Combination of thermal and dual-frequency sonication processes for optimum microbiological and antioxidant properties in cherry tomato

2019

English

Cherry tomato fruits were treated with three dual-frequency ultrasound (US) at dif- ferent temperature and time. The three treatment variables, that is, dual-frequency US, temperature, and time were optimized with the aid of response surface meth- odology (RSM). About 20/40 kHz, 52°C, and 6 min were the optimum condition ob- tained for total bacteria count (TBC, 1.08 log cfu/g), firmness (15.90 N), and total phenolic content (TPC, 34.34 mg GAE/100 g). All the linear relations of the treatment variables showed a significantly negative and positive effect on the TBC and TPC, re- spectively, while positive significant effects were obtained for some of the relations of the firmness. Hence dual-frequency sonication is effective for microbial safety and maintaining the quality of cherry tomato. Also, RSM was found to be a useful tool in setting and optimizing the variables responsible for sonication treatment.

Mustapha, A. T.; Zhou, C.; Wahia, H.; Sarpong, F.; Nasiru, M. M.; Adegbemiga, Y. B.; Ma, H.