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Abstract(s)
The market of processed fruits has grown rapidly in recent decades as a result of
changes in consumer preferences and attitudes. Strawberry is one of most preferred fruits
to incorporate in milk based products or other derived-products.
Strawberry antioxidant capacity is affected by the different post-harvest features,
such as processing and storage conditions (e.g., time, temperature). Although reducing
quality, these processing conditions are required for safety, quality and economic reasons.
In order to assure microbial stability some thermal processing techniques can be
applied. These techniques as well storage conditions after processing can affect the
phytochemicals composition and nutritional quality of fruit by promoting changes
resulting from cell wall and membrane disruption and chemical reactions.
Thermal processing of fruits involves heating to temperatures ranging from 50 to 150
ºC, depending on pH of the product and desired shelf-life. Such treatments may cause
undesirable biochemical changes that affect the sensory and nutritional quality of the
final product.
Antioxidants play a key role in the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases,
and the reduction of chronic diseases has been associated to diets rich in plant foods,
particularly fruits.
Strawberries are a good source of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins and flavonols, and
among the fruits, they possess one of the highest antioxidant activities. Among the
phytochemicals, phenols, have received a great deal of attention because of their
antioxidant activity, which help to neutralise free radicals. Strawberries are a good source
of polyphenols such as tannins, ellagic acid and anthocyanins. Thermal treatment is one
of the most important factors affecting the stability of phenolic compounds. During processing and subsequent storage, phenolic content and antioxidant activity
is changed mainly associated to thermal degradation of anthocyanins, but also due to
chemical reactions occurring during storage of processed fruit promoted by temperature
but also by other factors such as oxygen present in air, acidity of the medium, presence of
enzymes or metals.
The aim of this chapter, therefore, is to review the impact of different thermal
techniques and associated storage conditions (e.g., time and temperature) of processed
strawberry on nutritional and functional characteristics of strawberries, and establish their
role on the quality of fruit.
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Pedagogical Context
Citation
OLIVEIRA, Ana ; PINTADO, M. E. - Impact of processing on nutritional and functional properties of strawberry. In MALONE, Nathan (ed.) – Strawberries: Cultivation, Antioxidant Properties and Health Benefits. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2014. ISBN 978-1-63321-524-5. Chapter 2, p. 21-37