Effects of short-term high CO 2 pretreatment on quality of fresh-cut potatoes were studied. Potatoes were treated under 90% CO 2 for 18 h, peeled, cut, dipped in 1% ascorbic acid or distilled water for 3 min, packed in polyethylene bags and stored for 12 d at 4 °C. Non-treated potatoes were used as the control. High CO 2 pretreatments ensured maintenance of a high level of CO 2 in headspace of packages containing fresh-cut potatoes. Both the growth of total aerobic bacteria in initial stages of post-cut storage and browning index of the cut surface were lower in high CO 2 treated cut potato. Anti-browning effect of high CO 2 pretreatment was decreased when applied in combination with ascorbic acid. Soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and flesh firmness of fresh-cut potatoes were not affected by high CO 2 treatment. Therefore, high CO 2 treatment before slicing could be effective method to maintain quality of fresh-cut potatoes.
Sodium erythorbate, antioxidant and curing accelerator, used in meat products, have no vitamin functionality. Ascorbic acid (AA), in contrast, is a powerful antioxidant, but very unstable. The application of encapsulated AA in frankfurters could allow the incorporation of an antioxidant with vitamin functionality and improved stability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of AA microcapsules in frankfurters and the effects of their application on the product. Different analyses were conducted. The values obtained for mass loss, moisture content, water activity, pH and instrumental color were not significantly different among the treatments. The frankfurters containing the microcapsules exhibited the lowest hardness value (approximately 5,000 g), resulting in better scores in the sensory analysis. It was possible to apply the AA microcapsules without compromising the oxidative stability and physicochemical characteristics of the product, providing a promising method for protecting AA and producing fortified frankfurters.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.