Xiaojun Liao

Characteristics of Thin-Layer Infrared Drying of Apple Pomace With and Without Hot Air Pre-drying

Thin-layer infrared drying characteristics of apple pomace, with and without hot air pre-drying, were studied with a laboratory scale infrared dryer. Moreover, ten commonly used mathematical models were used to fit experimental data. Logarithmic model and Page model were most adequate in describing thin-layer drying of fresh and pre-treated apple pomace respectively. The values of average effective diffusivity in drying the pre-treated apple pomace were about 1.3 times of that in the fresh apple pomace with the initial moisture content of 40% (wet basis).The values of activation energy of moisture diffusion were about 30 kJ/mol for the fresh and pre-treated apple pomace respectively. Infrared drying, combined with hot air pre-drying, can save 20% of drying time to remove the same amount of remained moisture as compared to the infrared drying alone. The above findings might be used for operation of drying apple pomace.

Physicochemical Characteristics of Orange Juice Samples From Seven Cultivars

Some physicochemical parameters of orange juice from seven orange varieties (Pineapple orange, Hamlin, Trovita, Jincheng, 1232 Tangor, Olinda Valencia, and Delta Valencia) were analyzed, special attention was paid to the level of sugars, organic acids, free amino acids, mineral composition, and color parameters. The results showed that total soluble solids (TSS), TSS/titratable acidity (TA) ratios, sugars, and organic acids were kept within a proper range for juice processing except that Jincheng had lower TSS than the others. Sucrose was the most dominant sugar in the orange cultivars, followed by fructose and glucose, while citric acid was the principal organic acid. Serine and proline were the principal amino acids. Potassium was the most abundant mineral in all of the juice samples, followed by magnesium and calcium. The sodium content of most varieties was under 10 mg kg−1. Though all of the samples had orange colour, Olinda Valencia and Delta Valencia had deeper red colour than the others. Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) were found between the samples in most of the characteristics. The results provided important information on the physicochemical characteristics of the varieties and on how to make the best use of orange cultivars for different purposes, which is of significance for both technological research and processing practice.

Extraction of anthocyanins from red cabbage using high pressure CO2.

The extraction kinetics of anthocyanins from red cabbage using high pressure CO(2) (HPCD) against conventional acidified water (CAW) was investigated. The HPCD time, temperature, pressure and volume ratio of solid-liquid mixture vs. pressurized CO(2) (R((S+L)/G)) exhibited important roles on the extraction kinetics of anthocyanins. The extraction kinetics showed two phases, the yield increased with increasing the time in the first phase, the yield defined as steady-state yield (y(*)) was constant in the second phase. The y(*) of anthocyanins using HPCD increased with higher temperature, higher pressure and lower R((S+L)/G). The general mass transfer model with higher regression coefficients (R(2)>0.97) fitted the kinetic data better than the Ficks second law diffusion model. As compared with CAW, the time (t(*)) to reach the y(*) of anthocyanins using HPCD was reduced by half while its corresponding overall volumetric mass transfer coefficients k(L)xa from the general mass transfer model increased by two folds.

Induction of viable but nonculturable Escherichia coli O157:H7 by high pressure CO2 and its characteristics.

The viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state is a survival strategy adopted by many pathogens when exposed to harsh environmental stresses. In this study, we investigated for the first time that whether high pressure CO2 (HPCD), one of the nonthermal pasteurization techniques, can induce Escherichia coli O157:H7 into the VBNC state. By measuring plate counts, viable cell counts and total cell counts, E. coli O157:H7 in 0.85% NaCl solution (pH 7.0) was able to enter the VBNC state by HPCD treatment at 5 MPa and four temperatures (25°C, 31°C, 34°C and 37°C). Meanwhile, with the improvement of treatment temperature, the time required for E. coli O157:H7 to enter VBNC state would shorten. Enzymatic activities in these VBNC cells were lower than those in the exponential-phase cells by using API ZYM kit, which were also reduced with increasing the treatment temperature, but the mechanical resistance of the VBNC cells to sonication was enhanced. These results further confirmed VBNC state was a self-protection mechanism for some bacteria, which minimized cellular energetic requirements and increased the cell resistance. When incubated in tryptic soy broth at 37°C, the VBNC cells induced by HPCD treatment at 25°C, 31°C and 34°C achieved resuscitation, but their resuscitation capabilities decreased with increasing the treatment temperature. Furthermore, electron microscopy revealed changes in the morphology and interior structure of the VBNC cells and the resuscitated cells. These results demonstrated that HPCD could induce E. coli O157:H7 into the VBNC state. Therefore, it is necessary to detect if there exist VBNC microorganisms in HPCD-treated products by molecular-based methods for food safety.

Inactivation of apple pectin methylesterase induced by dense phase carbon dioxide.

The inactivation of apple pectin methylesterase (PME) with dense phase carbon dioxide (DPCD) combined with temperatures (35-55 degrees C) is investigated. DPCD increases the susceptibility of apple PME to the temperatures and the pressures have a noticeable effect on apple PME activity. A labile and stable fraction of apple PME is present and the inactivation kinetics of apple PME by DPCD is adequately described by a two-fraction model. The kinetic rate constants k L and k S of labile and stable fractions are 0.890 and 0.039 min (-1), and the decimal reduction times D L and D S are 2.59 and 58.70 min at 30 MPa and 55 degrees C. Z T representing temperature increase needed for a 90% reduction of the D value and the activation energy E a of the labile fraction at 30 MPa is 22.32 degrees C and 86.88 kJ /mol, its Z P representing pressure increase needed for a 90% reduction of the D value and the activation volume V a at 55 degrees C is 21.75 MPa and -288.38 cm (3)/mol. The residual activity of apple PME after DPCD exhibits no reduction or reactivation for 4 weeks at 4 degrees C.

Effect of Ultrahigh Hydrostatic Pressure on the Activity and Structure of Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Polyphenoloxidase

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP, treatment pressure ≤700 MPa) is approved to be the most successful commercial nonthermal processing due to its minimal modifications in nutritional and sensory quality. However, for some pressure stable enzymes such as PPO, this unique technology can hardly inactivate them at treatment pressure below of 700 MPa. This study investigated the effects of ultrahigh hydrostatic pressure (UHHP, treatment pressure >700 MPa) on the activity of Agaricus bisporus mushroom polyphenoloxidase (PPO) both in the phosphate buffer and in the mushroom puree, and on the structure of the enzyme by means of circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence emission spectra, and sulphydryl group detection. The results showed that UHHP treatment at pressure from 800 to 1600 MPa caused significant inactivation on the PPO both in the phosphate buffer and in the mushroom puree. UHHP treatment at 1400 and 1600 MPa for 1 min reduced the enzyme activity by 90.4% and 99.2% in the buffer;, however, higher enzyme activity remained in the puree after UHHP treatment at the same condition. CD and fluorescence spectra analysis showed that the secondary and tertiary structures of UHHP treated mushroom PPO were changed. The sulphydryl group (SH) detection revealed that the SH content on the surface of UHHP treated mushroom PPO was increased. It has been suggested that the inactivation of mushroom PPO by UHHP treatment at pressure higher than 1000 MPa was due to the synergistic effect of the pressure and the heat arising from pressurization, in which heat plays a major role.

Alterations in the activity and structure of pectin methylesterase treated by high pressure carbon dioxide.

The influence of high pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) on the activity and structure of pectin methylesterase (PME) from orange was investigated. The pressures were 8-30 MPa, temperature 55 degrees C and time 10 min. HPCD caused significant inactivation on PME, the lowest residual activity was about 9.3% at 30 MPa. The SDS-PAGE electrophoretic behavior of HPCD-treated PME was not altered, while changes in the secondary and tertiary structures were found. The beta-structure fraction in the secondary structure decreased and the fluorescence intensity increased as HPCD pressures were elevated. After 7-day storage at 4 degrees C, no alteration of its activity and no reversion of its beta-structure fraction were observed, while its fluorescence intensity further decreased.

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on color of spinach purée and related properties

BACKGROUNDnChanges in instrumental color parameters, chlorophyll a and b, activity of chlorophyllase, Mg-dechelatase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, total phenolic compounds and pH of spinach purée were assessed after high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) (200, 400 and 600 MPa for 5, 15 and 25 min) treatments at room temperature.nnnRESULTSnHHP treatments induced a better retention of visual green color (-a* and L* values) and chlorophyll contents of spinach purée. As for chlorophyll degradation-related enzymes, the results indicated that chlorophyllase activity decreased at all pressures; however, Mg-dechelatase activity was dramatically activated after HHP treatment at 400 and 600 MPa. Peroxidase exhibited higher resistance to HHP; however, polyphenol oxidase, which is responsible for enzymatic browning, was suppressed progressively with increase in pressure level from 200 to 600 MPa. In addition, the pH value of HHP-treated spinach purée was increased to be close to neutral pH, which could effectively inhibit chlorophyll degradation. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found after extending the treatment times at the same level of pressure.nnnCONCLUSIONnHHP treatments effectively prevent chlorophyll degradation and enzymatic browning in spinach purée and retain a better original fresh green color of spinach compared with conventional thermal treatment.

Aggregation and Homogenization, Surface Charge and Structural Change, and Inactivation of Mushroom Tyrosinase in an Aqueous System by Subcritical/Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The subcritical/supercritical carbon dioxide (SS CO(2)) has gained considerable attention in green chemistry industry for its advantage as nontoxic, nonflammable, and inexpensive. The effects of SS CO(2) treatments on aggregation and homogenization, surface charge, secondary and tertiary structure, and activity of mushroom tyrosinase in an aqueous system were investigated using a number of methods including dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurement, circular dichroism (CD) spectropolarimeter, and spectrofluorometer. With a treatment time of 20 min, three treatment temperatures (35, 45, and 55 °C) and four pressures (5, 8, 12, and 15 MPa) had been selected. The aggregation and homogenization of the globular protein particles was induced by SS CO(2) as suggested by the particle size distribution (PSD) patterns that were closely related to the pressure and temperature. The surface charge of the tyrosinase decreased following the SS CO(2) treatments, and its variation tendency shows a favorable consistency with that of its PSD patterns. The α-helix conformation in secondary structure and fluorescence intensity reflecting tertiary structure also decreased, together with the λ(max) red-shifted with the increasing pressure. The results also indicated that SS CO(2) could enhance inactivation effect of the temperature on the tyrosinase with its lowest residual activity being about 60% under the condition of 8 MPa, 55 °C, and 20 min treatment time. The loss in the activity of the tyrosinase was correlated to its aggregation and homogenization effect induced by SS CO(2), which led to the change of surface charge as well as secondary and tertiary structure.

The effect of ultrasound on particle size, color, viscosity and polyphenol oxidase activity of diluted avocado puree

The effect of ultrasound treatment on particle size, color, viscosity, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and microstructure in diluted avocado puree was investigated. The treatments were carried out at 20 kHz (375 W/cm(2)) for 0-10 min. The surface mean diameter (D[3,2]) was reduced to 13.44 μm from an original value of 52.31 μm by ultrasound after 1 min. A higher L(∗) value, ΔE value and lower a(∗) value was observed in ultrasound treated samples. The avocado puree dilution followed pseudoplastic flow behavior, and the viscosity of diluted avocado puree (at 100 s(-1)) after ultrasound treatment for 1 min was 6.0 and 74.4 times higher than the control samples for dilution levels of 1:2 and 1:9, respectively. PPO activity greatly increased under all treatment conditions. A maximum increase of 25.1%, 36.9% and 187.8% in PPO activity was found in samples with dilution ratios of 1:2, 1:5 and 1:9, respectively. The increase in viscosity and measured PPO activity might be related to the decrease in particle size. The microscopy images further confirmed that ultrasound treatment induced disruption of avocado puree structure.