Premium
Phytochemical Properties and Antioxidant Activities of Minimally Processed “Acco” Pomegranate Arils as Affected by Perforation‐Mediated Modified Atmosphere Packaging
Author(s) -
Opara Umezuruike Linus,
Hussein Zaharan,
Caleb Oluwafemi J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of food processing and preservation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.511
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1745-4549
pISSN - 0145-8892
DOI - 10.1111/jfpp.12948
Subject(s) - aril , modified atmosphere , antioxidant , ascorbic acid , phytochemical , food science , chemistry , perforation , ferric , shelf life , materials science , biochemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , punching
The effects of perforation‐mediated modified atmosphere packaging (PM‐MAP) on the phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of freshly processed pomegranate arils (cv. Acco) stored at 5C for 15 days were investigated. Perforations 0, 3, 6 and 9 (P‐0, P‐3, P‐6 and P‐9, respectively) were made on the polymeric film (POLYLID 107 polyethylene) and non‐perforated (P‐0) and clamshell trays were control. Total anthocyanins content increased slightly across all treatments and arils packed in P‐6 had the highest content of 49.2 ± 0.71 mg C3gE/100 mL. Ascorbic acid content decreased significantly across all treatments ( P < 0.05) compared to the initial value (15.3 ± 0.13 mg AA/100 mL) prior to storage. A threefold increase in antioxidant capacity was observed at the end of storage when tested against ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) initial value of 43.52 ± 0.73 µM TE/mL. Practical Applications The role of antioxidant properties and phytochemical in fruit in reducing the risk of non‐communicable diseases is well established in the literature. Conventional modified atmosphere packaging systems could reduce produce quality attributes due to sub‐optimal in‐package gas composition. There is a growing interest in package optimization to maintain the sensory and nutritional quality of fresh or fresh‐cut fruits. This study had demonstrated that the application of perforation‐mediated modified atmosphere packaging retains the bioactive components of fresh pomegranate arils.