Effect of osmotic agent and vacuum application on mass exchange and qualitative parameters of osmotically dehydrated strawberries

Sucrose is the most commonly used solute in the osmotic dehydration (OD) of fruits. However, there is increasing interest in replacing it with other alternative sugars. Polyols are carbohydrates with low glycemic, insulinemic, and cariogenic indexes. Therefore, this work aimed to study the influence of the type of osmotic agent (sucrose, erythritol, or maltitol) and vacuum application on mass transfer and physical and nutritional changes in 10-mm edge strawberry cubes. OD was performed with or without vacuum application during the first 20 min in a total process time of 300 min. Higher solid gain, water loss and weight reduction, and lower water activity and moisture content were observed by using erythritol solution. The vacuum application strengthened this behavior. The color of the samples was affected by factors. Osmotic processes reduced the total anthocyanin content (TAC), showing that leaching is an important qualitative flow during osmotic processes. Novelty impact statement Polyols showed good potential as an osmotic agent in the osmotic dehydration of strawberries and are a good alternative to the use of sucrose. Osmotic dehydration promoted a satisfactory impregnation of polyols in the strawberry, mainly with the application of vacuum, in which the mass exchange rates were increased. However, leaching was an important flow of anthocyanin loss from strawberries to the osmotic solution.

Automated summary

This study investigated the influence of different osmotic agents (sucrose, erythritol, or maltitol) and vacuum application on mass transfer and physical and nutritional changes in strawberry cubes during osmotic dehydration. Results showed that erythritol solution exhibited higher solid gain, water loss, weight reduction, lower water activity, and moisture content. Vacuum application enhanced these effects. Osmotic processes also affected the color and decreased the total anthocyanin content of the samples.