based on total flavonoid (TFC) and nonflavonoid (TNC) content, HPLC analysis of individual polyphenols and methylxanthines, and antioxidant capacity. The highest TFC was detected in extracts obtained by ultrasound probe assisted extraction in aqueous ethanol as an extraction medium and the lowest in extracts obtained by ultrasound bath extraction (water and aqueous ethanol) with a trend of increase with prolonged extraction time. Conventional extraction was successful when combined with 75% aqueous ethanol as an extraction medium. Results of HPLC analysis and antioxidant capacity assays were generally in compliance with these results. This study proves that ultrasound probe extraction could succesfully be used for extraction of polyphenols and methylxanthines from yellow tea.

Tribomechanical micronization and activation of whey protein concentrate and zeolite

Tribomechanics is a part of physics that is concerned with the study of phenomena that appear during milling under dynamic conditions. Tribomechanical micronization and activation (TMA) of whey protein concentrates (WPC) and zeolites (type clinoptilolite) were carried out. Samples of powdered WPC and zeolite were treated with the laboratory TMA equipment. The treatment was carried out at two various rotor speeds: 16,000 and 22,000 r.p.m. at ambient temperature. Analyses of the particle size and distribution as well as the specific area and scanning electron microscopy were carried out on the powdered WPC and zeolite, before and after the TMA treatment. Suspensions of the WPC and zeolite were treated with ultrasound, just before determining the particle size distribution, at 50 kHz. The results showed that tribomechanical treatment causes significant decrease in particle size, change in particle size distribution and increase in specific area of WPC and zeolite. These changes of the treated materials depend on the type of the material, the level of inserting particles, the planned angle of the impact, internal rubbing and the planned number of impacts. The effects found became stronger as the rotor speed of the TMA equipment increased (16,000 to 22,000 rpm). Ultrasonic treatment of suspension of tribomechanically treated WPC resulted infurther breakdown of partly damaged protein globules as proved with the statistic analyses. No further changes in their granulometric composition were caused by ultrasonic treatment of a suspension of tribomechanically treated zeolite.

Effects of processing on nutritional composition and quality evaluation of candied celeriac

In this work, a new candying procedure with partial re-use of sugar syrup is proposed. Physicochemical analysis, together with sensory evaluation, of candied celeriac samples was done. Candying was performed in a pilot unit at 65‡C, through three cycles of 5 hours duration each. Sugar syrups of 75‡ Brix were used. Effects of 1 % (m/v) citric and 1 % (m/v) ascorbic acid addition, as well as the drying of candied celeriac (60‡C for 8 h) were studied. Sugar syrup deterioration was estimated by the concentration of hydroxymethylfurfural. The results obtained showed that there were no significant(P < 0.01) differences in total dry matter and total sugar content between samples, while the increases after drying were significant(P > 0.01). Differences were observed in sugar compositions between samples. After three cycles, samples turned lighter, with decreasedL* values after drying. The celeriac from the first cycle of the ascorbic acid addition procedure was adjudged best with respect to all quality parameters. The decreased concentration of hydroxymethylfurfural confirmed that re-use of sugar syrup is possible.

Experimental Design and Optimization of Ultrasound Treatment: Functional and Physical Properties of Sonicated Ice Cream Model Mixtures

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of high power ultrasound on functional properties of ice-cream model mixtures. Mixture composed of sucrose, glucose, whole milk powder, whey protein concentrates (WPC) and distilled water was ultrasonically treated according to different parameters. Amplitude of ultrasounds, percentage of WPC in the sample and time of treatment are the three variables considered. Effect of ultrasound parameters on rheological properties (measurement of coefficient of consistency), thermal properties (measurement of initial freezing point) and foaming properties (measurement of maximal foam capacity) was observed. Experiment was designed using model called Central Composite Design (CCD) permitting to consider the significant factors for each property, and results were analyzed and process was optimized through response surface methodology-RSM. Through study, optimal conditions of ultrasound treatment (amplitude, treatment time and percentage of WPC) by which experiment should be performed were obtained. The factor “percentage of WPC” is significant from a rheological and thermal point of view. Regarding foaming properties, the significant factor that is to say affecting most the value of the maximum foam capacity is the duration of ultrasound treatment.