Premium
Modelling of mass transfer and texture evaluation during osmotic dehydration of melon under vacuum
Author(s) -
Ferrari Cristhiane C.,
Arballo Javier R.,
Mascheroni Rodolfo H.,
Hubinger Miriam D.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of food science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.831
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1365-2621
pISSN - 0950-5423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2010.02510.x
Subject(s) - osmotic dehydration , mass transfer , dehydration , sucrose , texture (cosmology) , sugar , kinetics , chemistry , diffusion , analytical chemistry (journal) , materials science , chromatography , food science , thermodynamics , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , computer science , image (mathematics)
Summary The influence of vacuum time and solution concentration on mass transfer and mechanical properties of osmodehydrated melon cubes has been studied. Pulsed vacuum osmotic dehydration (PVOD) was carried out at 30 °C for 4 h, using sucrose solutions (40, 50 or 60°Brix) and applying a vacuum pulse (100 mbar for 5, 10 or 15 min). Kinetics of water loss, solid gain and stress at rupture were analysed, as well as effective diffusivities using the hydrodynamic model. The increase in solution concentration favoured water removal, but no significant effect of vacuum time was observed. The use of less concentrated solutions coupled to the action of vacuum pulse resulted in greater solid uptake. Samples subjected to PVOD using 60°Brix sucrose solution presented greater water loss, lower sugar uptake and better maintenance of fresh fruit texture throughout the process. Diffusion coefficients estimated by the hydrodynamic model showed a good fit to the experimental data.