Modeling the kinetics of peroxidase inactivation, colour and texture changes of Portuguese cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC) during UV-C light and heat blanching

Abstract

The effects of heat blanching and UV-C light followed by heat on Portuguese cabbage peroxidase (POD), colour and texture were studied in the temperature range of 80-95 °C. POD inactivation, lightness (L) and yellowness (b) colour changes were described by a first-order reaction model. The greenness (a) colour and texture (firmness) changes followed a two fraction kinetic model behaviour. The temperature effect was well described by the Arrhenius law.

At lower temperatures the combined treatment showed higher POD inactivation. Colour and texture parameters did not show significant differences between treatments. Long processing times turned the leaves slightly darker, decreased greenness, yellowness and firmness. Short processing times increased the  firmness and greenness of the leaves. The treatment at 80 °C for 90 seconds reduced 90% of POD, retaining 98% of lightness and 92% of yellowness and improved the green colour (130%) and firmness (125%). At 80 °C the heat blanching required 7.4 min to inactivate 90% of the enzyme activity, reducing lightness, greenness, yellowness and firmness to 92%, 68%, 62% and 61%, respectively. The present findings will help to optimize the Portuguese cabbage blanching conditions.