High-intensity ultrasonication impact on the chlorothalonil fungicide and its reduction pathway in spinach juice

Impact of Thermosonication Treatment on Parsley Juice: Particle Swarm Algorithm (PSO), Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), and Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Thermosonication (TS), also known as ultrasonic-assisted heat treatment, is gaining attention in liquid product processing due to its ability to improve quality parameters and can serve as an alternative to thermal treatments. The parsley juice (TS-PJ) was subjected to thermosonication treatment (frequency: 26 kHz; power: 200 W; amplitude 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100%; temperature: 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 °C; time: 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 min) and was compared with untreated control parsley juice (C-PJ) and pasteurized treated (P-PJ) (85 °C/2 min) parsley juice samples. The objectives of the research work were to determine the effect of thermosonication on the quality attributes such as total chlorophyll and ascorbic acid of parsley juice using particle swarm algorithm (PSO), multiple linear regression (MLR), and response surface methodology (RSM). Thermosonication enhanced the bioactive compounds of parsley juice. The results showed that 15 phenolic compounds were detected in the samples. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in gallic acid contents in ultrasound-treated TS-PJ. There was no significant difference in total chlorophyll and ascorbic acid content between C-PJ and TS-PJ samples. Na and K from macro minerals and Fe and Zn from micro minerals were high in PJ samples. While K contents were increased, P contents were lower in the TS-PJ sample. RSM modeling provided superior prediction compared to MLR. PSO, on the other hand, made good predictions intuitively. Thermosonication enriched parsley juice's bioactive components and had positive health effects.

Effects of ultrasonic intensity and time on rheological properties of different concentrations of xanthan gum solution

This work aimed to examine the impacts of ultrasonic treatments (40 kHz) at different intensities (0, 75, and 150 W) and time (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min) on the rheological properties of different concentrations (at 3 levels of 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 %, w/v) of xanthan gum solution (XGS). The results confirmed that the apparent viscosity of XGS decreased from 68.75 to 30.38 mPa.s with increasing ultrasonic power from 0 to 150 W (shear rate = 61 s-1, 0.2 %, 20 min). In addition, the apparent viscosity of XGS decreased by enhancing the sonication time. Various rheological equations (power-law, Bingham, Herschel-Bulkley, Casson, and Vocadlo) were employed to fit the empirical values, and the results confirmed that the power-law equation was the best fit to describe the flow behaviour of XGSs. The consistency coefficient (CC) of XGS significantly decreased from 1222.7 to 635.1 mPa.sn (p < 0.05) while ultrasonic power enhanced from 0 to 150 W (0.2 %, 10 min). Furthermore, the CC of XGS decreased significantly (p < 0.05) while the duration of ultrasound treatment enhanced. The flow behaviour index (FBI) of various concentrations of XGS enhanced while the intensity and duration of ultrasound treatment enhanced.

Effects of Thermosonication on the Antioxidant Capacity and Physicochemical, Bioactive, Microbiological, and Sensory Qualities of Blackcurrant Juice

This study investigated the effects of thermosonication (TS) on the quality of blackcurrant juice, along with its physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and microbiological and sensory qualities. The treatments included raw juice (RJ), pasteurized juice (90 °C, 1 min, PJ), and thermosonicated juice (480 W, 40 kHz at 40, 50, or 60 °C, for 10, 20, 30, or 40 min, TJ). The results indicated that the effects of pasteurization and thermosonication on the pH, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity of the juice were not significant (p > 0.05). However, the cloudiness, browning index, and viscosity were significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the color properties of the blackcurrant juice were improved. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents of TJ (treated at 50 °C for 30 min) were increased by 12.6%, 20.9%, and 40.4%, respectively, and there was a notable decline in ascorbic acid content after the pasteurization treatment, while the loss was minor in all TJ samples compared with RJ. The scavenging ability of 1,1-diphenyl-2-pyridyl and hydroxyl radicals increased to 52.77% and 50.52%, respectively, which were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in the RJ and PJ samples. In addition, both pasteurization and thermosonication resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in microbial counts, while there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in the sensory parameters compared with the RJ samples. In conclusion, this study suggests that TS is an effective method that can be used as an alternative to pasteurization to improve the quality of blackcurrant juice.

Rheological properties of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution: Impact of high intensity ultrasound

Today sonication process is used as a new green tool with unique impacts on foods preservation and processing. Ultrasonic modification is an appropriate strategy to obtain good gums with useful physicochemical characteristics and molecular structure. This research aimed to analyze the impacts of sonication at different intensities (0, 75, and 150 W) and time (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min) on the viscosity and rheological characteristics of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution. The results confirmed that the apparent viscosity of CMC solution reduced from 0.030 to 0.021 Pa.s with increasing shear-rate from 12.2 s-1 to 134.5 s-1 (75 W for 10 min). Also, the apparent viscosity of CMC solution reduced from 0.028 to 0.019 Pa.s with enhancing the sonication time from 0 to 20 min (shear-rate = 61 s-1, 150 W). Various rheological equations were employed to fit the empirical values, and the results confirmed that the Power law model was the best fit to explain the flow behaviour of CMC solution. The consistency coefficient of CMC solution significantly reduced from 0.065 Pa.sn to 0.032 Pa.sn (p < 0.05) with enhancing sonication time from 0 to 20 min (75 W). Furthermore, the consistency coefficient of CMC solution decreased significantly (p < 0.05) while the ultrasonic power enhanced. Flow behaviour index of CMC solution enhanced significantly (p < 0.05) while the intensity and time of sonication enhanced.

Ultrasound-Treated and Thermal-Pasteurized Hawthorn Vinegar: Antioxidant and Lipid Profiles in Rats

The hawthorn fruit, a member of the Rosaceae family, is a medicinal plant with numerous therapeutic properties. It has a wide range of variants, with Crataegus tanacetifolia being the most widely recognized species in the world. The hawthorn fruit has various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, immune-modulating, and anti-carcinogenic properties. This study focused on improving the antioxidant activity of hawthorn vinegar via different methods. We also aimed to investigate the influence of its hepatic antioxidant abilities on health and extend the shelf life of the vinegar. In the study, the vinegar was produced from the hawthorn fruit, and thermal pasteurization and ultrasound techniques were applied. A total of 56 female adult Wistar-Albino rats were allocated into seven groups and administered hawthorn fruit vinegar via oral gavage on a daily basis. The experimental groups included rats treated with pasteurized vinegar (HVP), ultrasound-treated rats (HVU), and an untreated group that received regular vinegar (HVN) at two different dosage levels (0.5 and 1 mL/kg). The SOD, MDA, and CAT antioxidant levels were measured using the ELISA method in plasma and liver tissue samples. The total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, AST, and ALT values were quantified using commercially available kits. The levels of SOD and CAT in the plasma and liver were found to be significantly higher in the HVU1 group compared to all other groups. Furthermore, the HVU1 cohort exhibited the highest HDL value in plasma. The plasma LDL levels were comparably low in both the thermal-pasteurized and ultrasound-treated groups. There were significant expressions of both CAT and SOD in the liver tissues of the HVU groups (analyzed immunohistochemically). These results indicated that hawthorn vinegar administration with 1 mL/kg in group HVU1 could significantly enhance antioxidant capacity in the liver and, consequently, overall health. It can be suggested that the possible therapeutic effects of hawthorn vinegar may boost its antioxidant capabilities and contribute to an overall improvement in quality of life.

Sustainable emerging high-intensity sonication processing to enhance the protein bioactivity and bioavailability: An updated review

High-intensity ultrasound (HIU) is considered one of the promising non-chemical eco-friendly techniques used in food processing. Recently (HIU) is known to enhance food quality, extraction of bioactive compounds and formulation of emulsions. Various foods are treated with ultrasound, including fats, bioactive compounds, and proteins. Regarding proteins, HIU induces acoustic cavitation and bubble formation, causing the unfolding and exposure of hydrophobic regions, resulting in functional, bioactive, and structural enhancement. This review briefly portrays the impact of HIU on the bioavailability and bioactive properties of proteins; the effect of HIU on protein allergenicity and anti-nutritional factors has also been discussed. HIU can enhance bioavailability and bioactive attributes in plants and animal-based proteins, such as antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and peptide release. Moreover, numerous studies revealed that HIU treatment could enhance functional properties, increase the release of short-chain peptides, and decrease allergenicity. HIU could replace the chemical and heat treatments used to enhance protein bioactivity and digestibility; however, its applications are still on research and small scale, and its usage in industries is yet to be implemented.

Effect of plasma-activated water and buffer solution combined with ultrasound on fungicide degradation and quality of cherry tomato during storage

The purpose of this study was to examine plasma-activated buffer solution (PABS) and plasma-activated water (PAW) combined with ultrasonication (U) treatment on the reduction of chlorothalonil fungicide and the quality of tomato fruits during storage. To obtain PAW and PABS, an atmospheric air plasma jet was used to treat buffer solution and deionized water at different treatment times (5 and 10 min). For combined treatments, fruits were submerged in PAW and PABS, then sonicated for 15 min, and individual treatment without sonication. As per the results, the maximum chlorothalonil reduction of 89.29% was detected in PAW-U₁₀, followed by 85.43% in PABS. At the end of the storage period, the maximum reduction of 97.25% was recorded in PAW-U₁₀, followed by 93.14% in PABS-U₁₀. PAW, PABS, and both combined with ultrasound did not significantly affect the overall tomato fruit quality in the storage period. Our results revealed that PAW combined with sonication had a significant impact on post-harvest agrochemical degradation and retention of tomato quality than PABS. Conclusively, the integrated hurdle technologies effectively reduce agrochemical residues, which helps to lower health hazards and foodborne illnesses.