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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The effect of ultrasound in food processingPublication . Cruz, R. M. S.; Vieira, M. M. C.; Silva, C. L. M.The development of innovative and more efficient processing operations aiming at less severe heat treatment and higher quality food products are common in food preservation research. These emerging technologies may have an extraordinary significance on the product's final quality, and consequently may bring out new opportunities that fulfill the market requirements. Ultrasound is considered to be an emerging and promising non-thermal food processing technology. In this chapter a review of its applications and effects in food processing will be presented. Despite its original function, in degassing or homogenization of solutions, its use is widely reported in hurdle technologies and combined processing treatments in different areas, such as freezing, drying and heat treatment. Food enzymes' inactivation, microorganisms' reduction and enhancements of quality parameters are some of the outcomes due to its pressure effect and heat treatment extent decrease. The use of ultrasound has a great potential in food processing and further research on different applications and foodstuffs should be assessed in order to implement this technology at industrial scale. © 2009 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
- Effect of heat and thermosonication treatments on watercress (Nasturtium officinale) vitamin C degradation kineticsPublication . Cruz, R. M. S.; Vieira, M. M. C.; Silva, C. L. M.The use of ultrasound in food processing creates novel and interesting methodologies, which are often complementary to classical techniques. In this work, the effect of heat and the combined treatment heat/ultrasound (thermosonication) on the thermal degradation kinetics of vitamin C in watercress (Nasturtium officinale) was studied in the temperature range of 82.5 to 92.5 °C. First order reaction kinetics adequately described the vitamin C losses during both blanching processes. The activation energies and the reaction rates at 87.5 °C for heat (H) and thermosonication (Ts) treatments were, respectively, EavitCH = 150.47 ± 42.81 kJ mol− 1 and EavitCTs = 136.20 ± 60.97 kJ mol− 1, and k87.5 °CvitCH = 0.75 ± 0.10 min− 1 and k87.5 °CvitCTs = 0.58 ± 0.11 min− 1. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were detected between both treatments. The thermosonication treatment was found to be a better blanching process, since it inactivates watercress peroxidase at less severe blanching conditions and consequently retains vitamin C content at higher levels. The present findings will help to optimise the blanching conditions for the production of a new and healthy frozen product, watercress, with heat and a new blanching process methodology.
- Kinetic parameters estimation for ascorbic acid degradation in fruit nectar using the partial equivalent isothermal exposures (PEIE) method under non-isothermal continuous heating conditionsPublication . Vieira, M. M. C.; Teixeira, A. A.; Silva, C. L. M.With the purpose of testing the Paired Equivalent Isothermal Exposures (PEIE) method to determine reaction kinetic parameters under non-isothermal conditions, continuous pasteurizations were carried out with a tropical fruit nectar [25% cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflorum) pulp and 15% sugar] to estimate the ascorbic acid thermal degradation kinetic parameters. Fifteen continuous thermal exposures were studied, with seven being cycled. The experimental ascorbic acid thermal degradation kinetic parameters were estimated by the PEIE method (E-a = 73 +/- 9 kJ/mol, k(80 degreesC) = 0.017 +/- 0.001 min(-1)). These values compared very well to the previously determined values for the same product under isothermal conditions (E-a = 73 +/- 7 kJ/mol, k(80 degreesC) = 0.020 +/- 0.001 min(-1)). The predicted extents of reaction presented a good fit to the experimental data, although the cycled thermal treatments presented some deviation. In addition to being easier and faster than the Isothermal method, the PEIE method can be a more reliable method to estimate first-order reaction kinetic parameters when continuous heating is considered.
- The response of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) to vacuum impregnation: Effect of an antifreeze protein type IPublication . Vieira, M. M. C.; Silva, C. L. M.; Cruz, R. M. S.The setting up of methodologies that reduce the size of ice crystals and reduce or inhibit the recrystalli-sation phenomena could have an extraordinary significance in the final quality of frozen products and consequently bring out new market opportunities. In this work, the effect of an antifreeze protein type I (AFP-I), by vacuum impregnation (VI), on frozen watercress was studied. The VI pressure, samples’weight, Hunter Lab. colour, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a wilting test were analysed in thiswork. The water intake of watercress samples augmented with vacuum pressure increase. The results also showed that, independently from the vacuum pressure used, the Lab. colour parameters between raw and impregnated samples were maintained, showing no significant differences (P > 0.05). A VI of 58 kPa, during 5 min, allowed impregnating the AFP-I solution (0.01 mg ml 1) into the water-cressb samples. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the AFP-I impregnated frozen samples with better cell wall definition and rounded cell shape with smaller ice crystals compared with the control samples. The wilting test results corroborated that AFP-I is a valuable additive, since the leaves impregnated with AFP-I showed higher turgidity compared to the control samples. The present findings will help to better understand the effect of AFP-I, particularly, on frozen water-cress microstructure and its importance as valuable food additive in frozen foods and mainly in leafy vegetables.
- Effect of heat and thermosonication treatments on peroxidase inactivation kinetics in watercress (Nasturtium officinale)Publication . Cruz, R. M. S.; Vieira, M. M. C.; Silva, C. L. M.The effect of heat and the combined heat/ultrasound (thermosonication) treatment on the inactivation kinetics of peroxidase in watercress (Nasturtium officinale) was studied in the temperature range of 40-92.5 degrees C. In the heat blanching processes, the enzyme kinetics showed a first-order biphasic inactivation model. The activation energies and the rates of the reaction at a reference temperature for both the heat-labile and heat-resistant fractions were, respectively, E(a1) = 421 +/- 115 kJmol(-1) and E(a2) = 352 +/- 81 kJmol(-1), k(184.6 degrees C) = 18 +/- 14min(-1) and k(284.6 degrees C) = 0.24 +/- 0.14min(-1). The initial relative specific activity for both isoenzyme fractions were also estimated, being C(01) = 0.5 +/- 0.08 mu mol min(-1)mg protein(-1) and C(02) = 0.5 +/- 0.06 mu mol min(-1)mg protein(-1), respectively. The application of thermosonication was studied to enable less severe thermal treatments and, therefore, improving the quality of the blanched product. In this treatment the enzyme kinetics showed a first-order model. The activation energy, the rate of reaction at a reference temperature and the initial relative specific activity were, respectively, E(a3) = 496 +/- 65 kJmol(-1), k(387.5 degrees C) = 10 +/- 2min(-1) and C(03) = 1 +/- 0.05 mu mol min(-1)mg protein(-1), proving that the enzyme became more heat labile. The present findings will help to design the blanching conditions for the production of a new and healthy frozen product, watercress (Nasturtium officinale), with minimized colour or flavour changes along its shelf life. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.