The effects of immersion methods and concentration of ozonated water on the microbial counts and the quality and sensory attributes of fresh-cut broccoli
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Author list: Renumarn P., Srilaong V., Uthairatanakij A., Kanlayanarat S., Jitareerat P.
Publisher: Faculty of Food Science and Technology
Publication year: 2014
Journal: International Food Research Journal (1985-4668)
Volume number: 21
Issue number: 2
Start page: 533
End page: 539
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 1985-4668
Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)
Abstract
The effects of immersion methods and concentrations of ozonated water on natural microbial contamination as well as the quality and sensory attributes of fresh-cut broccoli were studied. The first group of fresh-cut broccoli was immersed in air-ozonated water (containing 0.56 ppm ozone [O3]) for 5 min and remained immersed in this water for 5 min (i.e., low O3 concentration and long contact time; LL). The second group of fresh-cut broccoli was immersed in O2 gas-ozonated water (containing 1.60 ppm O3) for 5 min and remained immersed in this water for 3 min (i.e., high O3 concentration and short-contact time; HS). Fresh-cut broccoli treated with tap water served as the control. All samples were stored at 4ฐC for 6 days. The results revealed that washing fresh-cut broccoli with ozonated water (LL and HS) and tap water (control) reduced the amount of microbes compared with the initial microbial loads of unwashed fresh-cut broccoli. HS was the most effective treatment with regard to reducing aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and yeasts and molds throughout storage to ranges of 1.41-2.61, 0.55-1.75, and 1.46-1.71 log CFU.g-1FW, respectively. Furthermore, this treatment did not have negative effects on color (lightness, a*, b*, and hue angle values), chlorophyll content, or sensory attributes (overall visual quality, visible color, and odor). The LL treatment reduced the microbial counts in fresh-cut broccoli on the first day after the treatment; however, the quality and sensory attributes of the LL-treated broccoli were significantly decreased compared with the control. The results indicate that treating fresh-cut broccoli with water ozonated with a high concentration of O3 (1.60 ppm) for 5 min followed by immersion in the same water for 3 min reduces natural microbial contamination without any negative effects on the quality or sensory attributes of the broccoli.
Keywords
Brassica oleracea l., food safety, Immersion, Minimally processed microbial contamination
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