The effects of ultrasound and ascorbic acid cotreatment on the browning inhibition and microbial growth of fresh-cut Tsugaru apples were investigated. The prepared samples were dipped in distilled water (Cont) or 1% (w/v) ascorbic acid solution (AA) and were then ultrasonicated in distilled water (US) or 1% (w/v) ascorbic acid solution (AA+US). The samples were then packed in a 0.04mm polypropylene bag (20×15 cm) and were stored at 10℃ for eight days. The AA+US treated samples showed high L* and low a*, b* values as well as inactivated PPO activity. The growth of the total aerobic bacteria also inhibited the AA+US treated samples more. The physicochemical properties were not different among all the samples. It was demonstrated in this paper that the ultrasonication treatment with ascorbic acid prevented the enzymatic browning of and microbial growth in fresh-cut Tsugaru apples.

Whole apples were cut with a sharp or dull knife, and whole cabbages and crisp lettuce heads were cut into salad or thin strips with a knife or by hand. The fresh-cut apples, cabbages, and lettuce were packed in low-density polyethylene bags and kept at 4°C, and their qualities were investigated. Browning and softening of the apples that were cut with a sharp knife were more delayed than those of the apples that were cut with a dull knife. The soluble solids and pH of the fresh-cut apples were not affected by the sharpness of the cutting blade. The browning indexes of the fresh-cut cabbages and lettuce were significantly lower in the samples that were cut with a knife than by hand and in the samples that were cut into large pieces. The results suggest that the cutting blade sharpness, cutting tools, and cut types affected the quality of the fresh-cut apples and leafy vegetables, and that the cutting methods which minimized the cutting damage should be used to retard the browning and softening of the produce

Fresh-cut burdock roots were processed at 4 and 25℃, respectively. The fresh-cut burdock roots were treated with different browning inhibitors (3% citric acid, 3% sodium chloride, 0.3% cystein, and 3% sodium acetate solutions), and the changes in their quality and browning characteristics were investigated. The respiration rate and browning index of the cut roots prepared at 4℃ were lower than those of the cut roots prepared at 25℃. The soluble solid content was higher in the cut roots prepared at 4℃ than in those prepared at 25℃. The weight loss and flesh firmness were not affected by the processing temperatures. Among the browning inhibitors, 0.3% cystein showed the best browning-retarding effect. There was no difference in phenolic compound content between the browning-inhibitor-treated roots and the nontreated roots, but the PPO activity was higher in the latter than in the former. Therefore, the processing temperatures of fresh-cut burdock roots affected their quality and browning development, and the combination of a low processing temperature and the use of the proper browning inhibitor should be applied for the higher quality of the produce.

The effect of browning inhibitors on quality properties of fresh-cut strawberries was investigated. Half-cut strawberries were treated with dipping solutions alone and with combinations of 1% ascorbic acid, 1% citric acid, 1% sodium chloride, and 1% magnesium chloride, were packaged with low density polyethylene bags, and were kept for 24 hours at 4ºC. The levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the packages of the samples treated with the combined solutions were the highest and the lowest, respectively. The loss of L value and flesh firmness of fresh-cut strawberries was retarded by the combined solutions than by the dipping solutions alone. The soluble solids and pH were not affected by the browning inhibitor. These results suggest that mixture of ascorbic acid, citric acid, sodium chloride, magnesium chloride may prevent browning and softening of fresh-cut strawberries.

We evaluated the physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics of, bioactive compounds in grape juice prepared from different grape varieties grown in Korea, such as Campbell Early, Steuben, and Muscat Bailey A (MBA), with respect to heating time (30, 45, or 60 min) and temperature (60 ℃, 70 ℃, 80 ℃, or 90 ℃). We found that long heating time and high temperature, especially treatment at for 60 min, significantly affected the physicochemical properties and bioactive compound levels of grape juice. Among the grape juice varieties, Campbell Early juice had the highest level of bioactive compounds. Sensory evaluation scores showed that heating of musts at 80 ℃ for 30 min was associated with the most preferred sensory attributes for Campbell Early grape juice, whereas the most preferred juices from Steuben and MBA grapes were from musts heated at 70 ℃ for 60 min and at 70 ℃ for 30 min, respectively. The bioactive compounds of juice from the three grape varieties were optimal using the above-mentioned processing times and temperatures.