Quality Of Fresh-cut Products Research Articles

The effects of chitosan coating and vacuum packaging on quality of fresh‐cut pumpkin slices during storage

The quality of fresh-cut products can be improved by edible coatings and packaging. In this study, fresh-cut pumpkin slices, coated with chitosan and vacuum-packed, were stored at 4 and 10°C for 21 days. The effects of chitosan and vacuum packaging on color, microbiological load, and β-carotene content of samples were performed during storage. Texture analyses were conducted only on the first and last days of the period. Microbial counts of coated and vacuum-packed samples were restricted as compared to untreated samples. At both storage temperatures, β-carotene content and a* value of all samples increased while L*, b*, C*, and h° values decreased. Changes in β-carotene and color values (a*, b*, C*, and h°) were fitted to zero-order kinetics. The highest textural parameters were determined in coated and vacuum-packed samples. Both coated and vacuum-packed pumpkin slices stored at 4°C can be recommended especially for textural and microbiological quality. Novelty impact statement In this study, coated and vacuum-packed fresh-cut pumpkin slices with potential marketability, have been pointed out. It is noticed that chitosan coating combined with vacuum packaging provides a good preservation for fresh-cut pumpkin slices stored at low temperature. Chitosan can be proposed as an antimicrobial agent due to lower microbiological criteria in chitosan-treated pumpkin slices and vacuum packaging can be suggested a good barrier for keeping the color of the samples stored at low temperature.

Monitoring the effect of cutting blade sharpness on quality of fresh-cut product

Monitoring the effect of cutting blade sharpness on quality of fresh-cut product

Qualidade de cebola minimamente processada e armazenada sob refrigeração

Estudou-se o efeito do armazenamento refrigerado em cebolas, na vida útil e na qualidade de seu produto minimamente processado (PMP). Cebolas ´Superex', tipo comercial, foram armazenadas em câmara fria a 10°C e 60% UR, por 1; 16; 31; 61 e 91 dias. Nestas datas, amostras de bulbos foram minimamente processados e armazenados a 11°C e 61% UR. Estes produtos foram avaliados em dias alternados quanto à massa fresca e a aparência e a cada 2-3 dias quanto à coloração instrumental (luminosidade, ângulo Hue ou de cor e cromaticidade), teores de sólidos solúveis (SS) e de acidez titulável (AT) e atividade da aliinase. O armazenamento dos bulbos levou os PMP a menor perda de massa, até o agravamento da senescência, observada nos bulbos armazenados por 91 dias. Os produtos dos bulbos armazenados mantiveram aparência adequada até o 12°-13 dia, exceção feita aos bulbos armazenados por 91 dias que conservaram-na por apenas 9 dias. Os PMP tornaram-se mais amarelados, com ligeira redução nos teores de SS, aumento inicial nos de AT e redução na atividade da aliinase. As cebolas 'Superex' podem ser armazenadas a 10ºC e 60% UR por até 61 dias, com produção de produtos minimamente processados com vida útil de até 13 dias, a 11ºC e 61% UR.