Enhancing the enzymatic browning inhibition capacity of Moringa oleifera seed extract via the Maillard reaction

The antioxidant and anti-browning activity of heated plant extracts have been attributed to the formation of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) via the Maillard reaction (MR). The inhibitory effect of heated Moringa oleifera (MO) seed extract on banana polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was investigated. The Plain MO seed extracts and those with added glucose and glycine (1.5 mM each) were heated at 100°C for 15, 30, 60 and 120 min. The pH and brown colour development decreased and increased significantly (P <0.05) with increased reaction time, respectively, with heated moringa glucose-glycine HMGGL for 120 min exhibiting the highest pH reduction (2.58) and darkest extracts at an L* value of 8.11. This phenomenon is associated with progression of the MR. With reference to enzymatic browning, heated MO seed extracts exhibited stronger inhibitory effect against banana PPO activity in vivo and in vitro than the unheated counterpart. Evident to this are the higher inhibition percentages and lower ΔE values. Among model systems, the highest in vitro browning inhibition was exhibited mostly by longer heating times of 60 and 120 min. Model system HMGGL 120 min proved to be superior at 96% inhibition, which was comparable to known synthetic commercial antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (AA) at 99%, as well as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid (CA), both at 100% inhibition. In vivo enzymatic browning inhibition followed a similar trend, where the brown pigment (melanin) intensified as shown by an increase in ΔE as the storage time increased from 0.5 to 24 h. The model system UMGGL exhibited highest inhibition of brown melanin (p <0.05). Although it was the best amongst other model systems, it was surpassed by synthetic antioxidants AA, EDTA and CA, which were ranked amongst the top three in inhibiting brown pigment formation in vivo. To further illustrate the effect of MR augmented MO seed extracts on enzyme activity inhibition, UMGGL 60 and 120 at 5 and 24 h storage surpassed the inhibitory effect of AA. At the said storage times, AA lost its inhibitory potential against pigment formation. This was due to oxidation of AA to form dehydroascorbic acid, which lacks inhibitory potential. This study proved that heating MO plant extracts increases their enzymatic browning inhibition potential, furthermore, the inhibitory capacity was heightened when reacted via the MR.

Development of Active Packaging to Extend the Shelf Life of Agaricus bisporus by Using Plasma Technology

In this study, a preservation package that can extend the shelf life of Agaricus bisporus was developed using plasma modification combined with low-density polyethylene (LDPE), collagen (COL), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Out results showed that the selectivity of LDPE to gas can be controlled by plasma modification combined with coating of different concentrations of CMC and COL. Packaging test results applied to A. bisporus showed that 3% and 5% of CMC and COL did not significantly inhibit polyphenol oxidase and β-1,3-glucanase, indicating no significant effect on structural integrity and oxidative browning. The use of 0.5% and 1.0% CMC and COL can effectively inhibit the polyphenol oxidase and β-1,3-glucanase activity of A. bisporus, leading to improved effects in browning inhibition and structural integrity maintenance. P-1.0COL can effectively maintain gas composition in the package (carbon dioxide: 10–15% and oxygen: 8–15%) and catalase activity during storage, thereby reducing the oxidative damage caused by respiration of A. bisporus. The current study confirmed that the use of plasma modification technology combined with 1.0% COL can be used in preservation packaging by regulating the respiration of A. bisporus, thus extending its shelf life from 7 to 21 days.

Physicochemical Characterization and Effect of Thermal Treatments on the Enzymatic Browning Inhibition of Violet Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Cultivated in Daloa (Côte d’Ivoire)

Background: The polyphenol oxidase (PPO) responsible for the enzymatic browning of fruits and vegetables, has been involved in the undesirable brown discolouration of food products that resulted in negative effects on colour, taste, and nutritional value. This is a generally undesired process and needs to be prevented in food technology. Objective: The present work was carried out to evaluate the effect of chemical and thermal treatments on browning inhibition of eggplant fruit (Solanum melongena L.). Materials and Methods: A screening of PPOs activities from eggplant was carried out. The physicochemical characteristics and thermal stability of main PPOs activities were determined in order to develop methods of anti-browning. Results: Dopamine oxidase and pyrocatechol oxidase activities were the most active main eggplant fruit PPO activities. Maximal PPO activity was found at 30°C, pH 7.0 for dopamine and 25°C, pH 6.6 for pyrocatechol. The enzymes were stable and retained almost all of their catalytic activity at their optimum temperature (30 and 25°C) for 120 min and their pH stability was in the range of 5.0 - 7.0. Polyphenol oxidases (dopamine oxidase and pyrocatechol oxidase) remained their full activity in the presence of ion Na+, Cu2+, Pb2+ (1 mM) but were inhibited strongly by the ion Fe2+ and Pb2+ (5 mM). On the other hand, the ion K+, Ba2+ and chemical agents, EDTA, citric acid have virtually no effect on dopamine oxidase and pyrocatechol oxidase activities. Energy for inactivation (Ea) obtained using dopamine and pyrocatechol were 30.8 kJ/mol and 7.1 kJ/mol from respective substrates. Conclusion: Ascorbic acid was a better inhibitor where 82.32% of PPOs inhibition was achieved. At 65°C, their D-values ranged from 44.72 to 72.72 min. Hence, heat treatment at 65°C for 30 min reduced browning of eggplant fruit. These data regarding the properties of PPO should enhance understanding of the browning reaction in eggplant and lead to the development of techniques for controlling this undesirable process.

Effect of different drying temperatures on the rehydration of the fruiting bodies of Yu Muer (Auricularia cornea) and screening of browning inhibitors

In this study, the color of the dry fruiting bodies, drying ratio, amino acids, and total phenolics, which are of nutritional or commercial interest, were compared among different drying temperature treatments. The effect of rehydration methods and color protection reagents on the fruiting body-color, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, and browning inhibition rate were evaluated. The results showed that drying with hot air at 65°C was quickest and resulted in a better color without compromising the drying ratio and rehydration ratio of the fruiting bodies. Furthermore, some reactions that occurred under high temperatures increased the content of protein, amino acids, and total phenolics. Soaking after boiling was the most suitable rehydration method, leading to the lowest PPO activity (39.87±1.35 U/g). All of the four analyzed color protection reagents could significantly inhibit the browning of Yu Muer fruiting bodies under room temperature water rehydration conditions.