Title: Application of antioxidants to extend the shelf life of processed minimally yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius)

Authors: Marcela Zonta Rodrigues; Eliane Maurício Furtado Martins; Vítor Ibrahim Brandão; Rodrigo Oliveira Madeira; André Narvaes Da Rocha Campos; Afonso Mota Ramos

Addresses: Food Science and Technology Department, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Southeast of Minas Gerais, Avenida Dr. José Sebastião da Paixão, s/n, Bairro Lindo Vale, CEP: 36180-000 Rio Pomba, Minas Gerais, Brazil ' Food Science and Technology Department, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Southeast of Minas Gerais, Avenida Dr. José Sebastião da Paixão, s/n, Bairro Lindo Vale, CEP: 36180-000 Rio Pomba, Minas Gerais, Brazil ' Food Science and Technology Department, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Southeast of Minas Gerais, Avenida Dr. José Sebastião da Paixão, s/n, Bairro Lindo Vale, CEP: 36180-000 Rio Pomba, Minas Gerais, Brazil ' Food Science and Technology Department, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Southeast of Minas Gerais, Avenida Dr. José Sebastião da Paixão, s/n, Bairro Lindo Vale, CEP: 36180-000 Rio Pomba, Minas Gerais, Brazil ' Food Science and Technology Department, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Southeast of Minas Gerais, Avenida Dr. José Sebastião da Paixão, s/n, Bairro Lindo Vale, CEP: 36180-000 Rio Pomba, Minas Gerais, Brazil ' Food Science and Technology Department, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Southeast of Minas Gerais, Avenida Dr. José Sebastião da Paixão, s/n, Bairro Lindo Vale, CEP: 36180-000 Rio Pomba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract: The effects of different chemical agents that retard browning were evaluated on the shelf life of minimally processed yacon. The tubers were immersed in solutions of cysteine hydrochloride, citric acid combined with ascorbic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/EDTA and sodium metabisulfite. Analysis of pH, total titratable acidity, soluble solids, water activity at 5°C and moisture at 5°C and 10°C for until 96 hours of storage were carried out. Colour and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was also assessed. The samples showed statistically different physic-chemical properties, depending on the antioxidants used. The colour of the yacon was influenced by time, but the treatments were not different from one another. It was observed that the antioxidants used, except for EDTA, had a significant decrease in enzymatic activity of PPO compared to the control. The assessed antioxidants maintained the colour of the yacon, making their properties similar to those of fresh product.

Keywords: food products; Yacon; tubers; antioxidants; shelf life; Smallanthus sonchifolius; chemical agents; browning retardation; minimal processing; processed foods; cysteine hydrochloride; citric acid; ascorbic acid; ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; EDTA; sodium metabisulfite; sodium metabisulphite; pH analysis; basicity; aqueous solutions; titratable acidity; soluble solids; water activity; moisture; plant storage; plant colour; polyphenol oxidase; PPO; physic-chemical properties; enzymatic activity; fresh products; Brazil; Andes; postharvest technology; innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2013.051986

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2013 Vol.3 No.1, pp.28 - 40

Received: 02 Feb 2012
Accepted: 23 Aug 2012
Published online: 05 Jul 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article