Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A utilizaÃÃo de sucos de frutas para o desenvolvimento de alimentos funcionais probiÃticos tem sido uma alternativa de consumo para indivÃduos que nÃo querem ou nÃo podem fazer uso de produtos lÃcteos fermentados. Desse modo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma bebida com propriedades probiÃticas à partir da fermentaÃÃo do suco de melÃo Cantaloupe por Lactobacillus casei NRRL B-442. A primeira etapa da pesquisa consistiu na otimizaÃÃo de parÃmetros de pH e temperatura de fermentaÃÃo para o desenvolvimento de L. casei no suco de melÃo. Os resultados mostraram que a linhagem probiÃtica estudada apresentou potencial fermentativo em suco de melÃo, nÃo havendo necessidade de suplementaÃÃo com nutrientes para a obtenÃÃo de valores adequados de pH e nÃmero de cÃlulas viÃveis. A melhor condiÃÃo encontrada que garantisse um bom crescimento do micro-organismo alÃm de assegurar a viabilidade celular necessÃria para que o produto seja considerado probiÃtico foi a temperatura de 31ÂC com o pH inicial do suco de 6,1. Neste trabalho foi demonstrada a vantagem tecnolÃgica do uso de suco de melÃo como substrato para a fermentaÃÃo probiÃtica uma vez que o pH natural do suco proporcionou um meio favorÃvel para o desenvolvimento do micro-organismo. Em uma segunda etapa, investigou-se o efeito do tratamento ultra-sÃnico nos parÃmetros de qualidade do suco de melÃo em funÃÃo da intensidade de energia ultra-sÃnica e do tempo de tratamento. O processamento ultra-sÃnico utilizando intensidade de 372,93 W/cm2 durante 10 minutos melhorou as caracterÃsticas de qualidade do suco reduzindo a atividade de enzimas deteriorantes, aumentando a homogeneidade sem causar danos à cor do produto. Considerando estes resultados, na terceira etapa da pesquisa foram estudadas a cinÃtica da produÃÃo de suco de melÃo sonificado probiÃtico e a influÃncia da estocagem sob refrigeraÃÃo em parÃmetros de qualidade da bebida como: sobrevivÃncia de L. casei, pÃs-acidificaÃÃo e cor. O suco de melÃo foi submetido ao processamento ultra-sÃnico, inoculado com 1% (v/v) da cultura e incubado a 31ÂC por 8 horas. Os sucos foram armazenados sob refrigeraÃÃo a 4ÂC. Foram determinados pH e parÃmetros de cor da bebida, crescimento celular e o nÃmero de cÃlulas viÃveis. As anÃlises foram realizadas em intervalos de 7 dias, atà o 42 dia de estocagem. A maior contagem celular foi atingida nas 12 horas do estudo, chegando a 9,0 log UFC/mL, porÃm a partir de 8 hora nÃo houve um aumento significativo da concentraÃÃo de cÃlulas viÃveis, motivo pelo qual elegeu-se 8 horas como o tempo de fermentaÃÃo ideal para a elaboraÃÃo do suco de melÃo probiÃtico. Durante a estocagem refrigerada, houve produÃÃo de Ãcidos e uma discreta reduÃÃo do nÃmero de cÃlulas viÃveis, porÃm o produto manteve prevalÃncia de cÃlulas viÃveis (com Ãndices acima do preconizado pela legislaÃÃo vigente), durante 42 dias de armazenamento a 4ÂC, independentemente de terem sido estocadas com ou sem aÃÃcar sem prejuÃzos à coloraÃÃo do produto. O suco de melÃo foi considerado um veÃculo adequado para a ingestÃo de micro-organismos probiÃticos, pois apresentou contagem de cÃlulas viÃveis superior a 8 log UFC/mL durante todo o perÃodo de estudo. / The use of fruit juices for the development of functional foods has been an alternative for people who do not want or cannot make use of fermented dairy products. The objective of this research was the development of a drink with probiotic properties trough the fermentation of melon juice by Lactobacillus casei NRRL B-442. The first stage of the work consisted of the optimization of pH and temperature of fermentation for the L. casei cultivation in melon juice. Results showed that this strain has fermentative potential in melon juice, with no need of nutrient supplementation to reach the appropriated values of pH and viable cells. The best operating condition found to guarantee a good growth of the microorganism and ensure the cellular viability necessary for the product to be considered probiotic was the temperature of 31ÂC with initial pH of 6.1. The technological advantage of using melon juice as a substrate for probiotic fermentation was demonstrated in this work because the natural pH of the juice provided a favorable environment for the probiotic microorganism development. In a second stage, the effect of ultrasound treatment on quality parameters of melon juice was investigated as a function of intensity of ultrasonic energy and treatment time. The ultrasonic processing intensity using 372.93 W/cm2 for 10 minutes improved the quality of the juice reducing the spoilage due to enzyme activity, increasing homogeneity without damaging the product color. In the third phase of the research, the kinetics of probiotic melon juice fermentation and the influence of the product storage under refrigeration on the beverage quality parameters such as survival of L. casei, post-acidification and color were studied. The melon juice was subjected to ultrasonic processing (372.93 W/cm2/10min) and inoculated with 1% (v/v) and incubated at 31ÂC for 8 hours. The fermented juice was stored at 4ÂC, and pH, color, cell biomass, and viable cells number were evaluated. Analyses were performed at intervals of 7 days until 42 days of storage. The highest cell count was achieved within 12 hours of study, reaching 9.0 log CFU/mL, but from the 8th of fermentation there was no significant increase in the concentration of viable cells. Thus, 8 hours was elected as the optimal fermentation time to prepare the probiotic melon juice. During refrigerated storage there was acid production and a slight reduction in the number of viable cell. However, the product kept the number of viable cells above the level recommended by the current legislation during 42 days of storage at 4ÂC, regardless of having been stocked sugar-free or with sugar addition and no damage to the product color was observed. Melon juice was considered a good vehicle for probiotic microorganism as it showed viable cell count higher than 8 log CFU/mL throughout the studied period.

FONTELES, Thatyane Vidal. Desenvolvimento de uma nova bebida funcional probiótica à base de melão Cantaloupe sonificado. 2011. 122 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Tecnologia de Alimentos, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Tecnologia de Alimentos, Fortaleza-CE, 2011 / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-06-28T14:35:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_tvfonteles.pdf: 1940091 bytes, checksum: d899f4bcf6d27d83e3c7c5b7f04d65a0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-06-28T14:35:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_tvfonteles.pdf: 1940091 bytes, checksum: d899f4bcf6d27d83e3c7c5b7f04d65a0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-28T14:35:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_tvfonteles.pdf: 1940091 bytes, checksum: d899f4bcf6d27d83e3c7c5b7f04d65a0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / The use of fruit juices for the development of functional foods has been an alternative for people who do not want or cannot make use of fermented dairy products. The objective of this research was the development of a drink with probiotic properties trough the fermentation of melon juice by Lactobacillus casei NRRL B-442. The first stage of the work consisted of the optimization of pH and temperature of fermentation for the L. casei cultivation in melon juice. Results showed that this strain has fermentative potential in melon juice, with no need of nutrient supplementation to reach the appropriated values of pH and viable cells. The best operating condition found to guarantee a good growth of the microorganism and ensure the cellular viability necessary for the product to be considered probiotic was the temperature of 31°C with initial pH of 6.1. The technological advantage of using melon juice as a substrate for probiotic fermentation was demonstrated in this work because the natural pH of the juice provided a favorable environment for the probiotic microorganism development. In a second stage, the effect of ultrasound treatment on quality parameters of melon juice was investigated as a function of intensity of ultrasonic energy and treatment time. The ultrasonic processing intensity using 372.93 W/cm2 for 10 minutes improved the quality of the juice reducing the spoilage due to enzyme activity, increasing homogeneity without damaging the product color. In the third phase of the research, the kinetics of probiotic melon juice fermentation and the influence of the product storage under refrigeration on the beverage quality parameters such as survival of L. casei, post-acidification and color were studied. The melon juice was subjected to ultrasonic processing (372.93 W/cm2/10min) and inoculated with 1% (v/v) and incubated at 31°C for 8 hours. The fermented juice was stored at 4°C, and pH, color, cell biomass, and viable cells number were evaluated. Analyses were performed at intervals of 7 days until 42 days of storage. The highest cell count was achieved within 12 hours of study, reaching 9.0 log CFU/mL, but from the 8th of fermentation there was no significant increase in the concentration of viable cells. Thus, 8 hours was elected as the optimal fermentation time to prepare the probiotic melon juice. During refrigerated storage there was acid production and a slight reduction in the number of viable cell. However, the product kept the number of viable cells above the level recommended by the current legislation during 42 days of storage at 4°C, regardless of having been stocked sugar-free or with sugar addition and no damage to the product color was observed. Melon juice was considered a good vehicle for probiotic microorganism as it showed viable cell count higher than 8 log CFU/mL throughout the studied period. / A utilização de sucos de frutas para o desenvolvimento de alimentos funcionais probióticos tem sido uma alternativa de consumo para indivíduos que não querem ou não podem fazer uso de produtos lácteos fermentados. Desse modo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma bebida com propriedades probióticas à partir da fermentação do suco de melão Cantaloupe por Lactobacillus casei NRRL B-442. A primeira etapa da pesquisa consistiu na otimização de parâmetros de pH e temperatura de fermentação para o desenvolvimento de L. casei no suco de melão. Os resultados mostraram que a linhagem probiótica estudada apresentou potencial fermentativo em suco de melão, não havendo necessidade de suplementação com nutrientes para a obtenção de valores adequados de pH e número de células viáveis. A melhor condição encontrada que garantisse um bom crescimento do micro-organismo além de assegurar a viabilidade celular necessária para que o produto seja considerado probiótico foi a temperatura de 31°C com o pH inicial do suco de 6,1. Neste trabalho foi demonstrada a vantagem tecnológica do uso de suco de melão como substrato para a fermentação probiótica uma vez que o pH natural do suco proporcionou um meio favorável para o desenvolvimento do micro-organismo. Em uma segunda etapa, investigou-se o efeito do tratamento ultra-sônico nos parâmetros de qualidade do suco de melão em função da intensidade de energia ultra-sônica e do tempo de tratamento. O processamento ultra-sônico utilizando intensidade de 372,93 W/cm2 durante 10 minutos melhorou as características de qualidade do suco reduzindo a atividade de enzimas deteriorantes, aumentando a homogeneidade sem causar danos à cor do produto. Considerando estes resultados, na terceira etapa da pesquisa foram estudadas a cinética da produção de suco de melão sonificado probiótico e a influência da estocagem sob refrigeração em parâmetros de qualidade da bebida como: sobrevivência de L. casei, pós-acidificação e cor. O suco de melão foi submetido ao processamento ultra-sônico, inoculado com 1% (v/v) da cultura e incubado a 31ºC por 8 horas. Os sucos foram armazenados sob refrigeração a 4°C. Foram determinados pH e parâmetros de cor da bebida, crescimento celular e o número de células viáveis. As análises foram realizadas em intervalos de 7 dias, até o 42º dia de estocagem. A maior contagem celular foi atingida nas 12 horas do estudo, chegando a 9,0 log UFC/mL, porém a partir de 8ª hora não houve um aumento significativo da concentração de células viáveis, motivo pelo qual elegeu-se 8 horas como o tempo de fermentação ideal para a elaboração do suco de melão probiótico. Durante a estocagem refrigerada, houve produção de ácidos e uma discreta redução do número de células viáveis, porém o produto manteve prevalência de células viáveis (com índices acima do preconizado pela legislação vigente), durante 42 dias de armazenamento a 4°C, independentemente de terem sido estocadas com ou sem açúcar sem prejuízos à coloração do produto. O suco de melão foi considerado um veículo adequado para a ingestão de micro-organismos probióticos, pois apresentou contagem de células viáveis superior a 8 log UFC/mL durante todo o período de estudo.

Doctor of Philosophy / Food Science - Animal Sciences & Industry / Kelly J. K. Getty / Produce such as tomatoes, lettuce, and cantaloupes have been associated repeatedly with food outbreaks connected to various Salmonella serovars, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. The aim of this research was to validate washing solutions and techniques in reducing pathogens on produce surfaces. Lettuce (25 ± 0.3g) and tomatoes were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp., respectively. Samples were treated with tap water (TW) or a chemical wash treatment (CWT; containing citric acid) for 30, 60, or 120 s. Reduction of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. populations on the surface of leaf lettuce and tomatoes, respectively, were greater (P<0.05) for CWT (ca. 3.0 logs) than for TW (ca. 2.3- 2.5 logs). Cantaloupes were washed with TW, 9% vinegar solution, or a commercial antimicrobial for fruit and vegetables treatment (CAFVT; containing lactic acid) for 2 min using a washing system. Cantaloupes were cut into wedges or cubes and stored at 4ºC for aerobic plate counts (APC) on days 0, 1, 3, and 6. APC populations of cubed and wedged cantaloupes were different over time (P=0.00052); cantaloupes washed with 9% vinegar solution showed the lowest APC populations after day 1 and 3 of storage. Salmonella spp. or L. monocytogenes inoculated cantaloupes were washed with CPW for 30, 60 or 120 s. Washing cantaloupes for 120 s with CPW showed greater (P<0.05) reductions of Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes populations (1.26 and 1.12 log₁₀ CFU/cm²) than TW (ca. 0.63 log₁₀ CFU/cm²) on cantaloupe surface. Lettuce leaves were inoculated with rifampicin-resistant E. coli surrogates and then washed with CAFVT, 5% vinegar solution or TW for 2 min with agitation (washing system) or without. Log reductions of CAFVT (2.25 log₁₀ CFU/g) were greater (P=0.0145) than those by tap water (1.34 log₁₀ CFU/g), but similar to 5% vinegar solution (2.09 log₁₀ CFU/g). Washing lettuce with continuous agitation achieved higher (P=0.0072) E. coli reductions (2.26 log₁₀ CFU/g) than without agitation (1.53 log₁₀ CFU/g). Overall, incorporation of wash solutions or agitation (washing system) in the washing process compared to TW alone reduced greater (P<0.05) APC, pathogens, or surrogates populations from lettuce, tomato, and cantaloupe surfaces.

<div>Fresh produce has been the leading source of foodborne illness outbreaks in the US, surpassing typical pathogen carriers such as meat, dairy, and seafood. Among the fresh produce popular to the consumers, cantaloupe and sprouts are mostly susceptible to pathogen contaminations and outbreaks. However, it has been a challenge to address the key factor in the contamination - the biofilms formed by pathogens are highly resistant to conventional washing and cleaning procedures. For cantaloupe, the net-like and porous surface forms a barrier for washing. For sprouts, the fragile texture of seedlings prevents aggressive cleaning operation and biofilm removal.</div><div><br></div><div>In this study, innovative interventions were developed to improve microbial safety of fresh produce, using cantaloupe and alfalfa sprouts as models. For cantaloupe, abrasive brushing was designed to remove pathogen biofilm from cantaloupe. Our research found pathogens could form biofilm at cantaloupe rind surface as the residence time of pathogens increased. Biofilm formed on cantaloupe rind was imaged by cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM), and its resistance to sodium hypochlorite and lauroyl arginate ethyl (LAE) was confirmed. Furthermore, abrasive brushing with peroxyacetic acid (PAA) could effectively remove biofilm formed at cantaloupe rind. The efficacy of this novel cleaning technique was highly desirable, which could achieve 3 log reduction in pathogen population. Mechanism of abrasive brushing to remove biofilm at cantaloupe rind surface was also proposed. Conceivably, brushing with diatomaceous earth (DE) and PAA could be an innovative and cost-effective method to remove pathogen biofilm from cantaloupe rind.</div><div><br></div><div>For alfalfa sprouts, since most of the outbreaks are linked to the sprouting seeds, seed disinfection treatments are considered to be the most effective method to improve microbial safety of sprouts. In this study, a newly developed alginate-based, antimicrobial seed coating treatment was evaluated for its efficacy to reduce foodborne pathogens from alfalfa seeds and sprouts. The calcium alginate coating in the presence of 2.5% lactic acid (CA-LA coating) reduced foodborne pathogens inoculated on alfalfa seeds to an undetectable level on day 1 during 28 day-seed storage, while chlorine (20,000 ppm) or lactic acid (2.5%) treatment took longer time to reach the same level. With sprouts, CA-LA coating resulted in > 2.5 log reduction for pathogen cells. In contrast, log reduction was < 0.6 for either chlorine (20,000 ppm) or lactic acid (2.5%) treatment. In general, this study indicated the effect of calcium alginate coating on reducing bacterial load of alfalfa seeds and sprouts, however, the germination rate of treated seeds was compromised due to the addition of lactic acid in the seed coating. Further study is needed to select antimicrobial compounds with minimum impact on germination rate of seeds.</div><div><br></div>

Total soluble solids (TSS) is a reliable indicator of melon eating quality, with a minimum standard of 10% recommended. The state of Australian melon production with respect to this quality criterion was considered within seasons, between growing districts and over seasons. It was concluded that improvement in agronomic practice and varietal selection is required to produce sweeter melons. The scientific literature addressing melon physiology and agronomy was summarised, as a background to the work that is required to improve melon production practices in Australia. The effect of source sink manipulation was assessed for commercially grown and glasshouse grown melon plants. The timing of fruit thinning, pollination scheduling, the application of a growth inhibitor and source biomass removal were assessed in relation to fruit growth and sugar accumulation. Results are interpreted against a model in which fruit rapidly increase in weight until about two weeks before harvest, with sugar accumulation continuing as fruit growth ceases. Thus treatment response is very dependant on timing of application. For example, fruit thinning at 25 days before harvest resulted in further fruit set and increased fruit weight but did not impact on fruit TSS (at 9.8%, control 9.3%), while thinning at 5 days before harvest resulted in a significant (Pless than 0.05) increase in fruit TSS (to 10.8%, control 9.3%) and no increase in fruit weight or number. A cost/ benefit analysis is presented, allowing an estimation of the increase in sale price required to sustain the implementation of fruit thinning. The effect of irrigation scheduling was also considered with respect to increasing melon yield and quality. To date, recommended practice has been to cause an irrigation deficit close to fruit harvest, with the intent of 'drying out' or 'stressing' the plant, to 'bring on' maturity and increase sugar accumulation. Irrigation trials showed that keeping plants stress-free close to harvest and during harvest, facilitated the production of sweeter fruit. The maintenance of a TSS grade standard using either batch based (destructive) sampling or (non-invasive) grading of individual fruit is discussed. On-line grading of individual fruit is possible using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), but the applicability of the technique to melons has received little published attention. Tissue sampling strategy was optimised, in relation to the optical geometry used (in commercial operation in Australia), both in terms of the diameter and depth of sampled tissue. NIR calibration model performance was superior when based on the TSS of outer, rather than inner mesocarp tissue. However the linear relationship between outer and middle tissue TSS was strong (r2 = 0.8) in immature fruit, though less related in maturing fruit (r2 = 0.5). The effect of fruit storage (maturation/senescence) on calibration model performance was assessed. There was a negligible effect of fruit cold storage on calibration performance. Currently, the agronomist lacks a cost-effective tool to rapidly assess fruit TSS in the field. Design parameters for such a tool were established, and several optical front ends compared for rapid, though invasive, analysis. Further, for visualisation of the spatial distribution of tissue TSS within a melon fruit, a two-dimensional, or hyper-spectral NIR imaging system based on a low cost 8-bit charge coupled device (CCD) camera and filter arrangement, was designed and characterised.