ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Vacuum and Ultrasound-Assisted Impregnation of Gala Apples with Sea Buckthorn Juice and Calcium Lactate: Functional Properties, Antioxidant Profile, and Activity of Polyphenol Oxidase and Peroxidase of Freeze-Dried Products
More details
Hide details
1
Department of Gastronomy Science and Functional Foods, Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 31, 60-624 Poznań, Poland
2
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Piazza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena, Italy, Italy
3
Interdepartmental Centre for Agri-Food Industrial Research, University of Bologna, Via Quinto Bucci 336, 47521 Cesena, Italy
4
Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 31, 60-624 Poznań, Poland
5
Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Life Sciences, Skromna 8, 20-704 Lublin, Poland
6
Department of Fruit, Vegetable and Plant Nutraceutical Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chełmońskiego 37, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
Submission date: 2025-05-17
Acceptance date: 2025-08-12
Corresponding author
Anna Gramza-Michałowska
Department of Gastronomy Science and Functional Foods, Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 31, 60-624 Poznań, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Vacuum impregnation (VI) and ultrasound-assisted impregnation (US) were applied to Gala apples with the aim of improving the antioxidant capacity and calcium content of freeze-dried apples. An impregnation solution was composed of 93.8% sea buckthorn (SB) juice with 0 and 4% (w/w) calcium lactate (CaL). Gala apples conventionally impregnated (CON) at 30°C for 120 min were also prepared for comparison. The VI was performed at 200, 400, and 600 mbar with 10 min of each holding and relaxation time. US treatment was performed for 10, 20, and 30 min and was continued with CON for 110, 100, and 90 min, respectively. The VI at 200 mbar and US for 30 min produced freeze-dried samples with the highest antioxidant capacity, higher than that of the CON and the non-impregnated samples: fresh apple (FA) and those after dipping in 1% ascorbic acid (FA+AA). The addition of 4% CaL optimally improved the calcium content when VI at 200 mbar and US for 20 min were applied. Generally, the freeze-dried apples impregnated under these conditions had lower antioxidant capacity compared to those treated without CaL. The impregnation process (CON, VI, and US) affected the mass transfer and composition of phenolics and carotenoids in the freeze-dried apples. Additionally, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities were completely inhibited upon CON and US treatment for 30 min at 0% CaL. While at 4% CaL, US for 20 min reduced PPO activity by 19.4% as compared to FA+AA. The end products, particularly those obtained at 4% CaL, could serve as potential functional snacks for consumers with osteoporosis and calcium issues, considering their calcium content and antioxidant properties.
FUNDING
This research was funded by the National Science Centre, Poland, grant number: 2023/49/N/NZ9/00862.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
REFERENCES (63)
1.
Aguirre-García, M., Hernández-Carranza, P., Cortés-Zavaleta, O., Ruiz-Espinosa, H., Ochoa-Velasco, C.E., Ruiz-López, I.I. (2020). Mass transfer analysis of bioactive compounds in apple wedges impregnated with beetroot juice: A 3D modelling approach. Journal of Food Engineering, 282, art. no. 110003.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoo....
2.
Ahmad-Qasem, M.H., Nijsse, J., García-Pérez, J.V., Khalloufi, S. (2017). The role of drying methods on enzymatic activity and phenolics content of impregnated dried apple. Drying Technology, 35(10), 1204–1213.
https://doi.org/10.1080/073739....
3.
AOAC (2002). Official Methods of Analysis (17th ed.). Method number: 920.15. The Association of Official Analytical Chemists International, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
4.
Arnold, M., Białas, W., Kulczyński, B., Multisona, R.R., Suliburska, J., Świeca, M., Wojdyło, A., Gramza-Michałowska, A. (2025). Product development study of freeze-dried apples enriched with sea buckthorn juice and calcium lactate. Molecules, 30(7), art. no. 1504.
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecu....
5.
Arnold, M., Gramza-Michałowska, A. (2022). Enzymatic browning in apple products and its inhibition treatments: A comprehensive review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 21(6), 5038–5076.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4....
6.
Assis, F.R., Rodrigues, L.G.G., Tribuzi, G., de Souza, P.G., Carciofi, B.A.M., Laurindo, J.B. (2019). Fortified apple (Malus spp., var. Fuji) snacks by vacuum impregnation of calcium lactate and convective drying. LWT – Food Science and Technology, 113, art. no. 108298.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.....
7.
Batista de Medeiros, R.A., Vieira da Silva Júnior, E., Fernandes da Silva, J.H., da Cunha Ferreira Neto, O., Rupert Brandão, S.C., Pimenta Barros, Z.M., Sá da Rocha, O.R., Azoubel, P.M. (2019). Effect of different grape residues polyphenols impregnation techniques in mango. Journal of Food Engineering, 262, 1–8.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoo....
8.
Benzie, I.F.F., Strain, J.J. (1999). Ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay: Direct measure of total antioxidant activity of biological fluids and modified version for simultaneous measurement of total antioxidant power and ascorbic acid concentration. Methods in Enzymology, 299, 15–27.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0076-....
9.
Besco, E., Braccioli, E., Vertuani, S., Ziosi, P., Brazzo, F., Bruni, R., Sacchetti, G., Manfredini, S. (2007). The use of photochemiluminescence for the measurement of the integral antioxidant capacity of baobab products. Food Chemistry, 102(4), 1352–1356.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.food....
10.
Buera, M.P., Petriella, C., Lozano, R.D. (1985). Definition of color in the non-enzymatic browning process. Die Farbe, 32/33(2), 316–326.
11.
Casim, S., Romero-Bernal, A.R., Contigiani, E., Mazzobre, F., Gómez, P.L., Alzamora, S.M. (2023). Design of apple snacks – A study of the impact of calcium impregnation method on physicochemical properties and structure of apple tissues during convective drying. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies, 85, art. no. 103342.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifse....
12.
Castagnini, J.M., Tappi, S., Tylewicz, U., Romani, S., Rocculi, P., Rosa, M.D. (2021). Sustainable development of apple snack formulated with blueberry juice and trehalose. Sustainability, 13(16), art. no. 9204.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su1316....
13.
Ciesarová, Z., Murkovic, M., Cejpek, K., Kreps, F., Tobolková, B., Koplík, R., Belajová, E., Kukurová, K., Daško, Ľ., Panovská, Z., Revenco, D., Burčová, Z. (2020). Why is sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) so exceptional? A review. Food Research International, 133, art. no. 109170.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.food....
14.
De la Peña-Armada, R., Mateos-Aparicio, I. (2022). Sustainable approaches using green technologies for apple by-product valorisation as a new perspective into the history of the apple. Molecules, 27(20), art. no. 6937.
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecu....
15.
Dinçer, C. (2022). Modeling of hibiscus anthocyanins transport to apple tissue during ultrasound-assisted vacuum impregnation. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 46(6), 1–10.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.1....
17.
Francis, F.J., Clydesdale, F.M. (1975). Food Colorimetry: Theory and Applications. AVI Publishing Co. Inc.
18.
Giannakourou, M., Strati, I.F., Kriebardis, A.G., Mantanika, V., Poulis, S., Zoumpoulakis, P., Sinanoglou, V.J. (2019). Shelf life extension and quality improvement of cucumber slices impregnated in infusions of edible herbs. Analytical Letters, 52(17), 2677–2691.
https://doi.org/10.1080/000327....
19.
González-Pérez, J.E., Jiménez-González, O., Ramírez-Corona, N., Guerrero-Beltrán, J.A., López-Malo, A. (2022). Vacuum impregnation on apples with grape juice concentrate: Effects of pressure, processing time, and juice concentration. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies, 77, art. no. 102981.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifse....
20.
Guo, R., Guo, X., Li, T., Fu, X., Liu, R.H. (2017). Comparative assessment of phytochemical profiles, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) berries. Food Chemistry, 221, 997–1003.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.food....
21.
Indriani, S., Benjakul, S., Quan, T.H., Sitanggang, A.B., Chaijan, M., Kaewthong, P., Petcharat, T., Karnjanapratum, S. (2023). Effect of different ultrasound-assisted process modes on extraction yield and molecular characteristics of pepsin-soluble collagen from Asian bullfrog skin. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 16(12), 3019–3032.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947....
22.
Iqbal, A., Murtaza, A., Marszałek, K., Iqbal, M.A., Chughtai, M.F.J., Hu, W., Barba, F.J., Bi, J., Liu, X., Xu, X. (2020). Inactivation and structural changes of polyphenol oxidase in quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) juice subjected to ultrasonic treatment. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 100(5), 2065–2073.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.1....
23.
Judd, D.B., Wyszecki, G. (1963). Color in Business, Science and Industry. 2nd edition. John Wiley Sons, pp. 1-500.
24.
Kidoń, M., Radziejewska-Kubzdela, E., Biegańska-Marecik, R., Kowalczewski, P.Ł. (2023). Suitability of apples flesh from different cultivars for vacuum impregnation process. Applied Sciences, 13(3), art. no. 1528.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app130....
25.
Kowalska, J., Marzec, A., Domian, E., Galus, S., Ciurzyńska, A., Lenart, A., Kowalska, H. (2020). The use of antioxidant potential of chokeberry juice in creating pro-healthy dried apples by hybrid (Convection-microwave-vacuum) method. Molecules, 25(23), art. no. 5680.
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecu....
26.
Kulczyński, B., Sidor, A., Brzozowska, A., Gramza-Michałowska, A. (2024). The role of carotenoids in bone health – A narrative review. Nutrition, 119, art. no. 112306.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.....
27.
Lech, K., Michalska, A., Wojdyło, A., Nowicka, P., Figiel, A. (2018). The influence of physical properties of selected plant materials on the process of osmotic dehydration. LWT – Food Science and Technology, 91, 588–594.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.....
29.
Martiniakova, M., Babikova, M., Mondockova, V., Blahova, J., Kovacova, V., Omelka, R. (2022). The role of macronutrients, micronutrients and flavonoid polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Nutrients, 14(3), art. no. 523.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu1403....
30.
Masztalerz, K., Lech, K., Wojdyło, A., Nowicka, P., Michalska-Ciechanowska, A., Figiel, A. (2021). The impact of the osmotic dehydration process and its parameters on the mass transfer and quality of dried apples. Drying Technology, 39(8), 1074–1086.
https://doi.org/10.1080/073739....
31.
Mierzwa, D., Szadzińska, J., Gapiński, B., Radziejewska-Kubzdela, E., Biegańska-Marecik, R. (2022). Assessment of ultrasound-assisted vacuum impregnation as a method for modifying cranberries’ quality. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 89, art. no. 106117.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ults....
32.
Moon, K.M., Kwon, E.B., Lee, B., Kim, C.Y. (2020). Recent trends in controlling the enzymatic browning of fruit and vegetable products. Molecules, 25(12), art. no. 2754.
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecu....
33.
Muzaffar, S., Ahmad, M., Wani, S.M., Gani, A., Baba, W.N., Shah, U., Khan, A.A., Masoodi, F.A., Gani, A., Wani, T.A. (2016). Ultrasound treatment: effect on physicochemical, microbial and antioxidant properties of cherry (Prunus avium). Journal of Food Science and Technology, 53(6), 2752–2759.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197....
35.
Neri, L., Santarelli, V., Di Mattia, C.D., Sacchetti, G., Faieta, M., Mastrocola, D., Pittia, P. (2019). Effect of dipping and vacuum impregnation pretreatments on the quality of frozen apples: A comparative study on organic and conventional fruits. Journal of Food Science, 84(4), 798–806.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3....
36.
Nowacka, M., Dadan, M., Tylewicz, U. (2021). Current applications of ultrasound in fruit and vegetables osmotic dehydration processes. Applied Sciences, 11(3), art. no. 1269.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app110....
37.
Ou, B., Hampsch-Woodill, M., Prior, R.L. (2001). Development and validation of an improved oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay using fluorescein as the fluorescent probe. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 49(10), 4619–4626.
https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0105....
38.
Panayampadan, A.S., Alam, M.S., Aslam, R., Kaur, J. (2022). Vacuum impregnation process and its potential in modifying sensory, physicochemical and nutritive characteristics of food products. Food Engineering Reviews, 14(2), 229–256.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12393....
39.
Pasławska, M., Stepien, B., Nawirska-Olszanska, A., Sala, K. (2019). Studies on the effect of mass transfer in vacuum impregnation on the bioactive potential of apples. Molecules, 24(19), art. n. 3533.
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecu....
40.
Plasek, B., Lakner, Z., Kasza, G., Temesi, Á. (2020). Consumer evaluation of the role of functional food products in disease prevention and the characteristics of target groups. Nutrients, 12(1), art. no. 69.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu1201....
41.
Raj, Y., Kumar, A., Das, S., Srivatsan, V., Kumar, D., Kumar, R. (2021). A comparative analysis of compositional and phytochemical attributes in fruits of low chilling apple varieties cultivated in the eastern and western Himalaya. Scientia Horticulturae, 286(6), art. no. 110221.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scie....
42.
Re, R., Pellegrini, N., Proteggente, A., Pannala, A., Yang, M., Rice-Evans, C. (1999). Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Free Radical Biology Medicine, 26(9-10), 1231–1237.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-....
43.
Rodríguez-Arzuaga, M., Ríos, G., Piagentini, A.M. (2019). Mild heat treatments before minimal processing reduce browning susceptibility and increase total phenolic content of low-chill apple cultivars. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 43(11), art. no. e14209.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.1....
44.
Rojas-Graü, M.A., Soliva-Fortuny, R., Martín-Belloso, O. (2008). Effect of natural antibrowning agents on color and related enzymes in fresh-cut fuji apples as an alternative to the use of ascorbic acid. Journal of Food Science, 73(6), S267–S272.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750....
45.
Sánchez-Moreno, C., Larrauri, J.A., Saura-Calixto, F. (1998). A procedure to measure the antiradical efficiency of polyphenols. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 76(2), 270–276.
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)...<270::AID-JSFA945>3.0.CO;2-9.
46.
Santarelli, V., Neri, L., Sacchetti, G., Di Mattia, C.D., Mastrocola, D., Pittia, P. (2020). Response of organic and conventional apples to freezing and freezing pre-treatments: Focus on polyphenols content and antioxidant activity. Food Chemistry, 308, art. no. 125570.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.food....
47.
Sikora, M., Złotek, U., Świeca, M. (2020). Effect of basil leaves and wheat bran water extracts on enzymatic browning of lettuce. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 55(3), 1318–1325.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.1....
48.
Silva, K.S., Fernandes, M.A., Mauro, M.A. (2014). Effect of calcium on the osmotic dehydration kinetics and quality of pineapple. Journal of Food Engineering, 134, 37–44.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoo....
49.
Singleton, V.L., Rossi, J.A. (1965). Colorimetry of total phenolics with phosphomolybdic-phosphotungstic acid reagents. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 16(3), 144–158.
https://doi.org/10.5344/ajev.1....
50.
Suliburska, J., Krejpcio, Z. (2014). Evaluation of the content and bioaccessibility of iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium from groats, rice, leguminous grains and nuts. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 51(3), 589–594.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197....
51.
Tappi, S., Tylewicz, U., Romani, S., Siroli, L., Patrignani, F., Dalla Rosa, M., Rocculi, P. (2016). Optimization of vacuum impregnation with calcium lactate of minimally processed melon and shelf-life study in real storage conditions. Journal of Food Science, 81(11), E2734–E2742.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3....
52.
Techakanon, C., Barrett, D.M. (2017). The effect of calcium chloride and calcium lactate pretreatment concentration on peach cell integrity after high-pressure processing. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52(3), 635–643.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.1....
53.
Testa, R., Rizzo, G., Schifani, G., Tinebra, I., Farina, V., Vella, F., Migliore, G. (2023). Can dried fruits replace unhealthy snacking among millennials? An empirical study on dried fruit consumption in Italy. Sustainability), 15(9), art. no. 7083.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su1509....
54.
Tkacz, K., Wojdyło, A., Turkiewicz, I.P., Bobak, Ł., Nowicka, P. (2019). Anti-oxidant and anti-enzymatic activities of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) fruits modulated by chemical components. Antioxidants, 8(12), art. no. 618.
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox....
55.
Tkacz, K., Wojdyło, A., Turkiewicz, I.P., Ferreres, F., Moreno, D.A., Nowicka, P. (2020). UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS profiling of phenolic and carotenoid compounds and their influence on anticholinergic potential for AChE and BuChE inhibition and on-line antioxidant activity of selected Hippophaë rhamnoides L. cultivars. Food Chemistry, 309, art. no. 125766.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.food....
56.
Trusinska, M., Rybak, K., Drudi, F., Tylewicz, U., Nowacka, M. (2024). Combined effect of ultrasound and vacuum impregnation for the modification of apple tissue enriched with aloe vera juice. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 104, art. no. 106812.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ults....
57.
Tylewicz, U., Oliveira, G., Alminger, M., Nohynek, L., Dalla Rosa, M., Romani, S. (2020). Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of organic fruits subjected to PEF-assisted osmotic dehydration. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies, 62, art. no. 102341.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifse....
58.
Vasile, F.E., Simal, S., Rosselló, C., Eim, V.S. (2022). Power ultrasound-assisted impregnation of apple cubes with vitamin B12. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 15(1), 219–229.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947....
59.
Vinod, B.R., Asrey, R., Sethi, S., Menaka, M., Meena, N.K., Shivaswamy, G. (2024). Recent advances in vacuum impregnation of fruits and vegetables processing: A concise review. Heliyon, 10(7), art. no. e28023.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heli....
60.
Wang, X., Kahraman, O., Feng, H. (2022). Impact of osmotic dehydration with/without vacuum pretreatment on apple slices fortified with hypertonic fruit juices. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 15(7), 1588–1602.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947....
61.
Yılmaz, F.M., Ersus Bilek, S. (2018). Ultrasound-assisted vacuum impregnation on the fortification of fresh-cut apple with calcium and black carrot phenolics. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 48, 509–516.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ults....
62.
Yuca, H., Şenocak, T.Ç., Yiğit, O., Albayrak, M.G., Güvenalp, Z. (2024). Semi-quantitative analysis on sea buckthorn phenolic-rich extract coating bone-like open porous NiTi-based alloy. Heliyon, 10(14), art. no. e34594.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heli....
63.
Zhang, Z., Chen, Y., Chen, Z., Gao, Z., Cheng, Y., Qu, K. (2024). Quality analysis and assessment of representative sea buckthorn fruits in northern China. Food Chemistry: X, 24, art. no. 101828.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foch....