Modelling the kinetics of osmotic dehydration of mango: Optimizing process conditions and pre-treatment for health aspects

The kinetics of mass transfer and vitamin C loss in mango during osmotic dehydration (OD) were described by mathematical models. Water loss (WL) and weight reduction (WR) was modelled by Weibull's model, soluble solid gain (SSG) was better described by Peleg's model. Vitamin C loss was described by a multiresponse model incorporating both degradation and leaching processes into the OD-solution. Effects of vacuum impregnation (VI) and pectin methylesterase (PME) addition on the model parameters were evaluated. VI increases SSG indicated by a 55% lower value of k2 in the Peleg model (P < 0.05). PME addition showed no significant effect on the mass transfer kinetics. The major mechanism of vitamin C loss during OD was degradation. The pretreatments have no significant effect on degradation and leaching rate constants of vitamin C. The combination of modelling the mass transfer and vitamin C retention was shown to be valuable in optimizing the OD process design to enhance the health-promoting value of OD mango (sugar content, vitamin C) and processing time.</p

Modeling the Effects of Osmotic Dehydration Pretreatment Parameters and Lyophilization Kinetics on Mass Transfer and Selected Nutritive Parameters of Peaches

The effects of the osmodehydration pretreatment parameters on successive lyophilization mass transfer kinetics of the peaches, dehydrated in the combined dehydration process, were investigated and mathematically modelled. The obtained results showed the statistically significant effect of osmotic dehydration pretreatment and its parameters on the final dry matter content and water activity values of the dehydrated peaches. The maximum dry matter content and minimal water activity values of dehydrated peach samples were 84.60 % and 0.423, respectively, produced in osmodehydration pretreatment in molasses of 80 % concentration, at 50 °C, during a 5-hour process and subsequent 6-hour lyophilization. With the increase of all osmodehydration pretreatment parameters it is possible to reduce the duration of the lyophilization process, reducing the high energy demand of the dehydration method (lyophilization) and substituting it with low energy demanding dehydration method (osmodehydration) without compromising the quality of the final product, regarding the dry matter content and water activity values. Mathematical models describing the effect of the duration of the lyophilization on the dry matter content and water activity values of the fresh and dehydrated peaches were developed. They showed a good correlation between calculated and experimental values, allowing a good prediction of the investigated responses. In the combined method, protein, sugar, K and Fe content of the dehydrated peach samples were enriched and further enhanced in prolonged lyophilization stages

Modelling the convective drying process of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using an artificial neural network

This study investigated the drying kinetic of pumpkin under different drying temperatures (50, 60, 70 and 80°C), samples thickness (3, 4, 5 and 7mm), air velocity (1.2m/s) and relative humidity (40 - 50%). Kinetic models were developed using semi-theoretical thin layer models and multi-layer feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) method. The Hii et al. (2009) semi-theoretical model was found to be the most suitable thin layer model while two hidden layers with 20 neurons was the best for the ANN method. The selections were based on the statistical indicators of coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and sum of squares error (SSE). Results indicated that the ANN demonstrated better prediction than those of the theoretical models with R2, RMSE and SSE values of 0.992, 0.036 and 0.207 as compared to the Hii et al. (2009) model values of 0.902, 0.088 and 1.734 respectively. The validation result also showed good agreement between the predicted values obtained from the ANN model and the experimental moisture ratio data. This indicates that an ANN can effectively describe the drying process of pumpkin

Banana Drying Kinetics

Bananas (Musa acuminata) are one of the most important tropical fruits consumed worldwide by people of all age groups. Banana fruits are highly perishable, requiring preservation in some forms. Minimal processing, refrigeration and dehydration or drying are among the useful processes used in preserving banana fruits. Drying of banana fruits is used in reducing losses and improving food commercial value. Drying is the process of moisture removal due to simultaneous heat and mass transfer under controlled conditions. Drying as an old method of food preservation is widely embraced because it is simple, easy to operate and cost-effective. Drying also reduces bulkiness of banana through moisture loss which reduces the volume and eases handling and processing operations. This in turn reduces the costs of packaging, handling, storage and transportation. There are different drying techniques with different advantages and shortcomings. Agricultural produce have been dried for ages with natural and artificial methods to preserve them. The drying kinetics of banana is a complex phenomenon, and it is used in predicting the drying behaviour and for optimizing the drying parameters. This chapter assesses the models of drying kinetics in predicting the drying behaviour and in optimizing the drying parameters of banana fruits

Optimization of factors influencing osmotic dehydration of aonla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) segments in salt solution using response surface methodology

Optimization of process parameters is a critical requirement in food processing and food product industries for the development of highly acceptable product. Quantification of mass transfer kinetics under different processing conditions is essential step for optimizing the osmotic dehydration process. A Box-Behnken Design (BBD), adopted from response surface methodology (RSM) approach was used for evaluating and quantifying the moisture loss and solids gain kinetics of aonla segments in salt solution during the osmotic dehydration process. The independent variables were fixed at three levels (salt concentration- 2, 4, 6%; processtemperature - 45, 50, 55 OC and process time - 60, 120, 180 minutes). The process responses were water loss percentage (WL%) and solids gain percentage (SG%). Validation experiments were conducted at optimum conditions to verify predictions and adequacy of the models. The optimum conditions predicted were 5.02% salt concentration, 54.8 OC temperature and 60.64 minutes process time to attain a desired effect of maximum water loss (6.42%) and minimum solid gain (1.09%) in osmotic dehydration of aonla in salt medium

La diffusion sélective lors de la déshydratation osmotique de la mangue : impact de la solution hypertonique et des prétraitements

La déshydratation osmotique est une technique de séchage partiel ayant lieu à de basses températures (moins de 50°C), permettant de préserver la qualité des produits comparativement au séchage conventionnel. De plus, une formulation du produit peut être réalisée en utilisant des solutions riches en composés bénéfiques, comme le sirop d'agave qui contient des prébiotiques (inuline). Elle est pratique pour conserver les fruits saisonniers comme la mangue dont les caractéristiques organoleptiques et nutritionnelles la placent parmi les fruits les plus consommés au monde. Cependant, l'imprégnation de solutés (sucres ou sels) augmente la teneur calorique des produits après la déshydratation osmotique. De plus le sucrose, le soluté le plus utilisé, n'est pas adapté à certains consommateurs qui y sont intolérants. Enfin, la teneur élevée en sucres dans les aliments est incriminée dans les maladies cardiovasculaires et l'obésité. C'est pourquoi, ce projet avait pour but d'optimiser le procédé de déshydratation osmotique de la mangue afin de produire des mangues déshydratées osmotiquement avec du sirop d'agave et ayant une teneur ajoutée en sucres réduite. Dans un premier temps, la viscosité et la rhéologie des solutions osmotiques de composition différentes ont été caractérisées, suivi de la déshydratation osmotique des morceaux de mangues Tommy Atkins d'épaisseurs 0.4 cm et 1.5 cm. Les résultats ont montré que l'augmentation de la viscosité, de la taille des molécules de solutés ainsi que de l'épaisseur de la mangue peuvent permettre de réduire le gain en sucres ajoutés tout en maintenant une quantité suffisante de perte en eau. En second lieu, des analyses par chromatographie liquide haute performance de la quantité et du profil en sucres individuels des mangues déshydratées dans les différentes solutions osmotiques, ont montré que la composition initiale de la mangue en différents sucres ainsi que la composition de la solution osmotique influencent le profil final en sucres. Une perte en sucrose et un gain en fructose et glucose ont été observés dans la mangue lorsque des solutions pauvres en sucrose ont été utilisées, permettant ainsi de moduler le profil final de sucres du produit. La présence d'inuline a été détectée dans la mangue après la déshydratation osmotique, ce composé prébiotique est bénéfique pour la flore intestinale et est une valeur ajoutée dans le produit final. Une analyse par microscopie électronique à balayage a permis d'observer le mode de dépôt des différents solutés sur la mangue au cours de la déshydratation osmotique, et ainsi déterminer les mécanismes par lesquels une réduction d'entrée de solides est possible. Finalement, des prétraitements de congélation/décongélation et de champ électrique pulsé ont permis de modifier la structure microscopique de la mangue avant de la soumettre à la déshydratation osmotique. Cette étape a montré que le type de prétraitement impacte l'effet sur le transfert de matières. La congélation/décongélation a augmenté le gain en sucres au détriment de la perte en eau, et l'effet du champ électrique pulsé (dans les écarts des variables utilisées dans cette étude) était négligeable sur le transfert de matières en général. Cependant, l'utilisation de solutions osmotiques à viscosité élevée a permis de réduire le gain en sucres dans le cas des mangues dont la structure cellulaire a été sévèrement endommagée par la congélation/décongélation. Cette thèse constitue une contribution dans la production de mangues déshydratées (et de fruits en général) ayant une teneur en sucres ajoutés réduite et des ingrédients fonctionnels tels que l'inuline qui est bénéfique pour l'organisme.Osmotic dehydration is a partial drying technique which necessitates low temperatures (less than 50°C), allowing product quality to be preserved compared to conventional drying. It allows product formulation throughout solutions rich in beneficial compounds, such as agave syrup which contains prebiotics (inulin). It is practical for preserving seasonal fruits such as mango which organoleptic and nutritional characteristics rank it among the most consumed fruits in the world. However, the impregnation of solutes (sugars or salts) increases the caloric content of products after osmotic dehydration. In addition, sucrose, the most used solute, is not suitable for certain consumers who are sucrose intolerant. Finally, the high content of sugars in food is incriminated in cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Therefore, this project aimed at optimizing mango osmotic dehydration process to produce osmotically dehydrated mangoes in agave syrup and with low sugar content. Firstly, viscosity and rheology of osmotic solutions of different compositions were characterized, followed by the osmotic dehydration of Tommy Atkins mangoes with thicknesses of 0.4 cm and 1.5 cm. The results showed that increasing solution viscosity, solutes molecules size, as well as mango thickness can reduce sugar gain while maintaining enough water loss. Secondly, high performance liquid chromatography results showed that initial composition of mango sugars as well as composition of osmotic solution influence the final sugar profiles of dehydrated mango. A loss in sucrose together with a gain in fructose and glucose have been reported in mango when osmotic solutions with low concentration of sucrose were used. Inulin was found in mango after osmotic dehydration in solutions containing inulin, this prebiotic compound is beneficial for gut microbiota and is therefore an added value in the final product. An analysis by scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the behavior of different solutes on the mango surface during osmotic dehydration allowing the understanding of the mechanisms by which solids gain could be reduced. Finally, freeze-thawing, and pulsed electric field pretreatments were applied to mango to modify its tissue structure before osmotic dehydration. Results indicated that the type of pretreatment impacts the mass transfer differently. Freeze-thawing increased sugar gain and negatively affects water loss, where as pulsed electric field effect was negligible on mass transfer in general. However, high viscosity osmotic solutions reduced sugar gain for frozen-thawed mango. This thesis contributes to the research field of processed mangoes and in general, processed fruits, with low sugar content together with added functional ingredients such as inulin which is beneficial for the gut microbiota

Statistical Optimization of Process Variables for Osmotic Dehydration of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in Sucrose Solution

The objective of this study was designed to elucidate the effects of temperature, solute concentration, and size diameter and process time on the osmotic dehydration of okras in sucrose solution. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with Central Composite Rotable Design (CCRD) was used with five levels and four factors (temperature, sucrose concentration, size diameter and process time) as independent variables, while water loss and solute gain as dependent (response) variables. The osmotic dehydration data was well fitted to a second-order quadratic polynomial regression model with high correlation coecient (R2 &gt; 0.90) using the Statistica program (v. 6.08). The quadratic regression models for the water loss and solute gain yielded signicant (p &lt; 0:05) and predictive results. The osmotic dehydration process was optimized for water loss and solutes gain. The predicted optimum conditions to achieve 39. 78 percent water loss and 10.16 percent solute gain were found to be: solute concentration, 49.28(% w/w); solution temperature, 40.79; sam- ple size diameter, 15mm and process time, 4.49hr. At this predicted optimum point, the observed water loss and solute gain were found to be 38.87 and 10.65(g/100g initial sample), respectively.Keywords: okra, optimization, osmotic dehydration, process variables, response surface, sucros

Optimization of osmotic dehydration of pineapple (ananas comosus l.) using the response surface methodology

The response surface methodology was used to optimize the effects of temperature (25 - 45⁰C) and citric acid concentration (0.5 - 2.5% w/w) in osmotic dehydration of pineapple in a sucrose solution. A 32 factorial design was used with weight loss (WL, %), moisture loss (ML, %) and solid gain (SG, %) as responses. The models obtained for all the responses were significant (P≤0.05) without a significant lack of fit. The results suggest that WL, ML and SG can reach 42.62%, 36.54% and 292.16% respectively, after 4 to 6 h of the process, with 100% sensory acceptance and reductions in microbial counts of more than two log cycles, using the conditions defined by the optimization (44.99⁰C and 2.48% citric acid)

Antioxidant Capacity of Nettle Leaves During Osmotic Treatment

Osmotic treatment (OT) of nettle leaves was assessed in various osmotic solutions (sugar beet molasses – SBM and ternary aqueous solution – TAS), at temperatures of 20, 35 and 50&nbsp;°C, under the atmospheric pressure. The influence of the kind of utilized osmotic solution, process temperature and osmotic time on the antioxidant activity (AOC), expressed with the spectrophotometric assays (ABTS, FRAP and DPPH), as well as two direct current polarographic assays, Hydroxo Perhydroxo Mercury (II) complex assay, based on the decrease of anodic current and assay based on the decrease of a cathodic current of Hg (II) reduction. For determination of the total phenolic content Folin-Ciocalteu assay was used. The Relative Antioxidant Capacity Index (RACI), obtained by setting equal weight for every involved assay was applied in order to get an extensive comparison among analyzed samples and between the used assays. Based on these results, after the OT of nettle leaves in TAS, the AOC decreased, while the OT in SBM increased AOC values. The phenolic antioxidant coefficients (PAC), calculated as the ratio between particular AO capacity and TPC, were used to achieve a more comprehensive comparison between analysed samples, as well as applied assays. The results of RACI evaluation revealed that the most favorable osmotic treatment is the one performed for 5h at 35 °C

The impact of alternate pretreatment methods and osmotic dehydration for the preservation of wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium)

This study investigated the effects of selected pretreatments and rigorous optimization of osmotic dehydration (OD) of lowbush blueberries using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to produce dehydrated blueberries with high antioxidants content and long shelf life. Fresh wild blueberries (WB) were initially pretreated and then subjected to osmotic dehydration before they were oven dried to the required level (18g/100g of fresh sample). Microwave pretreated WB had shown better moisture loss during osmotic dehydration as compared to other pretreatment methods investigated. The highest levels of phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanin content of the dehydrated WB were found to be 742.61 mg/100 g, 263.12 mg/100 g, and 428.11 mg/100 g dry mass respectively, at optimized temperature of 40 °C, for 5 h with 65% (w/w) Brix osmotic solution at 1:5 ratio of sample to Brix%. With rigorous optimization of the critical osmotic dehydration parameters high level of antioxidants could be retained in the dehydrated product. Wild blueberries pretreated in the microwave before osmotic dehydration and oven drying had shorter drying time of 5h compared to the control sample and significantly maintained a higher rehydration ratio (p<0.05) and lower shrinkage ratio compared to the oven dried control. Preliminary mathematical modeling of the process was also carried out to determine the mass transfer coefficients of the system. The results suggest that the drying process developed was a promising alternative method that decreases drying time, achieves high product quality, uses simple process steps for superior drying and retains higher level of antioxidant in the final product