Influence of sodium replacement and vacuum pulse on the osmotic dehydration of eggplant slices

摘要

Partial replacement of sodium chloride by potassium and calcium chlorides has been proposed as a strategy for reducing the sodium content of osmodehydrated eggplant. The influence of sodium substitutes and vacuum application (VA) on mass transfer parameters and chemical, mechanical and optical properties were investigated. Kinetics of water loss, solid gain and water activity were performed and fitted by the model of Barbosa Junior et al. This model was satisfactorily adjusted, mainly for the osmotic dehydration at atmosphere pressure. VA and the calcium increased the ascorbic acid retention in 29.33 and 85.06%, respectively. VA increased water loss up to 53% and ions incorporation, especially that of potassium (648%). The VA caused a higher total color difference, maximum stress and elasticity as compared to the osmotic dehydration at atmospheric pressure.