Effect of Processing and Cooking on Physicochemical, Sensory, and Functional Properties of Food

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Engineering and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (9 April 2024) | Viewed by 29125

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Department of Food Science and Technology, Hungkuang University, Taichung 433304, Taiwan
Interests: food technology; food processing; functional food development; physicochemical quality characteristics; sensory quality characteristics; functional properties evaluation
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Dear Colleagues,

Food processing uses agricultural, livestock, and aquatic products as primary raw materials, which are processed by physical, chemical, and microbial methods to change their shape to increase preservation, acquire new properties, or produce functional foods. The global population is growing, and the demand for food is increasing. Therefore, to improve the circularity of the food system to optimize the use of natural resources, it is necessary to provide novel and innovative solutions for the entire food system. As a result, parts of the food system will change as food technology advances. For example, the development of plant-based meat products, which has received significant attention recently, has aroused extensive scientific interest. The food development process also causes changes in physicochemical, sensory, and microbiological quality properties, which also provide researchers with many interesting problems to solve.

This Special Issue of Foods aims to gather and present original research articles on the contribution of processing and cooking technologies to the physicochemical, sensory, and functional quality characteristics of foods. Food is broadly defined and ranges from ingredients and prototypes to products on the market, dishes, and even diets. This Special Issue welcomes original research articles and reviews that use food processing or cooking techniques to study foods’ physicochemical, sensory, and functional quality characteristics. Clear and concisely written manuscripts are highly desirable and appreciated.

Prof. Dr. Sheng-Dun Lin
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • food technology
  • food processing
  • food cooking
  • functional food development
  • physicochemical quality characteristics
  • sensory quality characteristics (appearance, flavor, texture, and overall quality)
  • antioxidant properties
  • bioactive compounds
  • functional properties evaluation

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Published Papers (16 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 5869 KiB  
Article
Physicochemical, Antioxidant, Starch Digestibility, and Sensory Properties of Wheat Bread Fortified with Taiwanese Cocoa Bean Shells
by Chun-Wei Wang, Hui-Shan Shen, Chih-Wei Yang, Pei-Ci Syu and Sheng-Dun Lin
Foods 2024, 13(17), 2854; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13172854 - 8 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1424
Abstract
The effects of replacing 5–25% of wheat flour (WF) with Taiwanese cocoa bean shells (CBSs) on the physicochemical, antioxidant, starch digestion, and sensory properties of the bread were studied. The lead (0.18) and cadmium (0.77) contents (mg/kg) of the CBSs were below the [...] Read more.
The effects of replacing 5–25% of wheat flour (WF) with Taiwanese cocoa bean shells (CBSs) on the physicochemical, antioxidant, starch digestion, and sensory properties of the bread were studied. The lead (0.18) and cadmium (0.77) contents (mg/kg) of the CBSs were below the Codex Alimentarius specifications for cocoa powder. Ochratoxin A and aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) were not detected in the CBSs. The CBSs were rich in dietary fiber (42.9%) and bioactive components and showed good antioxidant capacity. The ash, fat, protein, dietary fiber, crumb a* and c*, hardness, chewiness, total phenols, and antioxidant activities of the bread increased with an increasing CBSs level. The starch hydrolysis rate (45.1–36.49%) of the CBS breads at 180 min was lower than that of the control (49.6%). The predicted glycemic index of the bread (CBS20 and CBS25) with 20–25% of the WF replaced with CBSs was classified as a medium-GI food using white bread as a reference. In the nine-point hedonic test, the overall preference scores were highest for control (6.8) and CBS breads, where CBSs replaced 5–10% of WF, with scores of 7.2 and 6.7. CBS20 supplemented with an additional 20–30% water improved its volume, specific volume, and staling rate, but the overall liking score (6.5–7.2) was not significantly different from the control (p > 0.05). Overall, partially replacing wheat flour with CBSs in the production of baked bread can result in a new medium-GI value food containing more dietary fiber, bioactive compounds, and enhanced antioxidant capacity. Full article
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17 pages, 1129 KiB  
Article
Effect of Intermittent Low-Pressure Radiofrequency Helium Cold Plasma Treatments on Rice Gelatinization, Fatty Acid, and Hygroscopicity
by Ziyi Cao, Xingjun Li, Hongdong Song, Yu Jie and Chang Liu
Foods 2024, 13(7), 1056; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13071056 - 29 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1251
Abstract
To establish the safe and reproducible effects of cold plasma (CP) technology on food products, this study evaluated the gelatinization parameters, fatty acid profile, and hygroscopic properties of rice grains repeatedly treated with low-pressure radiofrequency (RF) helium CP (13.56 MHz, 140 Pa, 120 [...] Read more.
To establish the safe and reproducible effects of cold plasma (CP) technology on food products, this study evaluated the gelatinization parameters, fatty acid profile, and hygroscopic properties of rice grains repeatedly treated with low-pressure radiofrequency (RF) helium CP (13.56 MHz, 140 Pa, 120 W-20s, 0–4 times, and 300 g sample). Compared with the untreated (zero times) sample, with an increase in CP treatment times from one to four on rice, the water contact angle and cooking time decreased, while the water absorption rate and freshness index increased, and the pH value remained unchanged. CP repeating treatments essentially had no effect on the gelatinization enthalpy, but significantly increased the peak temperature of gelatinization. From the pasting profile of rice that has been repeatedly CP treated, the peak, breakdown, and setback viscosities in flour paste decreased. CP repeating treatments on rice did not change the short-range molecular order of starch. Compared with the untreated sample, the first helium CP treatment maintained the content of C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, and C18:3n3, but the second to fourth CP treatment significantly decreased contents of these fatty acids (FAs) as the C18:0 content increased. The first three CP treatments can increase the water and sucrose solvent retention capacity in rice flours. CP repeatedly treated rice first exhibits the similar monolayer water content and solid surface area of water sorption. Principal component analysis shows that contact angle, pasting parameters, and fatty acid profile in milled rice are quite sensitive to CP treatment. Results support that the effect of low-pressure RF 120W helium CP treatment 20 s on rice grains is perdurable, and the improvement of CP intermittent treatments on rice cooking and pasting properties is an added benefit, and the hygroscopic properties of rice was kept. Full article
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18 pages, 2200 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Volatile Flavor Compounds and Aroma Active Components in Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) across Various Cooking Methods
by Limei Xie, Shaoli Guo, Hongting Rao, Bingying Lan, Baodong Zheng and Ningning Zhang
Foods 2024, 13(5), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13050685 - 23 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1846
Abstract
To investigate the impact of various cooking methods on the volatile aroma compounds of button mushroom, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electronic nose (E-nose) were utilized for aroma analysis. The results indicated that the E-nose was able to effectively distinguish between the samples [...] Read more.
To investigate the impact of various cooking methods on the volatile aroma compounds of button mushroom, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electronic nose (E-nose) were utilized for aroma analysis. The results indicated that the E-nose was able to effectively distinguish between the samples prepared using different cooking methods. In the raw, steamed, boiled and baked samples, 37, 23, 33 and 35 volatiles were detected, respectively. The roasting process significantly contributed to the production of flavor compounds, giving button mushroom its distinctive flavor. Sixteen differential aromas were identified based on the p-value and VIP value. Additionally, the cluster analysis of differential aroma substances revealed a stronger odor similarity between the steamed and raw groups, consistent with the results of the OPLS-DA analysis of overall aroma components. Seven key aromas were identified through OAV analysis and omission experiments. In addition, 1-octen-3-one was identified as the main aroma component of cooked button mushroom. The findings of the study can be valuable for enhancing the flavor of cooked button mushroom. Full article
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20 pages, 7167 KiB  
Article
Nutritional and Technological Properties of Albino Peach Palm (Bactris gasipaes) from the Amazon: Influence of Cooking and Drying
by Stephanie Dias Soares, Orquídea Vasconcelos dos Santos, Leyvison Rafael Vieira da Conceição, Hilton Túlio Costi, José Otávio Carrera Silva Júnior, Francisco das Chagas Alves do Nascimento and Rosinelson da Silva Pena
Foods 2023, 12(23), 4344; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12234344 - 1 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1495
Abstract
This study aimed to subject the albino peach palm to cooking and drying processes and characterize the raw pulp (RP), cooked pulp (CP), raw pulp flour (RPF), and cooked pulp flour (CPF). The product’s chemical composition, bioactive compounds, and physicochemical, color, thermal, morphological, [...] Read more.
This study aimed to subject the albino peach palm to cooking and drying processes and characterize the raw pulp (RP), cooked pulp (CP), raw pulp flour (RPF), and cooked pulp flour (CPF). The product’s chemical composition, bioactive compounds, and physicochemical, color, thermal, morphological, and functional–technological properties were evaluated. The proximate composition showed that carbohydrates were the main constituents of all the products (69.59–72.08 g/100 g). The cooking process decreased the lipids (10.21 to 8.63 g/100 g), dietary fiber (13.64 to 12.81 g/100 g), and total sugar content (59.18 to 49.10 g/100 g) of the CP. The colorimetric parameters indicated a significant browning of the CP and CPF, which can be attributed to the Maillard reaction and lipid oxidation. After cooking, the total phenolic compound and ascorbic acid content decreased in the pulp. The RPF and CPF displayed different thermogravimetric behaviors. The spectral patterns in the infrared region showed the characteristic bands of organic compounds that are present in the structure of starches. The scanning electron microscopy showed amyloplast and fiber bundles with starches in the RP and gelatinized starch granules in the CP and CPF. The RPF presented small and heterogeneous starch granules with isolated amyloplast. The RPF and CPF showed different granulometric patterns and technological indices. The results suggest that the pulp and flour from the pulp of albino peach palms can be exploited by the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological industries. Full article
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15 pages, 1995 KiB  
Article
Correlation Analysis between Volatile Compounds and Quality Attributes in Pork Tenderloin in Response to Different Stir-Frying Processes
by Ziqiang Wang, Tianjie Nie, Huiying Zhang, Wenqian Wang, Haitao Chen, Shuqi Wang and Baoguo Sun
Foods 2023, 12(23), 4299; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12234299 - 28 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1259
Abstract
Volatile compounds and physicochemical properties of meat are significantly changed by cooking processes. This study explored the influence of different stir-frying temperatures and times on the dynamic changes of the physicochemical characteristics and volatiles of pork tenderloin and determined the correlation between them. [...] Read more.
Volatile compounds and physicochemical properties of meat are significantly changed by cooking processes. This study explored the influence of different stir-frying temperatures and times on the dynamic changes of the physicochemical characteristics and volatiles of pork tenderloin and determined the correlation between them. Results showed that time played more of a role than temperature. At the same temperature, the water content decreased (p < 0.05) and the cooking loss increased (p < 0.05) with stir-frying time extending. The L* value and the b* value showed first an increasing and then decreasing trend (p < 0.05), while the a* value significantly increased (p < 0.05). The higher the cooking temperature of sample, the faster the indexes changed. In stir-fried samples, 50 volatiles were identified. Correlation analysis showed that among the quality attributes, b* value and water content had the strongest impact on volatiles. The water content was negatively correlated with most of the compounds attributed to the desired aroma of stir-fried samples, while the correlation between the b* value and these volatiles was positive. Hence, changes in the types and contents of volatiles in stir-fried pork tenderloin could be predicted by detection of b* value and water content. Full article
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18 pages, 983 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Quality and Lipid Content of Artisan Sausages Produced in Tungurahua, Ecuador
by Lander Pérez, Rosa Pincay, Diego Salazar, Nelly Flores and Consuelo Escolastico
Foods 2023, 12(23), 4288; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12234288 - 28 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1876
Abstract
The consumption of sausage worldwide increases every year; because of this increase, artisanal products have appeared and are intended to be perceived as natural and healthy. Obesity and cardiovascular diseases associated with consuming meat and meat derivatives have been estimated to be the [...] Read more.
The consumption of sausage worldwide increases every year; because of this increase, artisanal products have appeared and are intended to be perceived as natural and healthy. Obesity and cardiovascular diseases associated with consuming meat and meat derivatives have been estimated to be the leading cause of death in several countries. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional quality, lipid content, and presence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, contributing to demonstrating the real nutritional value of artisanal sausages produced in Ecuador. Sausages from 10 factories in Ambato, Pelileo, and Píllaro, located in Tungurahua, Ecuador, were evaluated. The pH and acidity, color, proximal, sensory, microbiological, and lipid content were assessed. The pH and acidity showed a slight variation in all of the samples. Proximal analysis (moisture, protein, fat, and ash) established that the artisan sausages did not differ from the type of sausages reported in the literature. Microbiological analyses showed a good microbial quality, and there was no presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacteria, molds, or yeasts. The sensory attributes were similar for all of the sausages; the panelists did not notice any strange taste or odor. The lipid content showed that the artisanal sausages contained the highest percentage of palmitic, stearic, elaidic, and linolelaidic fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids were the most prevalent in all of the sausages collected from different locations. The results showed that the nutritional, microbiological, and sensory quality of the artisanal sausages did not show any parameter that would allow them to be classified as different or as having a better nutritional value. Full article
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12 pages, 2472 KiB  
Article
Variations in the Major Nutrient Composition of Dominant High-Yield Varieties (HYVs) in Parboiled and Polished Rice of Bangladesh
by Kazi Turjaun Akhter, Habibul Bari Shozib, Md. Hafizul Islam, Sneha Sarwar, Md. Mariful Islam, Md. Rubel Akanda, Muhammad Ali Siddiquee, Md. Mohiduzzaman, Abu Torab M. A. Rahim and Nazma Shaheen
Foods 2023, 12(21), 3997; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12213997 - 1 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2708
Abstract
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the principal staple food, a fundamental component of food security, a significant source of energy and major nutrients, and a key player in the overall nutritional status in Bangladesh. Parboiling is a common rice-processing treatment in Bangladesh. [...] Read more.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the principal staple food, a fundamental component of food security, a significant source of energy and major nutrients, and a key player in the overall nutritional status in Bangladesh. Parboiling is a common rice-processing treatment in Bangladesh. Recently, polishing has also become a common practice among millers seeking to attract consumers. Polishing may influence the nutrient composition of rice. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of parboiling and polishing on the nutritional content of the five High Yield Varieties (HYVs) of rice (BR11, BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29, BRRI dhan49, and BRRI dhan84) and their percent contributions to the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of vitamins and minerals. All of the rice samples were analyzed for proximate parameters, vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, and folate), and minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Na, K, P). Moisture, ash, fat, and total dietary fiber (TDF) were determined gravimetrically, according to the AOAC Official Methods; protein was measured by the Kjeldahl method; B-group vitamins were measured using Ultra Pressure Liquid Chromatography; and mineral content was determined by ICP-OES. The energy, protein, fat, and total dietary fiber (TDF) content of the samples ranged between 342–357 kcal/100 g, 6.79–10.74 g/100 g, 0.31–1.69 g/100 g, and 2.59–3.92 g/100 g respectively. Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxin, and folate content ranged from 0.11–0.25 mg/100 g, 0.01–0.05 mg/100 g, 2.82–6.42 mg/100 g, 0.12–0.30 g/100 g, and 5.40–23.95 g/100 g respectively. In a comparison of parboiling and polishing, macronutrients and vitamin retention were higher in parboiled unpolished rice than in polished unparboiled rice. The minerals (mg/100 g) Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Na, K, and P were in the ranges 32.82–44.72, 30.69–58.34, 0.51–0.70,1.83–2.79, 5.00–5.36, 106.49–112.73, and 162.23–298.03. Minerals of BRRI dhan84 were unaffected by polishing and parboiling. BRRI dhan84 contributed a higher percentage of RDA of all B vitamins and minerals. Therefore, to reduce nutrient loss in rice, industries and consumers should be encouraged to avoid polishing or limit polishing to 10% DOM and to consume unpolished rice, either parboiled or unparboiled. Full article
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12 pages, 1683 KiB  
Article
Effects of Casein Hydrolysate Prepared with Savinase on the Quality of Bread Made by Frozen Dough
by Hatice Bekiroglu, Gorkem Ozulku and Osman Sagdic
Foods 2023, 12(20), 3845; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12203845 - 20 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1388
Abstract
The effect of casein savinase hydrolysate (CSH) usage on frozen dough (1%, 1.5% and 2%, g/100 g flour) was investigated in terms of rheological, thermal and structural characteristics of wheat doughs and the textural and color properties of corresponding breads. Rheological measurements showed [...] Read more.
The effect of casein savinase hydrolysate (CSH) usage on frozen dough (1%, 1.5% and 2%, g/100 g flour) was investigated in terms of rheological, thermal and structural characteristics of wheat doughs and the textural and color properties of corresponding breads. Rheological measurements showed that CSH addition into dough led to a reduction in G′ and G″ values, but a similar trend was not observed in frozen dough samples. The increase in protein band intensity was observed for control dough (CD) after frozen storage (−30 °C, 28 days), while there were no increases in the band intensities of the doughs with CSH. The freezable water content of unfrozen doughs decreased gradually with the addition of CSH, dependent on concentration level. Frozen storage caused a notable reduction in the α-helices structure of the CD sample (p < 0.05) while no significant variation was observed for the doughs containing CSH (p > 0.05). The lowest specific volume reduction and hardness increment were observed for the breads containing 1.5% and 2% CSH. Frozen storage caused a significant reduction in the b* value of bread crust (p < 0.05), while no significant effect was observed for L* and a* value during frozen storage (p > 0.05). Overall, CSH incorporation into frozen dough can be an alternative that could reduce the quality deterioration of frozen bread. Full article
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13 pages, 1505 KiB  
Article
Vinegar-Preserved Sea Fennel: Chemistry, Color, Texture, Aroma, and Taste
by Sanja Radman, Petra Brzović, Mira Radunić, Ante Rako, Mladenka Šarolić, Tonka Ninčević Runjić, Branimir Urlić and Ivana Generalić Mekinić
Foods 2023, 12(20), 3812; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12203812 - 17 Oct 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1947
Abstract
The aim of this study was to produce non-fermented preserved sea fennel leaves in different pickle juices prepared with apple cider vinegar, wine vinegar and alcoholic vinegar, and to compare their chemical parameters (pH, titratable acidity and salt content), organoleptic properties (color and [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to produce non-fermented preserved sea fennel leaves in different pickle juices prepared with apple cider vinegar, wine vinegar and alcoholic vinegar, and to compare their chemical parameters (pH, titratable acidity and salt content), organoleptic properties (color and texture parameters; volatile aromatic compound profiles) and sensory attributes. The pH of the samples ranged from 3.49 to 3.64, the lowest being in the alcoholic vinegar sample and the highest being in the wine vinegar sample, while the titratable acidity and salinity were higher in the alcoholic vinegar pickle juice than those in the other two samples. The volatile aromatic compounds of the samples were also detected. The reddish color of the wine vinegar negatively affected the sea fennel color parameters (L* and b*), and was also negatively evaluated by the panelists, while the alcoholic vinegar maximally preserved the green tones of the leaf (a*). Firmness influences the quality perceived by consumers and was therefore also tested as one of the most important parameters for evaluating the textural and mechanical properties of the different products. All sensory parameters of the sea fennel preserved in alcoholic vinegar, namely color, texture, taste, aroma and overall impression, were given the highest scores, while the sample preserved in wine vinegar received the lowest scores. The intense aroma of the wine vinegar was described as a negative characteristic (off-flavor) of the sample. Full article
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18 pages, 12997 KiB  
Article
Cooking Methods for Preserving Isothiocyanates and Reducing Goitrin in Brassica Vegetables
by Thanaporn Panduang, Pakkapong Phucharoenrak, Weeraya Karnpanit and Dunyaporn Trachootham
Foods 2023, 12(19), 3647; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12193647 - 2 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2088
Abstract
Glucosinolates in Brassica vegetables can be hydrolyzed into various products, e.g., chemopreventive agents, isothiocyanates (ITCs) and anti-thyroid substance, goitrin. Cooking can reduce goitrin but destroy isothiocyanates. This study aimed to optimize cooking conditions for reducing goitrin while preserving isothiocyanates in Brassica vegetables. Cabbage [...] Read more.
Glucosinolates in Brassica vegetables can be hydrolyzed into various products, e.g., chemopreventive agents, isothiocyanates (ITCs) and anti-thyroid substance, goitrin. Cooking can reduce goitrin but destroy isothiocyanates. This study aimed to optimize cooking conditions for reducing goitrin while preserving isothiocyanates in Brassica vegetables. Cabbage and Chinese kale samples were divided evenly into raw, blanched, steamed, and water-based stir-fried samples. Cooking temperature and time were varied at 60, 80, or 100 °C for 2, 4, or 6 min. The levels of goitrin, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), and sulforaphane (SFN) were measured using LC-MS/MS. Response surface model (RSM) was used to identify the optimal cooking conditions to reduce goitrin but preserve ITCs. Results showed that goitrin content in cabbage depended on the cooking methods, temperature, and time, while that of Chinese kale only depended on the methods. In contrast, the concentrations of SFN in cabbage and BITC in kale depended on the cooking temperature and time but not methods. Based on RSM analysis, the suggested household cooking methods for preserving isothiocyanates and reducing goitrin are steaming cabbage at 80–100 °C for 4 min and stir-frying Chinese kale at 60–100 °C for 2 min. Such methods may preserve the bioactive compounds while reducing food hazards. Full article
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18 pages, 3839 KiB  
Article
Determining the Optimal Vacuum Frying Conditions for Silver Herring (Spratelloides gracilis) Using the Response Surface Methodology
by Hung-I Chien, Chiu-Chu Hwang, Yi-Chen Lee, Chun-Yung Huang, Shu-Chuan Chen, Chia-Hung Kuo and Yung-Hsiang Tsai
Foods 2023, 12(19), 3533; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12193533 - 22 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1488
Abstract
Vacuum frying (VF) is a selective technique for producing high-quality fried food that is mostly used on vegetables, fruits, and potato chips. It is rarely applied to the production of aquatic (especially fish) products. The purpose of this study is to explore whether [...] Read more.
Vacuum frying (VF) is a selective technique for producing high-quality fried food that is mostly used on vegetables, fruits, and potato chips. It is rarely applied to the production of aquatic (especially fish) products. The purpose of this study is to explore whether VF technology can be applied to the preparation of dried silver herring products and to obtain the optimal VF conditions. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to examine the factors affecting the quality of silver herring (Spratelloides gracilis) products after VF, namely temperature (75, 90, and 105 °C), duration (25, 35, and 45 min), and concentration (0, 15, and 30%) of maltose solution used to immerse the samples during pre-processing. The results indicated that VF temperatures had significant impacts on water activity (Aw), moisture content, yield, oil content, lightness (L* value), and colour difference (ÄE). The higher the VF temperature, the lower the Aw, moisture content, yield, and oil content of the product, but the higher the L* value and ΔE. Next, a longer VF duration resulted in higher oil content of the product. Maltose concentration was significantly and positively correlated with the yield and fracturability of the product. RSM analysis indicated that the optimal combination of processing conditions was a VF temperature of 105 °C, VF duration of 25 min, and maltose concentration of 27%. Under these VF conditions, the silver herring products had a moisture content of 3.91%, Aw of 0.198, oil content of 21.69%, L* value of 28.19, ΔE of 27.31, and fracturability of 359 g/s. In summary, vacuum frying technology is suitable for the preparation of dried silver herring products, and this study can provide the optimal processing conditions for seafood processors to obtain better quality. Full article
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14 pages, 4510 KiB  
Article
Quality Evaluation of Shiitake Blanched and Centrifuged Broths as Functional Instant Drinks
by Shin-Yu Chen, Jim Tseng, Cheng-Rong Wu and Sheng-Dun Lin
Foods 2023, 12(15), 2925; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12152925 - 1 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1476
Abstract
In the process of making mushrooms into vacuum-fried crisps, the resulting blanched broth (BB) and centrifuged broth (CB) are often discarded, thereby increasing the amount of wastewater and treatment costs. This study measured the proximate compositions, bioactive components, taste components, and minerals of [...] Read more.
In the process of making mushrooms into vacuum-fried crisps, the resulting blanched broth (BB) and centrifuged broth (CB) are often discarded, thereby increasing the amount of wastewater and treatment costs. This study measured the proximate compositions, bioactive components, taste components, and minerals of freeze-dried BB and CB and then used functional indigestible dextrin (Fibersol-2) as a carrier to make these two broths into instant drinks. The solids of the BB and CB contained protein (16.88–19.21%), fat (0.01–0.23%), ash (12.89–13.50%), carbohydrate (67.28–70.00%), sugars and polyols (40.55–45.68%), free amino acids (6.58–6.69%), 5′-nucleotides (0.98–1.47%), and bioactive components, especially polysaccharides (4.53–7.45%), ergothioneine (both 0.19%), and total phenols (0.15–0.36%). The equivalent umami concentration of BB was 2.77-fold higher than that of the CB. Both BB and CB showed compositions and essential minerals that are rich in taste. Using a nine-point hedonic test, it was found that the solid contents of BB and CB in the instant drink affected the consumer’s preference. The flavor and overall preference of instant drinks with 2.5% BB or CB were the best amongst consumers. Overall, the BB and CB were rich in nutrients and bioactive and taste components and could be developed as a functional food in the form of a drink. Full article
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17 pages, 4977 KiB  
Article
Effect of Ultrasonic Pretreatment on the Far-Infrared Drying Process and Quality Characteristics of Licorice
by Jianwei Shang, Qian Zhang, Tongxun Wang, Yanrui Xu, Zepeng Zang, Fangxin Wan, Yuanman Yue and Xiaopeng Huang
Foods 2023, 12(12), 2414; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12122414 - 19 Jun 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1769
Abstract
In this paper, the effects of different ultrasonic pretreatment processes on the far-infrared drying characteristics, quality indexes, and microstructure of licorice are evaluated. The results showed that ultrasonic pretreatment, combined with far-infrared drying, significantly reduced the drying time and moisture content of licorice [...] Read more.
In this paper, the effects of different ultrasonic pretreatment processes on the far-infrared drying characteristics, quality indexes, and microstructure of licorice are evaluated. The results showed that ultrasonic pretreatment, combined with far-infrared drying, significantly reduced the drying time and moisture content of licorice compared with those of the control group. The highest total flavonoid content was obtained at an ultrasound power of 80 W. The total phenolic content (0.686 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) was higher than that in the control group, the increase was 19.4%, and its content was the highest at the sonication frequency of 20 kHz. The antioxidant capacity tended to increase and then decrease with the increase in sonication time, sonication power, and sonication frequency, and was the highest at 30 min of sonication. The soluble sugar content (31.490 mg glucose equivalent/g) was the highest at 30 kHz and 30 min. Observation of the microstructure revealed that the surface structure of the ultrasonic pretreated licorice slices changed significantly, forming more micropore channels, which facilitated the mass heat transfer during the drying process. In conclusion, ultrasonic pretreatment can significantly improve the quality of licorice tablets and significantly reduce the time required for subsequent drying. The combination of pretreatment parameters of 60 W ultrasonic power and 40 kHz ultrasonic frequency for 30 min was found to be an optimal combination of pretreatment parameters; therefore, this study may provide a technical reference for the industrialization of licorice drying. Full article
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15 pages, 5068 KiB  
Article
Physicochemical, Antioxidant, Sensory, and Starch Digestibility Properties of Steamed Bread Fortified with Tamarillo Powder
by Pei-Ci Syu, Qi-Fang Zhang and Sheng-Dun Lin
Foods 2023, 12(12), 2306; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12122306 - 7 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1531
Abstract
The effects of lyophilized tamarillo powder (TP) on the physicochemical, antioxidant, sensory, and starch digestibility characteristics of steamed breads were studied. The TP was used to substitute 5–20% of wheat flour to make steamed breads, assigned as T5, T10, T15, and T20, respectively. [...] Read more.
The effects of lyophilized tamarillo powder (TP) on the physicochemical, antioxidant, sensory, and starch digestibility characteristics of steamed breads were studied. The TP was used to substitute 5–20% of wheat flour to make steamed breads, assigned as T5, T10, T15, and T20, respectively. The results showed that TP is rich in dietary fiber (36.45%). Its extract is rich in bioactive components, including phenolic compounds (28.90 mg GAE/g extract), ascorbic acid (3.25 mg/g extract), total anthocyanins (316.35 μg C3GE/g extract), and total carotenoids (12.68 μg βCE/g extract) and has good antioxidant capacity. As the level of TP increased, the color of steamed breads became darker, redder, and yellower; the texture became harder, and the overall consumption preference decreased. However, their bioactive components content and antioxidant activity increased. The starch hydrolysis percentage of T5 (43.82%), T10 (41.57%), T15 (37.41%), and T20 (35.63%) at 180 min was significantly lower than that of the control (49.80%) (p < 0.05). The in vitro predicted glycemic index (80.02) of T20 was categorized as a medium-GI food when bread was used as the reference. On a nine-point hedonic test, control and T5 had the highest overall preference scores (7.1–7.4). The T20 supplemented with extra 15–20% water improved its volume and specific volume, and the overall preference scores (7.4–7.5) were not significantly different from the control (p > 0.05). Overall, a partial replacement of wheat flour with TP in steamed bread making could be developed as a new type of medium-GI value food containing more bioactive components and effective antioxidant capacity. Full article
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19 pages, 17781 KiB  
Article
Effect of 3D Food Printing Processing on Polyphenol System of Loaded Aronia melanocarpa and Post-Processing Evaluation of 3D Printing Products
by Quancheng Zhou, Xijun Nan, Shucheng Zhang, Liang Zhang, Jian Chen, Jiayi Li, Honglei Wang and Zheng Ruan
Foods 2023, 12(10), 2068; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12102068 - 20 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1904
Abstract
Aronia melanocarpa polyphenols (AMP) have good nutritional values and functions. This study aimed to explore the printability and storage properties of AM gels in 3D food printing (3DFP). Therefore, 3DFP was performed on a loaded AMP gel system to determine its textural properties, [...] Read more.
Aronia melanocarpa polyphenols (AMP) have good nutritional values and functions. This study aimed to explore the printability and storage properties of AM gels in 3D food printing (3DFP). Therefore, 3DFP was performed on a loaded AMP gel system to determine its textural properties, rheological properties, microstructure, swelling degree and storage performance. The results revealed that the best loading AMP gel system to meet the printability requirements of 3DFP processing was AM fruit pulp:methylcellulose:pea albumin: hyaluronic acid = 100:14:1:1. Compared with other ratios and before 3DFP processing, the best loading AMP gel system processed by 3DFP exhibited the lowest deviation of 4.19%, the highest hardness, the highest elasticity, the least adhesion, a compact structure, uniform porosity, difficulty in collapsing, good support, a high degree of crosslinking, and good water retention. Additionally, they could be stored for 14 d at 4 °C. After post-processing, the AMP gel had a favorable AMP release rate and good sustained release effect in gastrointestinal digestion, which conformed to the Ritger–Peppas equation model. The results revealed that the gel system had good printability and applicability for 3D printing; as well, 3DFP products had good storage properties. These conclusions provide a theoretical basis for the application of 3D printing using fruit pulp as a raw material. Full article
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12 pages, 1375 KiB  
Article
Phytochemical-Rich Colored Noodles Fortified with an Aqueous Extract of Clitoria ternatea Flowers
by Sy-Yu Shiau, Yanli Yu, Jing Li, Wenbo Huang and Haixia Feng
Foods 2023, 12(8), 1686; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12081686 - 18 Apr 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2242
Abstract
Clitoria ternatea (CT) flowers are rich in phytochemicals. An innovative approach was taken to utilize CT flower extract (CTFE) as a functional ingredient with natural pigment by incorporating it into noodles. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the [...] Read more.
Clitoria ternatea (CT) flowers are rich in phytochemicals. An innovative approach was taken to utilize CT flower extract (CTFE) as a functional ingredient with natural pigment by incorporating it into noodles. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the CTFE amount (0–30%) on the color, texture, phytochemicals, and sensory quality of both dried and cooked noodles. Dried noodles with 30% CTFE had the highest total anthocyanins (9.48 μg/g), polyphenols (612 μg/g), DPPH radical scavenging capacity (165 μg TE/g), and reducing power (2203 μg TE/g). Cooking resulted in a significant decrease in the anthocyanin levels and blue color, while also increasing the greenness of the noodle. Both dried and cooked noodles with 20–30% CTFE showed a significantly higher color preference compared to the control sample. Despite a significant reduction in the cutting force, tensile strength, and extensibility of cooked noodles with 20–30% CTFE, the sensory attributes such as flavor, texture, and overall preferences were similar to those of noodles with 0–30% CTFE. Blue noodles with high phytochemicals, antioxidant activities, and desirable sensory qualities can be produced by the incorporation of 20–30% CTFE. Full article
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