Microwave (MW) vacuum dehydration using temperature to control the level of MW power demonstrated potential in improving the performance of the process. Product surface temperature measured by an infrared temperature sensor was used to control MW power at any level between 0 and 3 kW. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated an r 2 = 0.942 for prediction of final moisture content and r 2 = 0.985 for prediction of puffed character of grapes based on product temperature, time, specific energy, fresh fruit sugar, and fresh fruit moisture content. Temperature was found to be the most significant predictor. The elemental and compound contents of grapes dried using MW vacuum was compared to sun-dried raisins. The grapes dried using MW vacuum exhibited better preservation. Vitamin A was found in the MW-vacuum-dried grapes but none was detected in the raisins, and Vitamin C, thiamine, and riboflavin were also higher in the MW-vacuum-dried grapes than in the raisins.
Fresh and dried raspberries prepared by freeze drying (FD), microwave-vacuum (MIVAC), hot-air drying (HAD), and a combination of hot-air drying and microwave-vacuum (HAD/MIVAC) drying methods were evaluated for polyphenol retention, total polyphenol and anthocyanin contents, total antioxidant capacity, and antiadipogenic activity (the inhibition of fat cell development). Ellagic acid and quercetin were present in the largest concentrations in fresh and dehydrated raspberries. Dehydration led to a loss of polyphenols and anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity. Polyphenols (aglycone form) were retained in the greatest amount: 20% (freeze dried) to 30% (HAD/MIVAC) (fresh = 100%). A total of 30% of polyphenols (glycoside form) were retained in raspberries dried by the HAD/MIVAC methods with 5% of retention observed for raspberries dried by FD, HAD, or MIVAC. FD and MIVAC resulted in higher retention of anthocyanins (aglycone form) than other drying methods. It was also observed that antioxidant activity was reduced by dehydration. Adipogenesis was inhibited by polyphenolic glycosides (30%) and aglycones (30% to 40%) in fresh and HAD/MIVAC raspberries. Extracts from dried raspberries by HAD/MIVAC methods were relatively more effective at inhibiting adipogenesis compared to HAD and FD dried raspberries.
: Microwave vacuum drying has been investigated as promising potential for high‐quality dried fruits. In this study, a batch microwave vacuum dryer was used to understand the effect of levels of microwave power on the drying characteristics and moisture content of grapes. Thompson seedless grapes were treated 1st for 30, 60, and 90 min at fixed levels of 500, 750,1000,1250, and 1500 W at a reduced pressure of 2.7 kPa and then treated by 3 staged microwave power levels: a higher level of power during the initial stages of dehydration and 2 subsequently lower levels of power applied as the moisture content decreased. A typical temperature profile was found during the drying process, linearly increasing at the start of drying, followed by a nearly constant value during the drying period while water was evaporating. The total specific energy estimated by the energy balance model was 0.97 to 1.01 W‐h/g of fresh grapes and agreed well with the experimental specific energy of 0.85 to 0.90 W‐h/g for the fixed power tests. The multiple regression results showed that the specific energy was the most influential parameter on the final moisture content of grapes both in fixed and incremental power levels. Further research is needed to further improve the process with high efficiency and good product quality using product temperature as a control measure. Keywords: microwave vacuum dehydration, specific energy, fruits, grapes
Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) were dried combining microwave-vacuum, hot-air drying and freeze drying technologies to retain their nutritional value. Polyphenol retention, total polyphenols, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity were evaluated in dried blueberries. Glycoside compounds for ellagic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol exhibited a higher retention than phloridzin, and R- and S-naringin in dried blueberries following dehydration. Freeze and HA-MIVAC® dried blueberries had a higher retention of total polyphenols and anthocyanins. Freeze dried blueberries had higher antioxidant activity, followed by the combination of HA-MIVAC®, MIVAC® and HA drying methods. FD, HA-MIVAC® and MIVAC® treated blueberries had a higher retention of individual polyphenols than HA treated blueberries, indicating that the nutritional properties of berries may be retained to a greater extent when these processes are employed.
Microwave vacuum drying (MVD) provides an alternative drying method for making dried products with a puffed, porous texture. This article describes the porosity, color, texture, and microscopic analysis of potatoes dried using MVD, heated air (HAD), and freeze drying (FD). The porosity was calculated from a ratio of apparent density and true density. A mathematical model for calculating true density from moisture content and apparent density was derived. Potatoes dried using MVD had 20 times the porosity compared to HAD potatoes; but FD had the highest porosity. Puncture tests and SEM images supported indirect and direct confirmation for the experimental porosity. Texture measurements indicated that MVD potatoes were crispy and porous, HAD potatoes were hard and brittle, and FD potatoes were spongy and subject to shatter. MVD potatoes retained more fresh-like color compared to HAD and FD potatoes.
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