Search

The transformation of value-added solar-dried banana to banana syrup, which contains very high levels of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), is attractive. It has promising economic potential for the nutraceutical and functional food industry. In this study, the near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was used for the detection of 1-kestose (GF2), nystose (GF3), 1F-fructofuranosylnystose (GF4), and total FOS in solar-dried banana syrup in the spectral region of 4000–12,000 cm−1. Partial Least Squares (PLS) were applied to build the regression models. Considering the highest coefficient of determination (R2) and the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) of prediction, the prediction model of GF2 and GF3 yielded the greatest when original spectra at the optimization wavelength region was used. At the same time, the SNV procedure exhibited the best for the prediction model of GF4 and total FOS. Therefore, NIR spectroscopy with the PLS technique can be suitably applied for the rapid detection of FOS in solar-dried banana syrup.

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using the computer vision system (CVS) for monitoring color and surface oil content of durian chips during post-frying cooling. The results revealed the browning index values increased with cooling time, while surface oil content decreased. A high linear correlation of browning index as well as surface oil content and cooling time was observed (R2 > 0.92). The image-processing technique can effectively be used to describe browning index and surface oil content of fried durian chips as it yielded a very high correlation (R2 > 0.94). This technology exhibits great potential as a reliable, rapid, consistent, and non-destructive tool for process optimization and quality control of fried products.

The effect of the pulsed-vacuum stimulation (PVS) on the external gelation process of calcium-alginate (Ca-Alg) hydrogel balls was studied. The process was conducted at four different working pressures (8, 35, 61, and 101 kPa) for three pulsed-vacuum cycles (one cycle consisted of three repetitions of 10 min of depressurization and 10 min of vacuum liberation). The diffusion coefficients (D) of calcium cations (Ca2+) gradually reduced over time and were significantly pronounced (p &lt, 0.05) at the first three hours of the external gelation process. The rate of weight reduction (WR) and rate of volume shrinkage (Sv) varied directly according to the D value of Ca2+. A significant linear relationship between WR and Sv was observed for all working pressures (R2 &gt, 0.91). An application of a pulsed vacuum at 8 kPa led to the highest weight reduction and shrinkage of Ca-Alg hydrogel samples compared to other working pressures, while 61 kPa seemed to be the best condition. Although all textural characteristics (hardness, breaking deformation, Young’s modulus, and rupture strength) did not directly variate by the level of working pressures, they were likely correlated with the levels of WR and Sv. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) supported that the working pressure affected the characteristics of Ca-Alg hydrogel structure. Samples stimulated at a working pressure of 8 kPa showed higher deformation with heterogenous structure, large cavities, and looser layer when compared with those at 61 kPa. These results indicate the PVS is a promising technology that can be effectively applied in the external gelation process of Ca-Alg gel.

The effect of cultivar, ripening stage, and pre-treatment method were investigated on the nutritional, physicochemical, and pasting properties of plantain flours from two plantains and two plantain hybrids. There were significant variations (p &lt, 0.05) in chemical composition and physical properties influenced by the interaction of cultivars, ripening stages, and pre-treatment methods. The highest levels of amylose, water-holding capacity (WHC), and oil-holding capacity (OHC) were observed in unripe flours and acid-treated flour recorded the highest content of resistant starch (RS). Flour after pre-blanching contained the highest level of total phenolic (TP), carotenoid contents, and browning index (BI) value. In contrast, acid-treated flours had the lowest BI value. As ripening progressed, peak viscosity and breakdown values increased but final viscosity, setback, and pasting temperature values were reduced. Untreated flour samples showed the highest peak viscosity. Higher breakdown values were found in acid-treated samples and higher setback values in pre-blanched samples.

The efficacy of cellulose paper consolidated with cellulose acetate and mixed adsorbents (bentonite: activated clay: celite = 37.5: 50: 12.5 g with 1 g citric acid/100 g mixed adsorbents) on the physico-chemical properties of oil was evaluated during deep-fat frying of chicken nuggets for 7 days. Cellulose fiber and cellulose acetate were produced from waxy corn husks. Using adsorbents supported on cellulose fiber with or without cellulose acetate resulted in lower poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), trans-fatty acid, free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value (PV), and total polar materials (TPMs) compared with results from commercial filter paper (control). The L*, a*, and b* changes of treated oils were better than in control. Limiting the polarity in cellulose acetate might influence TPMs reduction but was more effective in overall quality improvement. The PUFAs, total trans-fatty acid, FFA, PV, and TPMs decreased by 1.8, 7.4, 37.0, 133.3, and 20.5%, respectively when compared with control. Therefore, the use of cellulose paper and cellulose acetate obtained from corn husks was found to significantly lengthen the life cycle of frying oil.

This study aimed to classify the degree of adulteration of Pathumthani 1 in Khaw Dok Mali (KDML) 105 rice during up to 5 months’ storage. KDML 105 was mixed with Pathumthani 1 at seven different ratios (100:0, 95:5, 92:8, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, and 0:100, w/w). The electronic nose (E-nose) was used to investigate the changes of aroma profiles in mixed rice, while GC–MS was conducted to determine the volatile compounds of each variety. The quantity of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) was found to notably decrease to 42.1 and 48.7%, respectively, while hexanal increased by 20.3 and 26.6%, respectively, during 5 months of storage. The E-nose potentially exhibited the ability to discriminate the aroma profiles of two rice varieties at the ratio 100:0 and 0:100 during storage. However, the aroma profiles of mixed rice during storage were not clearly separated due to the alteration of volatile compounds in rice.

The effects were studied of two different adsorbent combinations (com I; bentonite: activated carbon: celite = 3:4:1 and com II; bentonite: activated clay: celite = 3:4:1 + 1% citric acid) on the physico-chemical changes of oil used continuously for deep-fat frying of chicken drumsticks. The results showed that the % FFA was reduced by 44.3, PV by 50.2, and FOS reading by 40.1% in com I whereas reductions of 41.6, 44.9, and 32.8%, respectively, were found in com II. The oil treated with com II exhibited a lighter color than with com I. The changes of oil color in com I were L∗ 30.7, a∗ 1.7, and b∗ 31.9%; in com II they were 53.2, 19.1, and 39.5% respectively. The higher the L∗ observed, the better the oil quality obtained because of the bleaching ability of adsorbents. Therefore, the use of such adsorbents is recommended for poultry processing.