Food Technology
Maryam Davtalab; Sara Naji-Tabasi; Mostafa Shahidi
Abstract
IntroductionRice is a strategic product and considered as staple food of over half of the world's population particularly in Iran. Considering the high levels of rice waste, including broken grains or those of lower quality, it can be utilized for producing value-added foods and reducing waste. Extrusion ...
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IntroductionRice is a strategic product and considered as staple food of over half of the world's population particularly in Iran. Considering the high levels of rice waste, including broken grains or those of lower quality, it can be utilized for producing value-added foods and reducing waste. Extrusion is a process widely used to improve food products and develop fortified foods. Quinoa flour is rich in phenols, and can be utilized to produce fortified extruded rice. The extrusion of gluten free flours like rice and quinoa has different challenges. In this study, sodium alginate was used to prepare emulsion filled gel to enhance the stability of Pickering emulsions containing β-carotene and also structuring rice during extrusion process. Pickering emulsion is one of the encapsulation methods suitable for encapsulating lipophilic compounds like β-carotene. Emulsion-filled gels, developed using hydrocolloid mixtures, significantly enhance emulsion stability and make them suitable for aqueous food environments. Finally, extruded rice based on a mixture of rice- quinoa flours and fortified with beta-carotene was prepared, and its physico-mechanical properties were evaluated.Materials and MethodsPickering emulsions were stabilized using whey protein- cress gum soluble complex nanoparticles. Beta-carotene was dissolved in the oil phase at a concentration of 0.1%. Subsequently, 4% (w/v) sodium alginate was used to develop emulsions filled-gel.The Pickering emulsion was dispersed in the sodium alginate gel at a ratio of 15:85. Extruded rice was then prepared using an equal ratio (50:50) of broken rice flour and quinoa flour via a cold extruder. To evaluate the impact of the gel-filled emulsion on improving the characteristics of rice grains, different concentrations (30%, 35%, and 40% w/w) of the gel-filled emulsion (based on flour weight) were added to the mixture. The physico-mechanical tests (moisture content, ash content, optimum cooking time, water absorption ratio, cooking loss, lateral expansion, textural characteristics of rice, color properties, sensory analysis, structural morphology, Beta-carotene stability) were conducted. Duncan test was utilized to identify statistically significant differences (p<0.05) among the means, while one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to investigate the impact of various factors. Results and DiscussionThe incorporation of emulsions filled-gel into quinoa-rice blend significantly influenced the physico-mechanical properties of extruded rice. As the concentration of emulsions filled-gel increased from 30% to 40% (w/w), there was a significant increase in moisture content, ash content, expansion ratio, and cooking time. Extruded rice samples with emulsion-filled gel exhibited significantly greater β-carotene stability than those without, both after cooking and during storage. Conversely, adhesiveness decreased while hardness increased with increasing emulsion filled-gel concentrations. The control sample exhibiting the highest adhesiveness and lowest hardness. The lightness of the extrudates was also improved with increasing emulsion filled-gel levels, reaching a maximum at 40% (w/w). Sensory evaluation revealed that the 40% emulsion filled-gel level was the most preferred sample by panelists. The optimized extruded rice closely resembled natural Hashemi rice in terms of sensory and textural properties.ConclusionThe findings of this study demonstrate that the addition of emulsions filled-gel enriched with beta-carotene can effectively enhance the physico-mechanical properties of extruded quinoa-rice blends. Specifically, increasing the emulsion concentration resulted in improving expansion, textural, and appearance properties of the rice. 40% emulsion filled-gel was found to be optimal, resulting in a product with desirable sensory attributes. This research proposes that extruded rice based on mixed rice-quinoa flours enriched with beta-carotene-loaded emulsion-filled gel can provide a nutritious and appealing alternative to broken rice products, leveraging the nutritional benefits of quinoa. Sensory and textural evaluation revealed that the extruded rice exhibited sensory properties highly similar to natural Hashemi rice, coupled with favorable cooking characteristics. Consequently, it can be introduced as a suitable substitute for natural rice.
Food Engineering
Mohammad Reza Salahi; Seyed Mohammad Ali Razavi; Mohebbat Mohebbi
Abstract
Introduction Emulsion-filled gel is a sort of gel system that traps oil droplets as a filler and contains a wide range of semi-solid to solid food products. It can also be utilized as a dual system to distribute and control the release of both lipophilic and hydrophilic bioactive and micronutrient ...
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Introduction Emulsion-filled gel is a sort of gel system that traps oil droplets as a filler and contains a wide range of semi-solid to solid food products. It can also be utilized as a dual system to distribute and control the release of both lipophilic and hydrophilic bioactive and micronutrient substances. The main polymers involved in gel formation in food products are proteins and polysaccharides. Using molecular interactions between biopolymers, a wide range of rheological and physicochemical properties of gels can be methodically created. As a result, the interaction between proteins and polysaccharides has received a lot of attention in order to generate novel products. Because of their functional qualities and high nutritional value, whey proteins are frequently used in the food industry. As a result, mixed gels based on whey protein have gained a lot of attention. k-Carrageenan is commonly utilized in the food industry as a gelling and firming agent. Because k-Carrageenan, like whey protein isolate, can form a gel independently, its interaction with whey protein isolate in emulsion gel systems appears appealing. Therefore, in this study, the effect of k-Carrageenan gum (0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7%) on the textural (uniaxial compression test), rheological (steady shear, strain sweep, and frequency sweep tests), and water holding capacity of cold-set emulsion-filled gel based on whey protein isolate was investigated. Materials and Methods Whey protein isolate (WPI) (98.9% protein, dry basis) was given as a gift by Agropur Ingredients Co. (Le Sueur, Minnesota, USA). -Carrageenan and CaCl2 ( : 147.01 gr/mol) were purchased from Sigma Aldrich Co. (USA) and Merck Co. (Darmstadt, Germany), respectively. Sunflower oil was supplied from local supermarket. Stock dispersions of WPI and -Carrageenan were prepared by dissolving sufficient amounts of their powders in deionized water. To prepare uniform oil in water emulsion, sunflower oil was added to the WPI dispersion and the obtained mixture homogenized first using a laboratory rotor-stator homogenizer (15000 rpm, 3 min), then by an ultrasonic homogenizer (20 kHz, 5 min). The prepared emulsion and -Carrageenan dispersions were poured into Schott bottles and heated in a water bath (90 °C, 40 min). WPI emulsion and AG dispersion were mixed in a cylindrical container on a stirring plate at a speed of 600 rpm for 6-8 min to obtain a homogeneous mixture. After decreasing the temperature to 60 °C for the ion-induced gelation, the mixtures were charged with CaCl2 (10 mM). The prepared samples were incubated in a refrigerator overnight to stabilize the 3D network. The final mixed EFG samples contained 5.5% WPI, 20% oil, and 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7% (w/w) of k-carrageenan. The tests performed on emulsion-filled gel samples were: 1) steady shear (0.01-10 s-1), 2) strain sweep (strain: 0.1-1000%, frequency: 1 Hz), 3) frequency sweep (frequency: 0.1-100 Hz, strain: 0.5%), 4) uniaxial compression (target strain: 80%, deformation speed:1 mm/s), and 5) water holding capacity (by utilizing a microcentrifuge, 600×g for 10 min). Results and Discussion According to the results of steady shear test, all samples had a shear thinning behavior, and based on the power-law model, this behavior was intensified in the presence of k-Carrageenan; and with increasing the gum concentration from 0 to 0.7%, the consistency coefficient increased from 339.9 to 545.7 Pa.s. In the strain sweep test, with the increase in the gum concentration, the values of the elastic and viscous modulus in the linear region and the modulus at the crossover point increased, and tan dLVE decreased from 0.17 to 0.13, which indicated an increase in the strength of the emulsion gel network structure. Based on the frequency sweep test, with the increase in k-Carrageenan concentration, the parameters and , network strength and network expansion increased from 5311.8 Pa, 939.9 Pa, 1.5380 Pa.s1/z and 10.05 in the control sample to 25080 Pa, 3574.9 Pa, 16097.7 Pa.s1/z and 16.41 in the sample containing 0.7% k-Carrageenan, respectively. Moreover, the frequency dependency of elastic modulus decreased from 0.095 in the control sample to 0.050 in the 0.7% k-Carrageenan contained sample. According to the large deformation test, in general, in the composite emulsion-filled gels, the values of apparent modulus of elasticity and fracture stress were higher and fracture strain and fracture energy were lower than in the control sample. Also, the results showed that different k-Carrageenan concentrations had no significant effect on the water holding capacity. ConclusionThe obtained results showed that k-Carrageenan had considerable influence on the rheo-mechanical features of cold-set emulsion-filled gels based on whey protein which can add to the knowledge base for the production of new functional foods.
Food Technology
Soheyl Reyhani Poul; Sakineh Yeganeh
Abstract
Introduction: Shrimps are highly sensitive to oxidation at refrigerator temperature. On the other hand, storage of shrimp in freezing conditions leads to a decrease in product quality after thawing. It should be noted that shrimp oxidation also occurs in freezing conditions, but the oxidation rate in ...
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Introduction: Shrimps are highly sensitive to oxidation at refrigerator temperature. On the other hand, storage of shrimp in freezing conditions leads to a decrease in product quality after thawing. It should be noted that shrimp oxidation also occurs in freezing conditions, but the oxidation rate in these conditions is much slower than storage in refrigerated conditions. Therefore, it seems necessary to use a method that can control the oxidation of shrimp in both freezing and refrigerating conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of controlling shrimp oxidation (at refrigerator temperature) using whey protein coating containing ascorbic acid or α-tocopherol, and to compare the efficacy of these antioxidants (in combination with whey protein). Materials and Methods: In order to advance the purpose of the research, shrimp fillets were stored in four treatments, including treatments No. 1 (control), 2 (shrimp fillet coated by whey protein), 3 (shrimp fillet coated by whey protein + ascorbic acid) and 4 (shrimp fillet coated by whey protein+ α-tocopherol) at refrigerator temperature for 9 days. In order to evaluate the oxidation intensity and also the stability of the treatments against oxidative damage, peroxide indices, free fatty acids, anisidine and thiobarbituric acid of the treatments were determined on days 0, 3, 6 and 9. This study was implemented in form of completely randomized design and data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Significant differences among means were tested by Duncan's test at 95 confidence level. Results and Discussion: The results showed that whey protein alone (treatment 2) as shrimp coating can partially control the oxidation process of fillet fats compared to control. But when whey protein was combined with ascorbic acid (treatment 3) and α-tocopherol (treatment 4), the coatings' strength against oxidative deterioration significantly increased (p<0.05). According to our findings, during the storage period, the lowest amount of peroxide, free fatty acids, anisidine and thiobarbituric acid indices were related to treatment 3 (p<0.05). During the storage period, all the mentioned indicators (in all treatments) had an increasing trend, but the slope of this trend was different and the lowest slope was related to treatment 3. Comparison of fresh shrimp fillet fatty acid profile with fatty acid profile of treatments at day 9 showed that the whey protein coating combined with ascorbic acid (treatment 3) had the most protective effect on the structure of fatty acids. Overall, according to the results of the present study, it can be claimed that whey protein- ascorbic acid coating is more effective than whey protein-α-tocopherol coating to increase the oxidative stability of shrimp fillet. Therefore, the ascorbic acid is more efficacious than α -tocopherol (in combination with whey protein) in controlling the oxidation of shrimp fillets.
Food Technology
Zahra Kholoosi; Mostafa Mazaheri Tehrani; Seyed Mohammad Ali Razavi
Abstract
Introduction: Proteins and polysaccharides are natural biopolymers that consider among the most widely used hydrocolloids in the food industry (Gaonkar and McPherson 2006) Which are often used simultaneously to improve functional properties. In electrostatic interaction, positively charged proteins with ...
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Introduction: Proteins and polysaccharides are natural biopolymers that consider among the most widely used hydrocolloids in the food industry (Gaonkar and McPherson 2006) Which are often used simultaneously to improve functional properties. In electrostatic interaction, positively charged proteins with polysaccharides containing negative groups below the protein isoelectric point (PI) (LEE, MORR, and HA 1992), Leads to the formation of macromolecular particles by creating molecular aggregates rich in biopolymers suspended in the aqueous phase, called complex coacervate, which cause the coagulation and spontaneous separation of the phase. The ratio of protein-polysaccharide biopolymers and the pH of the mixture are important factors influencing the adsorption and compatibility of protein- polysaccharides as well as the characteristics of their aggregates (Shu et al. 1996). For this purpose, the optical density (turbidity) of protein-polysaccharide mixtures and the yield of dried sediments in this study as a basis for optimizing the complex coacervate process as in previous studies (Wang, Adhikari, and Barrow 2014; Huang et al. 2012) were used. In the present study, the optimization of complex coacervate formation conditions of whey protein concentrate-cress seed gum as well as the foaming properties of complex coacervate were studied for the first time. Whey proteins, as amphiphilic macromolecules, can adsorb at the interface (Scheer, Kruppke, and Heib 2001; Tamm et al. 2012; Wierenga and Gruppen, 2010) and form a viscoelastic adsorbent layer (Wilde 2000). Also, whey protein acts as a foaming agent with the ability to be adsorbed at the joint water-oil and water-air interface through hydrophobic interactions or disulfide bridges, and intermolecular bonds (Nicorescu et al. 2008; Nicorescu et al., 2008; Dickinson, 1992; Forschen, 2017). Cress seed gum has rheological, emulsifying, favorable foaming properties and is stable in a wide range of heat, cold, salt, and pH with synergistic effects in the presence of sugars (sucrose, lactose). These properties are important in stabilizing emulsions and foams. The general purpose of this study was to achieve the optimal point of electrostatic interaction of different ratios of whey protein concentrate with cress seed gum in the pH range of 2 to 7 using response surface methodology and to investigate the foaming properties of the coacervate complex at the optimal point in comparison with Pure control protein in the same ratio. Materials and Methods: The raw materials of this study included cress seed, whey protein concentrate with 80% purity (from Milli com., Germany), and hydrochloric acid with 37% purity (from Merck Com.). Different protein-polysaccharide mixtures were prepared to optimize the electrostatic interaction with the ratio of biopolymers (1: 5 to 5: 1 w / w) and pH of interaction (2 to 7). Mixtures, in the ratio determined by the software and the total concentration of biopolymer (0.3%), were prepared, and after 15 minutes of stirring and equilibration with the environment, were adjusted by hydrochloric acid of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 (n) to the desired pH, and stirred for 5 minutes at each pH with a magnetic stirrer at 400 rpm. Optical Density (OD) of protein: polysaccharide mixtures was evaluated by visible-ultraviolet optical spectrophotometry (Unico, Model S-2150, USA). To optimize the electrostatic complex coacervation process, the coacervation yield was determined. The result of the interaction of whey protein concentrate and cress seed gum as a function of pH and protein to gum ratio was investigated by measuring the sediment phase. For investigation of the foaming properties, the dispersions were homogenized using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T25 Digital) for 5 minutes at a speed of 10,000 rpm. After recording the sample volume in the dimension and before homogeneity, the foaming capacity was calculated. To determine the stability of the foam, changes in the volume of the samples were recorded and calculated after 30 minutes of foaming. In this study, the effect of two independent variables including the ratio of biopolymers in the range of 0.2-5 (w/w) and the pH within the range of 2 to 7 were analyzed using Design-Expert software based on two responses including turbidity and yield by the combined central design (CCD) with 5 replications to optimize the electrostatic interaction of whey protein concentrate with cress seed gum.Results and Discussion: The results obtained by using response surface methodology showed that the independent variables (ratio of whey protein to cress seed gum and pH) in this study affected the studied responses (turbidity and sediment percentage), although pH had the greatest effect. Optimal conditions for the formation of the maximum protein-polysaccharide coacervate complex were obtained in the ratio of protein to polysaccharide 5: 1 (w / w) and pH 4.24. The results of foaming properties at the optimal point showed an increase in foaming capacity and foam stability compared to pure protein (control sample). This increase in foaming properties is probably due to the presence of cress seed gum and its effect on the formation of a thick viscoelastic film, improved protein adsorption at the interface, and increased bulk phase viscosity.
Mohsen Zandi
Abstract
The aim of the current research was to identify and develop an ideal delivery system in order to protect the vitamin from gastrointestinal conditions. For this purpose, vitamin loaded Alginate-Whey protein micro gels (AL-WPC MGs) developed as a biopolymer carrier. This microcapsule was examined in terms ...
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The aim of the current research was to identify and develop an ideal delivery system in order to protect the vitamin from gastrointestinal conditions. For this purpose, vitamin loaded Alginate-Whey protein micro gels (AL-WPC MGs) developed as a biopolymer carrier. This microcapsule was examined in terms of morphology, ζ-potential particle size and distribution, encapsulation and delivery efficiency, and in vitro gastric and intestinal digestions. Absorbance method was used to monitor B-complex vitamins release over time at the simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Release experiments illustrated beneficial attributes for these microspheres. Release mechanism was predicted by using various kinetic equations. Results indicated that the most of the fabricated spherical shaped AL-WPC MGs was under 100 μm in size, and these microcapsules had an excellent and moderate stability in gastric and intestinal conditions, respectively. It was found that the highest vitamin release rate occurs in the simulated gastric-intestinal situation, and type of the vitamin had a slight effect on the release rate and release profile. Kinetic models suggested that release from group B vitamins mainly was controlled by Fickian diffusion mechanism. In general, this research showed that the AL-WPC MGs protect the vitamin from gastric digestion and could be used as a delivery system.In previous works, a novel AL-WP MGs and use for different active agent encapsulation was developed, while the final purpose of this work was to study the vitamin release mechanism from AL-WPC MGs at the gastro–intestinal situation. Accordingly, this microcapsule showed the highest vitamin release rate at the simulated intestinal situation. This high release could be due to instability of alginate in neutral pH, and also enzymatic digestion of whey protein. The better release of vitamin at intestinal condition is desirable to achieve the nutrient effect during food consumption. This micro gel therefore appears to be potentially beneficial as digestion delivery vehicles for bioactive compounds in the food and nutraceuticals industry as well as non-food industry.
Sanaz Ghassemi; Seyed Mahdi Jafari; Morteza Khomeiri; Elham Assadpour
Abstract
Orange peel oil,a widely used industrial flavoring, is volatile and chemically unstable in the presence of air, light, moisture and high temperatures. Biopolymer Nano complexes, a bunch of Nano carriers, are produced between groups of charged polysaccharides and proteins with the use of electrostatic ...
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Orange peel oil,a widely used industrial flavoring, is volatile and chemically unstable in the presence of air, light, moisture and high temperatures. Biopolymer Nano complexes, a bunch of Nano carriers, are produced between groups of charged polysaccharides and proteins with the use of electrostatic interactions. The nanoparticles are able to carry, protect, and increase their bioavailability of food-drug materials. Hence, in this study, the Nano complexes of pectin- whey protein concentrate, as a carrier of orange peel oil, were produced and the features of prepared Nano complex solution with various concentrations of whey protein (4, 6 and 8%), pectin (0.5, 0.75 and 1%) and different values of pH (3, 6 and 9) were studied. The Viscosity, stability and color (index L *) of the treated designs, done in a response surface methodology, were examined. The results showed that whey protein 4% and pectin 1%( with a pH of 3 and 9) had the lowest and highest stability respectively. Also this treatment with a pH of 3 showed the highest viscosity as well as the highest L *. The lowest viscosity was achieved by whey protein 6% and pectin 0.75% with a pH of 3, and because of the unbalanced compound, the complex did not form and a phase separation occurred. The lowest L * was obtained by whey protein 4% and pectin 0.5% with a PH of 9. Ultimately, whey protein 4% and pectin 1% with a PH of 3 were selected as the optimum sample because of formation the strong and suitable complex. Particle size and zeta potential measurement of optimum sample, were 160 nm and -0.53 mV respectively.
Samira Abbaspour Monjezi; Mohammad Reza Edalatian Dovom; Mohammad Bagher Habibi Najafi; Arash Koocheki
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays, consumers prefer foods produced without synthetic preservatives. These chemical preservatives have been gradually replaced by natural preservatives in formulation of edible films and coating. Since, edible films can be applied as carriers of antimicrobial agents, so, these aforementioned ...
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Introduction: Nowadays, consumers prefer foods produced without synthetic preservatives. These chemical preservatives have been gradually replaced by natural preservatives in formulation of edible films and coating. Since, edible films can be applied as carriers of antimicrobial agents, so, these aforementioned ingredients can be incorporated in such films. Among edible films, protein-based films such as whey protein concentrate (WPC)-based films are more attractive because they also supply valuable nutrients and introduce acceptable mechanical resistance. On the other hand, these films present moderate barriers to moisture due to the hydrophilic nature of whey proteins. Essential oils (Eos) can be incorporated in to edible films in order to compensate (overcome) this defect. Since no published research has been found on integrating mastic tree sap (Pistacia atlantica sub sp. kurdica) essential oil into whey protein edible films, this essential oil was applied for WPC-based film in this research. Some species belong to Penicillium have been known as contaminants of dairy and fruit products. Among Penicillium sp., P. expansum is more popular for causing post-harvest damage of apples. In this study, our objective was focused on mechanical and anti-fungal properties of WPC-based films incorporated with mastic gum essential oil.
Materials and methods: WPC, mastic tree sap and P. expansum were obtained from Multi Milk Company, Kurdistan mastic Gum Company and Persian Type Collection Culture, respectively. Extraction of EO from mastic gum was accomplished using water distillation or hydro distillation with the help of Clevenger-type apparatus for 5 hours to obtain a pale yellow oil. Solution (10%w/w) of WPC in distilled water was prepared. Glycerol (as plasticizer) was added to WPC solution at a ratio of 1:1 WPC: Glycerol. Then concentrations of EO (1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 ppm) was added to solution and mixed for 2 min. In the next step, some characteristics of film were measured including: thickness and density, water solubility, stability in acidic and alkaline solutions, water vapor permeability and light transmission / film transparency. Some mechanical properties of films such as tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (%E) of films were also determined.
Regarding microbial assays, following the activation and preparation of fungi spore, MIC was determined using Agar Dilution Method. Determination of antimicrobial activity of film was performed according to film disk agar diffusion assay
Results & Discussion: With increasing essential oil concentration, film thickness exhibited increasing trend which was due to entrapment of micro-droplets of essential oil in film. Along with increasing EO concentration in film samples, WVP declined significantly (P-value
Meysam Abediyan; Seyed Hamidreza Ziaolhagh; Ali Najafi
Abstract
Introduction. Apricot is a soft fruit that normally does not have any resistance to transportation and storage conditions. In addition, apricots are climacteric fruits, produces high levels of ethylene during ripening process and have a high respiration rate. For this reason, they are very susceptible ...
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Introduction. Apricot is a soft fruit that normally does not have any resistance to transportation and storage conditions. In addition, apricots are climacteric fruits, produces high levels of ethylene during ripening process and have a high respiration rate. For this reason, they are very susceptible to physiological and microbial spoilage and have a very short shelf life. Thus, it is difficult to export this product with good quality and low waste or it is very limited. Application of edible coatings could increase the storability of apricots and delay their spoilage. Edible coatings cover the surface of the fruit and function as a barrier against water vapor, respiration gasses, and microorganisms. The effect of different natural polymers as edible coatings on the quality and shelf life of different fruits has been investigated by many researchers. Chitosan has been used in the formulation of edible coatings to extend the shelf life of citrus, papaya, strawberries and grapes (Arnon et al. 2014; Ali et al. 2011; mehrzad et al. 2011; Mostofi et al. 2011). Apples coated with whey protein concentrate showed more lightness compared with non-coated ones (Perez-Gago et al. 2006). In most studies, the effects of single edible coatings on the quality of fruits have been studied. In this research the quantitative and qualitative changes during ripening and cold storage of apricots coated with different formulations of whey protein concentrate, sodium alginate and chitosan were studied.
Materials and methods "Rajabali" variety apricots were picked up at optimum maturity and damaged ones were separated. Edible coating solutions were prepared by dissolving different amounts of whey protein concentrate, sodium alginate and chitosan in to distilled water. Glycerol was used as plasticizer. The apricots were dipped in the prepared solutions with different concentrations for at least five minutes. Then they were stored for 35 days at 2°C. Some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of coated apricots, such as weight loss, acidity, color, texture, shrinkage, browning reactions, vitamin C, and microbial load were determined after 0 and 35 days of storage. The results were analyzed by response surface methodology based on central composite design with five replications at the central point.
Results & discussion. The statistical analysis of the results by central composite design (CCD) indicated that the different concentrations of whey protein did not have any significant effect on weight loss during storage. The weight loss decreased as the concentration of sodium alginate and chitosan increased. Chitosan and sodium alginate had an important role in maintaining firmness. The firmness of apricots were highest at the upper limit of sodium alginate (1%) and chitosan concentrations (2%). The b* (yellowness) and L* (lightness) values of the apricots were increased as the concentration of chitosan was increased and the concentration of sodium alginate decreased. No significant difference was observed between the a* values (redness) of apricots treated with different coatings. In addition, the acidity of the apricots was increased by increasing the concentration of chitosan and decreased by increasing the concentration of sodium alginate. Browning of the coated fruits was also increased as the concentration of chitosan was increased to 1%. Increasing the concentration of sodium alginate increased the shrinkage of the apricots at low concentrations of whey protein concentrate and decreased it at high concentrations of whey protein concentrate. It was also shown that increasing concentrations of chitosan would reduce microbial load. The optimization of the formulations with Design Expert software showed that the best formulation of edible coating for preserving apricots was 1.45% of chitosan, 1.25% of alginate, and 0 percent for Whey protein concentrate.
