INTACTBioPack highlights a new study by Maria Lucia Valeria de Chiara, Nicola De Simone, Maria Cefola, Vittorio Capozzi, and Michela Palumbo at Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), which presents a compelling chemical-free preservation method for fresh-cut apples.
Research Focus: To develop a sustainable alternative to chlorine-based sanitization for minimally processed fruits using combined hurdle technologies.
Key Methodology:
- Product: Fresh-cut ‘Pink Lady’ apple wedges.
- Treatments: Microwave (MW) heating, dipping in a natural anti-browning solution (citric & ascorbic acid), and their combination.
- Packaging: Tested with both Polypropylene (PP) and Polylactic Acid (PLA) films.
Primary Outcomes:
- The most effective treatments integrated both Dipping and MW heating.
- PP+Dipping+MW provided the highest level of microbial suppression.
- PLA+Dipping+MW was identified as the best sustainable option, combining effective preservation with eco-friendly packaging.
- A synergistic effect was confirmed: the combination of treatments was significantly more effective than individual applications.
Conclusion: This research validates the potential of tailored hurdle technologies to enhance the safety, quality, and sustainability of fresh-cut fruit processing.
For a comprehensive view of the data, [Project Name] highlights a new study by Maria Lucia de Chiara et al. at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), which presents a promising chemical-free preservation method for fresh-cut apples.
Research Focus: To develop a sustainable alternative to chlorine-based sanitization for minimally processed fruits using combined hurdle technologies.
Key Methodology:
- Product: Fresh-cut ‘Pink Lady’ apple wedges.
- Treatments: Microwave (MW) heating, dipping in a natural anti-browning solution (citric & ascorbic acid), and their combination.
- Packaging: Tested with both Polypropylene (PP) and Polylactic Acid (PLA) films.
Primary Outcomes:
- The most effective treatments integrated both Dipping and MW heating.
- PP+Dipping+MW provided the highest level of microbial suppression.
- PLA+Dipping+MW was identified as the best sustainable option, combining effective preservation with eco-friendly packaging.
- A synergistic effect was confirmed: the combination of treatments was significantly more effective than individual applications.
Conclusion: This research validates the potential of tailored hurdle technologies to enhance the safety, quality, and sustainability of fresh-cut fruit processing.
