Inactivation kinetics of pectin methylesterase in orange juice as a function of pH and temperature/time process conditions

Abstract

AbstractPasteurisation of orange juice (OJ) is necessary to prevent spoilage due to microorganisms and enzymes, mainly pectin methylesterase (PME). PME has a higher thermal resistance than the bacteria and yeasts existing in OJ and therefore its inactivation is used as a parameter to define the time/temperature combination of the thermal process. The enzyme has isoforms with different activities and thermal resistances. A three‐parameter model can be used to describe the kinetics of PME inactivation, where the more and less thermally resistant fractions are represented. In this study the thermal inactivation kinetics was evaluated at six pH values (3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0 and 4.1), three minimal temperatures (82.5, 85.0 and 87.5 °C) and at least six holding times for each condition. It was found that the thermolabile PME fraction (a) was influenced by pH and processing temperature. A slower reaction rate constant (k1) was found for juices with pH values of 3.8 and 3.9 at the studied temperatures. The highest inactivation levels were obtained in juices with pH values of 3.6 and 3.7. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry