An extraction technology works on the principle of two consecutive steps that involves mixture of solute with solvent and the movement of soluble compounds from the cell into the solvent and its consequent diffusion and extraction. The conventional extraction techniques are mostly based on the use of mild/high temperatures (50–90 °C) that can cause thermal degradation, are dependent on the mass transfer rate, being reflected on long extraction times, high costs, low extraction efficiency, with consequent low extraction yields. Due to these disadvantages, it is of interest to develop non-thermal extraction methods, such as microwave, ultrasounds, supercritical fluids (mostly using carbon dioxide, SC-CO2), and high hydrostatic pressure-assisted extractions which works on the phenomena of minimum heat exposure with reduced processing time, thereby minimizing the loss of bioactive compounds during extraction. Further, to improve the stability of these extracted compounds, nano-encapsulation is required. Nano-encapsulation is a process which forms a thin layer of protection against environmental degradation and retains the nutritional and functional qualities of bioactive compounds in nano-scale level capsules by employing fats, starches, dextrins, alginates, protein and lipid materials as encapsulation materials.
The effect of infrared radiation (IR) on the physicochemical characteristics, pectin methylesterase activity (PME), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, microbiological activity, color, and sensory aspects on black lime juice was studied. IR was compared to conventional thermal heating (CTH) in batch infrared extraction pasteurizer, designed to allow both infrared and conventional heating. IR resulted in a reduction in pH and Brix values and a mild increase in titratable acidity, as compared to CTH and control. After 60 days at 5 °C, the ascorbic acid percentage was decreased by 24.90%, 29.75%, and 58.31% in the control, IR and CTH, respectively. The total amount of phenols in juice treated with IR was higher as compared to CTH and control, while there was a significant decrease in the antioxidant activity. The statistical analysis reflected significantly low (p < 0.05) activity of PME for IR samples as compared to CTH and control. The amount of Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in all juice samples steadily increased during the storage at 5 °C in 60 days. The microbial content of control was 3.85 log cfu/mL after 60 days at 5 °C, while it was 2.1 log cfu/mL for IR which reflected a significant difference between the IR, CTH, and control samples. Additionally, color and sensory analysis of IR treated sample when compared to control, reflected similar attributes. Overall, IR was found to be an excellent substitute for the preservation of black lime juice as a rapid pasteurization technique with less heat exposure; wherein the nutrition and health benefits of the juice could be maintained for a minimum period of 60 days.
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