Premium
Hygroscopic Coatings Control Surface White Discoloration of Peeled (Minimally Processed) Carrots During Storage
Author(s) -
CISNEROSZEVALLOS LUIS,
SALTVEIT MIKAL E.,
KROCHTA JOHN M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1750-3841
pISSN - 0022-1147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.1997.tb04002.x
Subject(s) - low density polyethylene , relative humidity , moisture , polyethylene , osmotic dehydration , dehydration , materials science , shelf life , chemistry , food science , composite material , biochemistry , physics , thermodynamics
White discoloration on peeled carrots is partially due to surface dehydration which can be controlled with hygroscopic coatings: e.g., polyhydric alcohols and salt solutions. This study was performed at 2.5, 7.5, 10, and 15°C, using a model system controlling relative humidity at 33, 75 or 98% or a commercial system with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic film bags. The moisture sorption properties of propylene glycol, sorbitol, glycerol and calcium chloride enabled them to keep the carrot surface moist and maintain a transparent surface layer through which the underlying orange color was visible. This effect was only observed at high relative humidities (e.g., 98% RH). Similar effects were observed on treated peeled carrots stored in LDPE bags. The moisturized appearance provided by the hygroscopic coatings during storage was effective at several different temperatures.