Metabolic Response to UV-C Treatments on Minimally Processed Pomegranate Arils
2010
Nunes, C. | Graca, A. | Yildirim, I. | Sahin, G. | Erkan, M.
Pomegranates have a high amount of phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity. However, due to the difficulty to peel its consumption is not very high. Ready to eat pomegranate arils could be a way to increase its consumption but for this to be possible there is the need to find a safe and environmentally friendly method to control food-borne pathogens and preserve the nutritional properties. UV-C illumination could be a solution for the preservation of the minimally processed arils. UV-C technology has direct effect on the pathogens and indirect effect by the stimulation of host-defense responses. One of the possible mechanisms of host resistance is the production of certain enzymes by fruits. In this research the metabolic response to different UV-C treatments on pomegranate arils was studied. After UV-C illumination total phenol, titratable acidity and soluble solids were evaluated. The UV-C illumination doses applied to pomegranate arils were 4.5, 6.5 and 8.5 kJ/m2. Non-illuminated arils were used as the control treatment. Fruits were stored at 2°C and then kept in shelf-life at 6°C. The soluble solids content and citric acid percentage did not seem to be affected by the UV-C illumination. The experiment also showed that UV-C illumination has an effect on the increase of phenol content in pomegranate arils during the storage and shelf life.
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