Use of Osmotic Dehydration Assisted by Ultrasound to Obtain Dried Mango Slices Enriched With Isomaltulose

Osmotic dehydration (OD) process, as a pretreatment for drying, can be used to enrich mangoes with a solute of interest and improve the nutritional and sensory values of this dried fruit. The research aimed to obtain dried mangoes enriched with isomaltulose. The incorporation of isomaltulose in mango (Tommy Atkins) slices was performed by ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration (UAOD). Then, the treated mango was convectively dried (60°C and 1.5 m/s). The incorporation of isomaltulose at 20 min was maximum (≈ 5% solids gain) and did not differ from experiments with the longer time. Firmness, color, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity did not differ between the mangoes subjected to UAOD and the fresh ones. After drying, the treated samples presented lower water activity, higher firmness, volumetric shrinkage, and total color difference. Similar bioactive compound content was found among treated and untreated dried samples except for the carotenoids, which were lower in the treated samples. Thin-layer drying kinetics models demonstrated excellent fits to the experimental data (R² ≥ 0.984, RMSE ≤ 0.0399, and χ² ≤ 1.7 × 10^-3), and the Page model, considered simple and widely used for the drying kinetics of fruits, was used to construct the curves. The sorption isotherms behavior evidenced that the incorporation of isomaltulose by ultrasound resulted in a less hygroscopic product. Practical Application: This research has potential applications in the food industry, particularly in creating healthier mango snacks with a reduced glycemic index by incorporating isomaltulose. The process also helps retain essential bioactive compounds and enhances product stability during storage, making it an appealing option for consumers looking for nutritious choices and for producers aiming to maintain the quality of dried foods.