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Effect of Osmotic Dehydration on Physicochemical Properties of Pineapple using Honey, Sucrose and Honey-Sucrose Solutions

Demands for processed food products are rising worldwide and, consumers nowadays have adopted a healthy lifestyle and are always looking for the products which are advantageous for their health and have the characteristics and taste of a fresh commodity at the same time. Many techniques or combination of techniques have been tried to expand the shelf life of the perishable food commodities. One of the simplest methods which do not require sophisticated equipment is osmotic dehydration. Osmotic dehydration is an excellent phenomenon in which removal of water happens from an area of higher concentration to an area where concentration is lower through a membrane known as a semi-permeable membrane. Since osmotic dehydration lowers the water activity of food item; it has found broad application in the field of food material preservation. In this study pineapple cubes were dehydrated with osmotic dehydration followed by tray drying at 60℃ were assessed for physicochemical properties such as moisture, ash, rehydration ratio, ascorbic acid, water activity, color parameters and sensory properties. Sucrose solution, honey solution and honey-sucrose solution were used as osmotic agents. Duncan’s test was used to analyze the obtained data. Results showed that the pineapple sample cubes treated with honey sucrose solution at 50⁰C temperature were found to have better rehydration characteristics and lowest moisture content value as compared to the other samples. Sensory evaluation of all the samples revealed that highest scores were obtained by the sample containing both sucrose and honey (50⁰C). Highest ascorbic acid content after the osmotic dehydration was found in sample with sucrose and honey. Hence, sample with combination of sucrose and honey solution at 50⁰C proved to be the best in terms of nutritional quality, shelf stability and all other tested parameters. Therefore, many products with enhanced shelf life can be prepared using this rapid and economical technique.