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- Inactivation kinetics of peroxidase in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) by heat and UV-C radiationPublication . Neves, Filipa I. G.; Vieira, M. M. C.; Silva, C. L. M.The effect of traditional thermal water blanching, or its combination with a UV-C radiation pre-treatment (11 J/m2), on the inactivation kinetics of peroxidase in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) was carried out in the temperature range of 80 to 98 °C, and up to 3 min of processing time. Peroxidase inactivation started being noticed only at temperatures around 85 °C. For both treatments, the inactivation kinetics followed a first order reaction with the Arrhenius model describing the temperature dependence of the reaction rate. The obtained kinetic parameters (kHeat 89.6 °C = 7.37 × 10− 7 ± 3.47 × 10− 7 min− 1 and Ea Heat = 925 ± 69 kJ mol− 1; kHeat 89.6 °C + UV-C = 2.42 × 10− 5 ± 6.58 × 10− 6 min− 1 and Ea Heat + UV-C = 596 ± 48.8 kJ mol− 1) showed that UV-C radiation had a significant contribution to increase the peroxidase degradation rate. These results will help to design new pre-processing conditions for the production of frozen zucchini, using less severe thermal treatments and attempt to minimize quality losses.
- Effect of antioxidant and optimal antimicrobial mixtures of carvacrol, grape seed extract and chitosan on different spoilage microorganisms and their application as coatings on different food matricesPublication . Rubilar, Javiera F.; Cruz, R. M. S.; Khmelinskii, Igor; Vieira, M. M. C.There is growing interest in the use of natural agents with antimicrobial (AM) and antioxidant (AOX) properties. Optimization of the AM capacity for mixtures containing carvacrol, grape seed extract (GSE) and chitosan, against gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua and Enterococcus faecalis) and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at 106 cfu mL−1 was studied. To observe the synergistic or antagonistic effect and find optimal combinations between the three agents, a simplex centroid mixture design was run for each microorganism, combining carvacrol (0-300 ppm, X1)X, GSE (0-2000 ppm, X2) and chitosan (0-2% w/v, X3). Results of the response surface analysis showed several synergistic effects for all microorganisms. Combinations of 60 ppm-400 ppm-1.2% w/v (carvacrol-GSE-chitosan; optimal AM combination 1, OAMC-1); 9.6 ppm-684 ppm-1.25% w/v (OAMC-2); 90 ppm-160 ppm-1.24% w/v (OAMC-3) were found to be the optimal mixtures for all microorganisms. Radical scavenging activity (RSA) of the same agents was then compared with a standard AOX (butylated hydroxytoluene; BHT) at different concentrations (25, 50 and 100 ppm; as well as the optimal AM concentrations) by the 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. RSA increased in the following order: chitosan< carvacrol< BHT< GSE and for the OAMC: OAMC-2< OAMC-1< OAMC-3. The best RSA (OAMC-3) was applied as a coating in two different food matrices (strawberries and salmon). For strawberries, P. aeruginosa was more sensitive to the action of OAMC-3 than S. cerevisiae. For salmon, S. aureus was more resistant to the action of OAMC-3 than E. faecalis and L. innocua.
- Modelling kinetics of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) colour changes due to heat and thermosonication treatmentsPublication . Cruz, R. M. S.; Vieira, M. M. C.; Silva, C. L. M.Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) colour changes due to blanching by heat and a combined treatment of heat/ultrasound (thermosonication) were studied in thetemperature range of 82.5 to 92.5 °C. The application of thermosonication was intended to enable less severe blanching treatments and, therefore, improve the quality of the blanched product. The thermosonication blanching processes promoted changes of the green colour (an parameter) at a higher rate (P < 0.05), when compared with the heat blanching processes. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were detected between heat and thermosonication blanching processes in terms of the colour parameters Ln, bn and TCD changes.In both treatments, a fractional first order model fitted well the experimental data for Ln, an and bn (RH2 = 0.99; RTs2 = 0.99) and TCD (RH2 = 0.92; RTs2 = 0.96) colour parameters. The chlorophylls content showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) between thermally treated and thermosonicated watercress samples. The present findings will help to evaluate the effectiveness of thermosonication as a novel process to replace the classical heat treatment.
- Mathematical modeling of gallic acid release from chitosan films with grape seed extract and carvacrolPublication . Rubilar, Javiera F.; Cruz, Rui; Zuñiga, Rommy N.; Khmelinskii, Igor; Vieira, M. M. C.Controlled release of antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds from packaging films is of utmost importance for extending the shelf-life of perishable foods. This study focused on the mathematical modeling of gallic acid release into an aqueous medium from three chitosan films, formulated with grape seed extract (GSE) and carvacrol. We quantified the release by HPLC technique during 30days at three temperatures (5, 25 and 45°C). The diffusion coefficients, varying with temperature according to an Arrhenius-type relationship, and the respective activation energies for Film-1 and Film-2 were, respectively [Formula: see text] m2s-1 and [Formula: see text] m2s-1, Ea1=58kJmol-1 and Ea2=60kJmol-1 as obtained from the Fickian fit. The low concentrations of gallic acid released by Film-3 could not be detected by HPLC, therefore the respective diffusion coefficient was not estimated. This study will help with the development and optimization of active packaging (AP) films aiming at improved food preservation and shelf-life extension.
- Optimization of a cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) nectar formulationPublication . Vieira, M. M. C.; Silva, C. L. M.A Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) nectar formulation was optimized, for European consumers, using an augmented simplex centroid mixture design. the working ranges, x1 (Sugar, 10–25%), x2 (Cupuaçu, 15–30%) and x3 (Water, 60–75%), were based on a common Brazilian recipe. As responses, a sensory panel evaluated taste, acidity, sweetness, viscosity, mouthfeel and overall opinion. For each response, the best mathematical predictive model was chosen, based on Response Surface statistical analysis. an optimization was then performed, and the optimum was Cupuaçu (18.5%), Sugar (11%) and Water (70.5%). Tolerance tests were carried out and, although differences were detected (= 5%), the level of acceptance remained above average.
- Stability of cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) nectar during storagePublication . Vieira, M. M. C.; Silva, Cristina L. M.A shelf-life study on cupua¸cu nectar (Theobroma grandiflorum) was carried out in two parts. Part I studied the microbial stability of the regular nectar (batch R) and the same nectar fortified with synthetic ascorbic acid (AA) (batch F), pasteurized at 90 ◦C for 3 min and hot filled in glass bottles. Total Plate Count (TPC), yeast and molds as well as pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and hidroxymethylfurfural (HMF) were followed along 43 storage days at 4, 25 and 35 ◦C. At the end of the storage period neither TPC nor molds or yeast had recovered the initial loads observed before pasteurization, for both R and F batches. Right after pasteurization, acidity increased slightly, pH decreased from 3.52 to 3.3, and TSS increased from 18.7 to 19.0 ◦Brix, with all stabilizing afterwards. Part II evaluated ascorbic (AA) and dehydroascorbic (DHAA) acids’ stabilization in the two batches, R and F, and dissolved oxygen (DO) was monitored. Both batches were stored at the same temperatures as in Part I for two months. For batch R, the AA degradation results followed a reversible first order reaction (EaAA(R) =-34±6 kJ/mol, k AA(R)25◦C =0.006±0.003 days−1 , C0AA(R)=0.92±0.01 and C ∞AA(R)= 0.43±0.19). For the (F) nectar, the experimental data fitted a first order model well (EaAA(F )=30±17 kJ/mol, k AA(F )25◦C =0.0016±0.0004 days−1 ). DO was modeled as a fractional conversion model (EaDO= 67±17 kJ/mol, kDO25◦C = 1.94±0.94 days−1 , C0DO=0.97±0.03 and C ∞DO= 0.55±0.01). For both nectars, storage at environmental temperatures was preferred (AA retention above 80%) to refrigeration, due to the slower rate of diffusion of DO at lower temperatures.
- Impact of thermal blanching and thermosonication treatments on watercress (Nasturtium officinale) quality: thermosonication process optimisation and microstructure evaluationPublication . Cruz, R. M. S.; Vieira, M. M. C.; Fonseca, Susana C.; Silva, C. L. M.The objectives of the present work were to optimise watercress heat and thermosonication blanching conditions, in order to obtain a product with better quality for further freezing, and to evaluate the effects of thermosonication on the microstructure of watercress leaves. In a chart of optimal time–temperature conditions for a 90% peroxidase inactivation (imposed constraint), vitamin C (objective function) and a-value (improvement toward green) were mathematically predicted for both heat and thermosonication blanching treatments. Two optimal thermosonication combinations were selected: 92°C and 2 s, retaining 95% of vitamin C content and 5% a-value improvement, and a better condition in terms of practical feasibility, 86°C and 30 s, allowing a 75% vitamin C retention and 8% a-value improvement. The experimental values, for each thermosonication optimal time–temperature zone, were in good agreement with the models' predicted responses. In terms of microstructure, thermosonicated watercress at 86 and 92°C showed similar loss of turgor and release of chloroplasts. The proposed optimal thermosonication blanching conditions allow the improvement of the blanched watercress quality and consequently contribute for the development of a high-quality new frozen product. However, a suitable scale-up is mandatory for industrial implementation.
- Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores as a target for Cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflorum) nectar thermal processing: kinetic parameters and experimental methodsPublication . Vieira, Margarida; Teixeira, A. A.; Silva, F. M.; Gaspar, N.; Silva, C. L. M.The kinetic parameters of thermal inactivation of a spore former, Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, in a tropical fruit nectar [25% of Cupuaca (Theobroma grandiflorum) pulp and 15% sugar] were determined by the isothermal method (IM), under batch heating, and by the paired equivalent isothermal exposures (PEIE) method, under non-isothermal continuous conditions. The isothermal experiments were repeated three times, every 4 months, with the same spore suspension kept frozen between experiments. The aging of spores, under frozen storage, seemed to produce a notorious increase in the z-value from experiment to experiment: Experiment I (z = 7.8 +/- 2.6 degreesC, D-95 (degreesC) = 5.29 +/- 0.96 min), Experiment 2 (z = 22 +/- 5 degreesC, D-95 (degreesC) = 5.99 +/- 0.63 min), and Experiment 3 (z = 29 +/- 10 degreesC, D-95 degreesC = 3.82 +/- 0.48 min). The evaluation of the kinetic parameters by the PEIE method was carried out in parallel with Experiment 3, with the same aged spores, and the results (z = 31 +/- 6 degreesC, D-95 (degreesC) = 5.5 +/- 1.2 min) were close to the ones obtained in this experiment. From this work, it seems that the PEIE method can also be applied to evaluate the reduction parameters of a spore-forming microorganism, and in a more realistic way, since the continuous system eliminates the errors caused by come-up and cool-down times (CUT and CDT) that are unavoidable in isothermal experiments. Therefore, when designing a thermal process for a continuous system, the PEIE method should be used, or the chances are that the process would be underdesigned, risking that the desired level of spore inactivation would not be achieved. An optimization of the thermal processing conditions was next performed for Cupuacu nectar, considering a 5D reduction in A. acidoterrestris spores. If a pasteurization process is considered, the conditions that ensure safety (9 min at 98 degreesC only allow a 55% retention of ascorbic acid (AA). If sterilization is considered, 8 s at 115 degreesC will ensure a safe product and retain 98.5% of the original ascorbic acid. Therefore, if A. acidoterrestris is considered as the target microorganism, the nectar should undergo an aseptic high temperature short the principle (HTST) process to achieve a 5D reduction in this acidophilus spore former. However, if the hot-fill-and-hold pasteurization process is preferred, the product should be fortified with ascorbic acid. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
- Combined pre-treatments effects on zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) squash microbial load reductionPublication . Neves, Filipa. I. G.; Silva, Cristina L. M.; Vieira, MargaridaFreezing vegetables requires pre-treatments to reduce microbial load and destroy enzymes that impair the frozen product quality. So far blanching has been the most effective pre-treatment, preferred by the food industry, despite its severity: heating up to temperatures close to 100 °C for 1-3 min causes sensory and texture changes in most horticultural products. Alternative blanching treatments, using UV-C radiation combined with milder thermal treatments or with thermosonication, may improve the quality of the final frozen vegetables. Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.), the vegetable under study, has an availability in fresh restricted to a season, needing therefore to be often frozen to be used throughout the year. In this study, its surface was first inoculated with two vegetable contaminants, Enterococcus faecalis and Deinococcus radiodurans cells, which are resistant, respectively, to high temperatures and to radiation and then submitted to several blanching treatments, single or combined, and the effect on these microorganisms reduction was evaluated. As single treatments, water blanching (the control treatment, as it is the blanching treatment traditionally used) was applied up to 180 s at temperatures ranging from 65 to 90 °C, and UV-irradiation applied in continuous. As combined pre-treatments, water blanching combined with UV-C (continuous or in pulses), and thermosonication (20 kHz at 50% of power) combined with UV-C pulses were also studied. The continuous UV-C radiation incident irradiance was 11 W/m2 up to 180 s, and the pulses at incident radiance of 67 W/m2, lasting 3.5 s each (35 pulses). Mathematical modeling of bacterial reduction data was carried out using the Bigelow, the Weibull and Weibull modified models, and estimation of their respective kinetic parameters proved that the latter models presented a better fit below 75 °C. The best results proved to be the combination of water blanching at temperatures as low as 85 °C during <2 min with 25 pulses of UV-C (incident irradiance of 67 W/m2) or thermosonication at 90 °C also combined with UV-C pulses, both resulting in 3 log reductions of both microorganisms under study. These results proved to overcome what industry is requiring so far (a 2 log microbial reduction in 3 min), hence minimizing quality changes of frozen zucchini.
- Effect of cold chain temperature abuses on the quality of frozen watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.)Publication . Cruz, R. M. S.; Vieira, M. M. C.; Silva, C. L. M.The objective of this work was to study the effect of temperature abuses on the colour and vitamin C content of a new frozen vegetable, watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.). The vitamin C content, expressed as ascorbic (AA) and dehydroascorbic (DHAA) acids, and colour, expressed in the Hunter Lab parameters, were evaluated along a plan of temperature abuses, based on a real situation for a four month frozen storage period. A comparison between the hue angle and AA experimental data and prediction models, using kinetic parameters determined under isothermal conditions, was also run. The colour showed some variation, namely on the parameters L, a, TCD (Total Colour Difference) and hue angle. Although, during the temperature abuses, some fluctuation was observed, no vitamin C degradation or major colour changes occurred. A zero-order and a first-order prediction models fitted well the experimental data for the hue angle and AA behaviour with temperature abuses, respectively. In general, the frozen watercress colour and vitamin C content were not impaired by the imposed temperature abuses. This work will help to predict and understand the sensory and nutritional quality changes of frozen watercress that might occur during frozen storage and distribution in the cold chain under the used conditions.