Open Access
Effects of gaseous O3 and modified atmosphere packaging on the quality and shelf-life of partially dehydrated ready-to-eat pepper strips
(Springer, 2015-05-26) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Cantalejo Díez, María Jesús; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The efficacy of gaseous O3 (0.7 µl.l-1, 3 min) together with different modified atmospheres (5/5 and 10/5 kPa O2/kPa CO2, respectively) was investigated for extending the shelf-life of partially dehydrated red pepper strips stored at 8 ± 1 ºC. Changes in gas composition inside the packages, physicochemical, nutritional, sensory and microbiological quality were periodically evaluated. The best results were obtained in the O3-treated samples stored under a modified atmosphere of 5 kPa O2/5 kPa CO2. In effect, the reduction in the pH, the loss of lightness, red color and firmness and microbial growth were greater and were detected earlier in the control samples and in those peppers stored with 10 kPa O2. Based on these results, the shelf-life of the peppers held in 10 kPa O2/5 kPa CO2 was 42 days, whereas packing the peppers with 5 kPa O2/5 kPa CO2 extended the shelf-life of the samples up to 59 days. Thus, the combination of O3, partial dehydration and modified atmosphere packaging could be effective in maintaining the quality and extending the shelf-life of ready-to-eat partially dehydrated pepper strips.
Open Access
Postharvest handling of berries
(IntechOpen, 2017-09-13) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia
Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are highly appreciated fruits due to their unique taste and high content in antioxidant and bioactive compounds. They are rich in phenolic compounds, mostly flavonoids and anthocyanins, which are responsible for fruit color and can exert antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti¿inflammatory, anticancer, and cardioprotective effects. However, berries have a short storage life, as a result of their high respiration and softening rate, and susceptibility to mechanical damages and decay. As berries are considered non¿climacteric fruit, they must be harvested at, or near to full maturity, because they will not continue to ripen normally once detached. At this stage, the fruit presents appropriate organoleptic attributes but may become softer and more sensitive to mechanical damage. Thus, it is crucial to be extremely careful during harvest and postharvest handling and to sort, grade, and pack the berries in the field, avoiding excessive manipulation of the fruit. The most extended methods to maintain quality during the postharvest period are prompt precooling and storage at low temperatures. Modified and controlled atmospheres with up to 20-kPa CO2 and 5-10-kPa O2 reduce microbial growth and delay senescence but can affect bioactive compounds with a cultivar¿dependent response observed for these technologies.
Open Access
Effects of modified atmosphere packaging on quality and shelf-life of partially dehydrated red bell pepper
(ISHS, 2015) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Cantalejo Díez, María Jesús; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Open Access
Development of a new fresh-like product from 'Lamuyo' red bell peppers using hurdle technology
(Elsevier, 2013-01-01) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Cantalejo Díez, María Jesús; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
A new, fresh-like product from "Lamuyo" red bell peppers has been developed by combining partial dehydration and modified atmosphere packaging. The effects of different processing and storage conditions on the quality and shelf life of the partially dehydrated peppers were studied. Neither chlorine nor blanching treatments affected the quality of the dehydrated product. The best results were obtained with peppers cut in eight longitudinal strips (2e3 cm width), washed with tap water and dried for 6 h at 80 C and 10% RH. After this treatment, peppers did not need to be rehydrated for consumption. Whereas N2 and air-packed samples were spoiled after 5 and 10 d of storage at 8 C, respectively, an atmosphere with 3 ml/100 ml O2 and 5 ml/100 ml CO2 yielded the best results during the storage period. Under these conditions, all the physicochemical parameters studied remained stable and the ready-to-eat pepper strips were found to keep good aroma, visual quality and global impression. At the same time, the shelflife was extended up to 18 days at 8 1 C, limited mainly by fungal growth and the development of offodors inside the packages.
Open Access
Application of ozone for the postharvest treatment of fruits and vegetables
(Taylor & Francis , 2013-11-04) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Cantalejo Díez, María Jesús; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Fruits and vegetables consumption has risen noticeably during recent decades, leading to a greater frequency of foodborne illnesses associated with fresh produce. Novel industrial applications and improvements in ozone technology together with new regulatory actions worldwide have emerged in recent years, making its use in the food industry easier. This technology has attracted considerable commercial interest, especially because ozone does not leave any residues on the treated produce and it is also accepted by many organic grower organizations. However, discrepancies regarding the efficacy of this technology are often found in the bibliography and further research is still needed. These differences could be attributed to a great variability in the conditions of the research work: method of ozone generation and application, O3 concentration and exposure time to the gas, as well as the way in which produce is packed. In this sense, standardization in the working conditions and in the units to measure ozone concentration will be useful to better understand the mode of action and the effects of ozone on food products. Consequently, it would be possible to improve its potential as a sanitizer in the food industry.
Open Access
Effects of ozone and chlorine postharvest treatments on quality of fresh-cut red bell peppers
(Oxford University Press, 2012-06-20) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Cantalejo Díez, María Jesús; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The effects of chlorine (200 μL L¯¹), ozonated water (1 μL L¯¹) and gaseous ozone (0.7 μL L¯¹) on physicochemical attributes and microbial quality of minimally processed red bell peppers were studied. In all the experiments, O2 continuously decreased and CO2 concentration increased, the pH augmented and a significant softening was observed in all the fruits. By day 14, L* values decreased in all the fruits, with the greatest changes found in the chlorinated samples (approximately 12 units). Peppers treated with the aqueous solutions showed greater changes in the quality attributes with increasing washing times and especially when chlorine was used. The exposure for three min to gaseous O3 reduced the mesophiles, psychrotrophes and fungal populations of the fresh-cut peppers in 2.5, 3.3 and 1.8 log units, respectively. Combined with modified atmosphere, this could be an appropriate method to maintain the quality and extend the storage period of minimally processed red bell peppers.
Open Access
Postharvest quality of a thorny Andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth) cultivar
(ISHS, 2019-11-08) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Chanaguano, Diana; Dugarte, N. Y.; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Andean blackberries (Rubus glaucus Benth) are highly perishable due to their susceptibility to water loss, softening, mechanical injuries, and postharvest diseases. They are considered non-climacteric, and thus, sold at an advanced maturity stage when the fruit is more sensitive to mechanical damage and spoilage. Harvesting at the proper maturity stage and temperature control are two critical factors in reducing postharvest losses, maintaining quality and extending shelf-life of fruit and vegetables. In this study, the effects of harvest maturity and storage temperature on physicochemical quality of Andean blackberries were evaluated. Blackberries were harvested at maturity stages 3 (light red) and 5 (dark purple), packed in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) clamshells (200±10 g) and stored under room temperature (18±2°C) and cold storage (8±1°C) until visual symptoms of decay were detected. Weight loss was determined daily. Fruit diameter, length and weight were determined on day 1 and colour (L and °hue), firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), pH titratable acidity (TA) and maturity index (TSS/TA) were evaluated on day 1 and every 3 d during storage. The more immature fruit were classified as small and presented lower pH, TSS and maturity index together with higher TA, luminosity, °hue and firmness than the blackberries harvested at maturity stage 5, both at harvest and during storage. Weight loss gradually increased during the storage period in the fruit of both maturity stages with around 9 and 5% after 10 d under refrigeration and 4 d at room temperature, respectively. Refrigeration was effective in maintaining fruit quality and delaying softening and weight loss, with a shelf-life of 3 d at 18°C and up to 8 d in cold storage. The main limiting factors were microbial growth and softening and weight loss at 18 and 8°C, respectively.
Open Access
Antioxidant activity, organic acids and bioactive compounds of Andean blackberries (Rubus glaucus Benth)
(ISHS, 2019-11-25) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Arocena Elorza, José Ignacio; Chanaguano, Diana; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Andean blackberries are considered an important source of vitamins, minerals and different phytochemicals due to their high content in polyphenols, including anthocyanins, ellagitannins and phenolic acids, which present beneficial effects in human health and prevent chronic diseases. Among other factors, harvest maturity and postharvest conditions may affect the concentration of phenolics and the antioxidant activity of the berries. In this study, the effects of harvest maturity and storage temperature on antioxidant activity, organic acids and, polyphenols and anthocyanins concentration of Andean blackberries were evaluated. Blackberries were harvested at maturity stages 3 (light red) and 5 (dark purple), packed in PET clamshells (200±10 g) and stored under room temperature (18±2°C) and cold storage (8±1°C). Organic acids (citric, malic, ascorbic) and total anthocyanins were determined by HPLC, total phenolic content with the Folin-Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity by the DPPH method. The analyses were performed on day 1 and every 3 d during storage. At harvest, similar total organic acids, polyphenols and antioxidant activity were observed in the fruit from both maturity stages while the anthocyanins were significantly higher in the more mature fruit. What's more, some differences in the individual acids were observed. During storage and regardless of temperature, total organic acids, total anthocyanins and polyphenols content, and antioxidant activity increased in the fruit harvested at maturity stage 3. On the other hand, in the blackberries harvested at maturity stage 5, a decrease in the organic acids was observed while the anthocyanins, the phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity remained unchanged. According to the Ecuadorian Quality Standard, blackberries can be harvested as soon as they reach the stage maturity 3. However, at this stage the fruit presented a 5-fold lower anthocyanin content and could result unacceptable for consumers due to undeveloped full color.
Open Access
Andean blackberries (Rubus glaucus Benth) quality as affected by harvest maturity and storage conditions
(Elsevier, 2017) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Chanaguano, Diana; Arozarena Martinicorena, Íñigo; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia
Maturity stage at harvest and storage conditions are critical factors determining fruit postharvest quality. Physicochemical (fruit size, mass loss, color, firmness, pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity), microbiological (total aerobic mesophiles, psychrotrophes, and yeasts and molds) and sensory quality of Andean blackberries harvested at two maturity stages and stored under room (18 ± 2 °C) and cold storage (8 ± 1 °C) was studied. Total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and organic acids content, and antioxidant activity were also evaluated. The more mature fruit was classified as “big”, according to the Ecuadorian Standard and showed lower acidity and higher total soluble solids, anthocyanins content and sensory scores compared with the fruit harvested earlier, whilst maturity at harvest did not affect the microbial counts of any of the groups studied. Cold storage was effective in delaying weight loss, softening and microbial growth and also in maintaining a better sensory quality of the blackberries. What’s more, under refrigeration it was possible to extend the shelf-life of the fruit to up to 8 d. The main limiting factors for shelf-life were microbial growth and loss of firmness at room storage and cold storage, respectively. Based on these results, it would be advisable to harvest the fruit at maturity stage 5 in order to achieve an appropriate fruit size, a high anthocyanin concentration, a better sugars/ acids equilibrium, and a better sensory quality and the fruit should be maintained under refrigerated storage.