Physicochemical Characterization of Texture-Modified Pumpkin by Vacuum Enzyme Impregnation: Textural, Chemical, and Image Analysis

[EN] Texture-modified pumpkin was developed by using vacuum enzyme impregnation to soften texture to tolerable limits for the elderly population with swallowing and chewing difficulties. The impregnation process and macrostructural and microstructural enzyme action were explored by the laser light b...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Hernández, Sergio, Gallego Ibáñez, Marta, Verdú-Amat, Samuel|||0000-0002-3910-4582, Barat Baviera, José Manuel|||0000-0001-8487-7114, Talens Oliag, Pau|||0000-0001-7318-3336, Grau Meló, Raúl|||0000-0002-0540-5539
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)
Repositorio:RiuNet. Repositorio Institucional de la Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:riunet.upv.es:10251/197772
Acceso en línea:https://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/197772
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Cucurbita moschata
Vacuum impregnation
Elderly population
Texture-modified foods
Antioxidant capacity
Sugars
TECNOLOGIA DE ALIMENTOS
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] Texture-modified pumpkin was developed by using vacuum enzyme impregnation to soften texture to tolerable limits for the elderly population with swallowing and chewing difficulties. The impregnation process and macrostructural and microstructural enzyme action were explored by the laser light backscattering imaging technique and a microscopic study by digital image analysis. Texture was analyzed by a compression assay. The effect of enzyme treatment on antioxidant capacity and sugar content was evaluated and compared to the traditional cooking effect. Image analysis data demonstrated the effectiveness of the impregnation process and enzyme action on plant cell walls. Enzyme-treated samples at the end of the process had lower stiffness values with no fracture point, significantly greater antioxidant capacity and significantly lower total and reducing sugars contents than traditionally cooked pumpkins. The results herein obtained demonstrate the capability of using vacuum impregnation treatment with enzymes to soften pumpkins and their positive effects on antioxidant capacity and sugar content to develop safe and sensory-accepted texture-modified products for specific elderly populations.