Effect of a different high pressure thermal processing compared to a traditional thermal treatment on a red flesh and peel plum purée

High Pressure Processing Applications in Plant Foods

High pressure processing (HPP) is a cold pasteurization technology by which products, prepacked in their final package, are introduced to a vessel and subjected to a high level of isostatic pressure (300-600 MPa). High-pressure treatment of fruit, vegetable and fresh herb homogenate products offers us nearly fresh products in regard to sensorial and nutritional quality of original raw materials, representing relatively stable and safe source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and health effective components. Such components can play an important role as a preventive tool against the start of illnesses, namely in the elderly. An overview of several food HPP products, namely of fruit and vegetable origin, marketed successfully around the world is presented. Effects of HPP and HPP plus heat on key spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, including the resistant spore form and fruit/vegetable endogenous enzymes are reviewed, including the effect on the product quality. Part of the paper is devoted to the industrial equipment available for factories manufacturing HPP treated products.

Different sequence of high-hydrostatic pressure and mild-heat treatment on the colour and sensory characteristics of strawberry puree

The effect of high pressure processing (300 and 600 MPa) combined with mild heat treatment (55 and 75 °C) on the colour parameters, anthocyanin content, and sensory characteristics of strawberry puree were examined after the treatments and 2 weeks of cold storage at 2 and 15 °C. As on an industrial scale the simultaneous implementation of these treatments remains a challenge, the HHP and heat treatments were carried out consecutively in different sequences. The colour parameters and the anthocyanin content did not change significantly due to the treatments, but decreased during cold storage, at 15 °C storage the changes were more intensive than at 2 °C. Regarding the sensory test results, the different sequence of the 600 MPa-75 °C combined treatments is not detectable even after 2 weeks of storage at 15 °C, but in case of 300 MPa-55 °C, the enzyme inactivation is probably not sufficient enough as differences between the samples were detected.

High isostatic pressure and thermal processing of açaí fruit (Euterpe oleracea Martius): Effect on pulp color and inactivation of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase

The present study evaluated the effect of high isostatic pressure (HIP) on the activity of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from açaí. Açaí pulp was submitted to several combinations of pressure (400, 500, 600MPa), temperature (25 and 65°C) for 5 and 15min. The combined effect of HIP technology and high temperatures (690MPa by 2 and 5min at 80°C) was also investigated and compared to the conventional thermal treatment (85°C/1min). POD and PPO enzyme activity and instrumental color were examined after processing and after 24h of refrigerated storage. Results showed stability of POD for all pressures at 25°C, which proved to be heat-resistant and baro-resistant at 65°C. For PPO, the inactivation at 65°C was 71.7% for 600MPa after 15min. In general, the increase in temperature from 25°C to 65°C reduced the PPO relative activity with no changes in color. Although the thermal treatment and the HIP (690MPa) along with high temperature (80°C) reduced the PPO relative activity, and relevant darkening was observed in the processed samples. Thus, it can be concluded that POD is more baro-resistant than PPO in açaí pulp subjected to the same HIP processing conditions and processing at 600MPa/65°C for 5min may be an effective alternative for thermal pasteurization treatments.

Effect of high-pressure processing on colour, phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities of purple waxy corn (Zea mays L. var. ceratina) kernels

High-pressure processing (HPP) at 250-700 MPa for 30-45 min affects the colour parameters, phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities of purple waxy corn kernels (p < 0.05). The higher pressure-level, the lower L^∗, a^∗, b^∗, C^∗ and h^o (p < 0.05). However, pressure-treated kernels at 700 MPa showed a similar colour profile to steam-treated kernels. HPP caused a loss in the total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents and antioxidant activities. The pressure-treated kernels had a higher phytochemical content than the steam-treated kernels. The phytochemicals and antioxidant activities decreased as the pressure increased from 250 to 550 MPa, but the levels recovered at 700 MPa. The longer holding-time, the greater loss of the compounds and antioxidant activities (p < 0.05). Pressure treatment at 700 MPa yielded the highest total phenolic and anthocyanin contents (p < 0.05). Water-soluble compounds can leach from food materials due to cell rupture. Nevertheless, HPP is a potential process to preserve the phytochemicals in food.

Pressure-Based Strategy for the Inactivation of Spores

Since the first application of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) for food preservation more than 100 years ago, a wealth of knowledge has been gained on molecular mechanisms underlying the HHP-mediated destruction of microorganisms. However, one observation made back then is still valid, i.e. that HHP alone is not sufficient for the complete inactivation of bacterial endospores. To achieve "commercial sterility" of low-acid foods, i.e. inactivation of spores capable of growing in a specific product under typical storage conditions, a combination of HHP with other hurdles is required (most effectively with heat (HPT)). Although HPT processes are not yet industrially applied, continuous technical progress and increasing consumer demand for minimally processed, additive-free food with long shelf life, makes HPT sterilization a promising alternative to thermal processing.In recent years, considerable progress has been made in understanding the response of spores of the model organism B. subtilis to HPT treatments and detailed insights into some basic mechanisms in Clostridium species shed new light on differences in the HPT-mediated inactivation of Bacillus and Clostridium spores. In this chapter, current knowledge on sporulation and germination processes, which presents the basis for understanding development and loss of the extreme resistance properties of spores, is summarized highlighting commonalities and differences between Bacillus and Clostridium species. In this context, the effect of HPT treatments on spores, inactivation mechanism and kinetics, the role of population heterogeneity, and influence factors on the results of inactivation studies are discussed.