Evaluation of plasma, high‐pressure and ultrasound processing on the stability of fructooligosaccharides. (13th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alves Filho, Elenilson G.; Cullen, Patrick J.; Frias, Jesus M.; Bourke, Paula; Tiwari, Brijesh K.; Brito, Edy S.; Rodrigues, Sueli; Fernandes, Fabiano A.N.
• Is Part Of: International journal of food science & technology. Volume 51:Number 9(2016)
• Page Start: 2034
• Page End: 2040
• Publication Date: 2016-07-13
• Subjects: Fructooligosaccharides -- functional carbohydrates -- high‐pressure processing -- NMR -- nonthermal technology; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.13175
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-5423

Abstract

Summary: Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are among the main carbohydrates with prebiotic activity, and they are the most applied functional carbohydrate ingredient in the food industry. FOS are known to hydrolyse when subjected to thermal processing, thus partially losing its functional properties. In this study, we evaluate whether three nonthermal technologies are suitable for processing FOS regarding its stability after processing. FOS were subjected to ultrasound, high‐pressure processing (HPP) and atmospheric cold plasma (ACP). The FOS solution, 70 g L −1, was set at a concentration recommended for human intake. The treatments were carried out at operating conditions usually used for microbial inactivation in foods (HPP at 450 MPa for 5 min; US at 600–1200 W L −1 for 5 min; ACP at 70 kV for 15–60 s). NMR and HPLC analysis of the FOS components showed that ACP, ultrasound and HPP have not induced any significant change on FOS concentration (<2.0%) nor on the degree of polymerisation of the FOS (<3.3%). Contrarily to what is reported for thermal treatments, these nonthermal technologies were considered suitable for FOS processing. Abstract : Nonthermal processes, such as atmospheric cold plasma (direct or indirect application), high‐pressure processing (HPP) and ultrasonic treatment followed by HPP, may be applied to liquids containing FOS in its formulation, without compromising its concentration and thus prebiotic potential.