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Potential of different mechanical and thermal treatments to control off-flavour generation in broccoli puree
Maria Koutidou1, Tara Grauwet2, Ann Van Loey2
1Unilever R&D, Olivier Van Noortlaan 120, NL-3130AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Food Technology, Leuven Food Science and Nutrition Research Center (LFoRCe), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M(2)S), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 22 Box 2457, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was scientifically investigate the impact of the sequence of different thermo-mechanical treatments on the volatile profile of differently processed broccoli puree, and to investigate if any relationship persists between detected off-flavour changes and microstructural changes as a function of selected process conditions. Comparison of the headspace GC-MS fingerprinting of the differently processed broccoli purees revealed that an adequate combination of processing steps allows to reduce the level of off-flavour volatiles. Moreover, applying mechanical processing before or after the thermal processing at 90°C determines the pattern of broccoli tissue disruption, resulting into different microstructures and various enzymatic reactions inducing volatile generation. These results may aid the identification of optimal process conditions generating a reduced level of off-flavour in processed broccoli. In this way, broccoli can be incorporated as a food ingredient into mixed food products with limited implications on sensorial consumer acceptance.
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