Ultrasound combined with sanitizers is efficient for the reduction of microbiological contaminants in fruits and vegetables. However, the physicochemical changes remain to be elucidated. Therefore, the isolated and combined effect of ultrasound (40 kHz, 500 W) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (100 mg/L) for 5 min in the bacterial microbiota and physicochemical changes on yellow melon (Cucumis melo L.) were evaluated. Mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB), pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), and texture profile were performed. No changes in pH and TTA (p>0.05) were obtained. Firmness, chewiness, cohesiveness, and gumminess increased (p<0.05) after the ultrasound application. A synergistic effect between ultrasound and NaOCl in the MAB reduction was achieved. Therefore, ultrasound improves the antimicrobial effect of NaOCl and texture profile without undesirable chemical changes.

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Anthocyanins and phenolic compounds from fruits and vegetables can be extracted using emerging technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction. This study aimed to investigate the effect of temperature and ultrasonic power on the extraction of anthocyanins, phenolic compounds from the extracts of juçara pulp (Euterpe edulis M.). We also determined the antioxidant capacity of the extract and determined characteristics of the pulp. Bioactive compounds were extracted in an ultrasonic bath (25 kHz) at various temperatures (25, 32, 39, 46, 53 °C) and ultrasonic power (0, 360, 900 W). Juçara pulp had high total anthocyanin and phenolic content (298.86 ±27.68 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside/100 g and 1226.39 ±21.08 mg GAE/100 g on a wet basis, respectively). Cyanidin-3-rutinoside was the major anthocyanin in the extract, followed by cyanidin-3-glucoside, which were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. For obtaining extracts rich in anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, we suggest that the extraction process should be performed at 25 °C without the application of ultrasonic waves. However, to obtain extracts with outstanding antioxidant capacity, an ultrasonic power of 360 W at a frequency of 25 kHz and a temperature of 25 °C should be used.

This study was to evaluate the influence of information on the addition of omega-3 and its health benefits in the acceptance of dairy dessert. The hedonic thresholds methodology was applied in two trials: blind and open-label. In the blind trial, no information was provided to consumers regarding the formulation of the flans. In the open-label trial, consumers received the information on the addition of omega-3 and its health benefits. The value of compromised acceptance threshold (CAT) was not influenced by the information on the addition of omega-3 and its health benefits. However, there was a high increase in the value of hedonic rejection threshold (HRT) when the consumers were informed of the benefits of omega-3, and it was possible to increase the addition of the compound in the flans by up to 21.03% without causing product rejection, confirming the positive effect of information on health benefits in accptance.