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This research investigated the impact of ohmic heating (OH) on the physicochemical properties and resistant starch formation in native corn starch. Electric field strengths (EFS) of 50, 75, and 100 V/cm were applied to native starch, at a starch-water ratio of 1:1 w/v. The conductivity of the medium is a crucial factor in ohmic heating. In this study, the conductivity values at 120 °C were measured at 1.5 mS/m. The study revealed two distinct outcomes resulting from the application of different EFS. Firstly, a thermal effect induced gelatinization, resulting in a reduction in the enthalpy of corn starch, an increase in the water absorption index (WAI) and the water solubility index (WSI), and a decrease in peak viscosity. Secondly, a non-thermal effect of OH was observed, leading to the electrolysis of certain starch compounds and water. This electrolysis process generated radicals (-OH) that interacted with starch components, augmenting the percentage of resistant starch. This increase was associated with elevated levels of carbonyl and carboxyl groups at 75 and 100 V/cm.

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The nixtamalization process used for tortilla production entails extended processing time and generates pollutant effluents. Ohmic heating (OH) is an emerging technology that uses an alternating electric current for rapid and uniform food heating and mitigates effluent concerns. However, gaps exist in nutrient bioavailability studies. In this work, we assessed OH's impact on tortilla nutritional value, protein, and calcium using a rat model. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were fed one of four diets for 21 days: raw corn (RC) as an experimental control, OH-processed tortillas (OHTs), traditionally processed tortillas (TPTs), commercial tortillas (CTs), and a casein diet (CD) as a growth control. Despite similar protein and macronutrient profiles, OH significantly enhanced insoluble fiber content. The weight gain sequence was OHTs > TPTs > CTs > RC. OHTs exhibited superior protein digestibility (88.52%), which was 3% higher than other diets. The serum albumin (2.63-2.73 g/dL) indicated moderate malnutrition due to the tortilla's lower protein content. Nonetheless, the protein efficiency ratio (1.2-1.74) showed no significant difference from TPTs. Bone characteristics and fracture strength resembled the tortilla-fed groups, surpassing RC. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the OHT and TPT diets improved male rat bone thickness and crystallinity. The findings suggest the potential for OH as an eco-friendly tortilla production method, maintaining nutritional value comparable to traditional methods.

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BACKGROUND: Nixtamalized flour snacks such as tortilla chips are widely consumed across the world, but they are nutritionally poor and contribute to obesity and other non-communicable diseases. The production of healthy versions of such snacks, by incorporating vegetables and improving the quality of the flours used in their formulation, could help address these nutritional challenges. This study compared the fortification of baked tortilla chips with vegetable leaf powders (kale and wild amaranth at 0%, 4%, 8%, and 16% w/w) and using two types of nixtamalized flour: traditional (TNF) and with ohmic heating (OHF). RESULTS: Overall, the use of OHF increased 1.88 times the fibre in enriched and non-enriched snacks with respect to TNF, but the latter had 1.85 times more protein. Addition of 16% of vegetable powders increased protein (kale = 1.4-fold; amaranth = 1.3-fold) and dietary fibre (kale = 1.52-fold; amaranth = 1.7-fold). Amaranth enrichment improved total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of chips at least 1.2 and 1.63 times, respectively. OHF chips also had higher bound TPC than TNF ones, regardless of vegetable addition. Combinations of OHF with 16% amaranth produced chips 1.74-fold higher in antioxidant capacity than non-enriched ones, due to increased content of phenolics such as ferulic acid. CONCLUSION: This work showed that tortilla chips made using nixtamalized flour produced with assisted ohmic heating, alone or in combination with wild amaranth leaf powder, could be used in the production of healthy maize snacks to enhance their prospective antioxidant activity and nutritional value. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

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The processing of high-protein vanilla-flavored milk was performed under different electric field strengths of ohmic heating (5.22 V/cm, OH6; 6.96 V/cm, OH8; 8.70 V/cm, OH10; 10.43 V/cm, OH12) to evaluate the energy consumption, processing parameters, and microbiological, rheological, and biological aspects, compared with the sample submitted to conventional pasteurization (PAST, 72 °C/15 s). All samples showed higher than 12 g/100 mL of protein, consisting of high-protein content products. In addition, Ohmic Heating (OH) generated lower energy expenditure and more significant microbial inactivation of lactic acid bacteria, molds and yeasts, total mesophiles, and psychotropics. Furthermore, OH at lower electric field strengths, mainly OH8, improved anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-hypertensive activities and rheological properties, and resulted in lower hydroxymethylfurfural contents, and higher whey protein nitrogen index. The results suggest that OH is a technology that can be used in flavored milk with high-protein content, being recommended an electric field strength of 6.96 V/cm. However, more studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of OH on high-protein dairy products, mainly by studying other OH processing parameters.

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Heat treatment during pasteurization of mango (Mangifera indica L.) pulp reduces the phenolic content and its potential health benefits. The bioactive content, phenolics profile, and antioxidant capacity of 'Ataulfo' mango pulp after ohmic heating (OH) treatment (15.0-20.0 V/cm), and conventional heating (CT, 72 °C) were evaluated. No significant differences were observed in the gallic acid and mangiferin content and its antioxidant capacity (ABTS). Mass spectrometry analysis (LC/MS-TOF) showed that all treatments produced the same profile of phenolic compounds, including 6 phenolic acids, 2 gallotannins, 1 benzophenone, 2 xanthones, and 3 flavonoids. PCA analysis confirmed that mangiferin and gallic acid were the main contributors to the ABTS antioxidant capacity. These results demonstrate that OH treatments can preserve the compositions of phenolic compounds mango pulp, thus maintaining its potential health benefits.

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Plants from arid zones of Mexico are an interesting source of phytochemicals that exhibit a large number of biological properties. In this context, Rhus microphylla (Rm) and Myrtillocactus geometrizans (Mg) fruits have been used as folk remedies and to make traditional foods, respectively; however, studies on their composition and bioactivity are limited. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the yields, phenolic composition, and bioactive properties (scavenging and reducing capacities, antiproliferative, and antifungal) of aqueous and hydroalcohol extracts of Rm and Mg fruits obtained by conventional agitation and ohmic heating (OH). The results showed that the Rm fruit extracts had the highest total phenolic content (TPC) values and the strongest scavenging and reducing capacities compared to those of Mg fruits, being characterized by the presence of gallic acid, while the composition of the Mg extracts varied with respect to the extraction conditions used. Regarding antifungal activity in vitro against two phytopathogenic fungi, Rhizopus stolonifer and Fusarium oxysporum, the hydroalcohol extracts obtained by conventional agitation of both plants (RmH-C and MgH-C) showed the best inhibitory effect, respectively. Interestingly, none of the extracts under study presented cytotoxicity against the noncancerous ARPE-19 cell line, while three extracts of Rm fruit exhibited a moderate antiproliferative activity against HeLa (cancerous) cell line. These findings reveal for the first time the potential of Rm and Mg fruits as a new source of bioactive compounds for future industrial applications.

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The effect of ohmic heating (OH) (50, 55, and 60 °C, 6 V/cm) on the inactivation kinetics (Weibull model) and morphological changes (scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry) of Salmonella spp. in infant formula (IF) was evaluated. In addition, thermal load indicators (hydroxymethylfurfural and whey protein nitrogen index, HMF, and WPNI) and bioactive compounds (DPPH, total phenolics, ACE, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities) were also studied. OH presented a more intense inactivation rate than conventional heating, resulting in a reduction of about 5 log CFU per mL at 60 °C in only 2.91 min, being also noted a greater cell membrane deformation, higher formation of bioactive compounds, and lower values for the thermal load parameters. Overall, OH contributed to retaining the nutritional value and improve food safety in IF processing.

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The use of ohmic heating (OH) processing technologies in beverages might provide a higher quality value to the final product; consumers tended to prefer more natural products with minimum preservative substances. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of OH over the presence of microorganisms in "aguamiel" as well as to study the effects on physicochemical analysis like total sugars, soluble solids, electric conductivity pH, and color. The results showed that the conductivity of "aguamiel" was 0.374 s/m, this as temperature increased, conductivity rose as well. During OH a bubbling was observed when reaching 70 °C due to the generation of electrochemical reactions during the OH process. OH had a significant effect in the reduction of E. coli, yeast, and lactobacillus compared to conventional pasteurization, reaching optimal conditions for its total inactivation. Regarding its physicochemical properties, both treatments, conventional pasteurization and OH, did not show negative changes in aguamiel, demonstrating that OH technology can be a feasible option as a pasteurization technique. In conclusion it is important to notice that negative changes were not found in quality, color and sugars of "aguamiel". Therefore, ohmic heating can be an option to replace traditional methods used for pasteurization.

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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the application of ohmic heating (OH) to milk (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 V cm-1, 72-75 °C/15 s) on the sensory profiling of dulce de leche (DL) evaluated using preferred attribute elicitation (PAE) and temporal Check-all-that-apply (TCATA) methodologies. In addition a consumer test was also performed. OH-DL samples presented increased scores for all the sensory attributes evaluated. Low or intermediate strength electric fields contributed to increase bitter taste and decrease DL aroma and sweet taste of the products, without impact on the overall liking. When high strength electric fields were applied, higher brightness, fluidity and DL flavor scores were observed, as well as, lower intensities in consistency and sandiness scores, resulting in increased acceptance by consumers. From TCATA data, it could be observed that the perception of all sensory attributes increased as well as increased the strength of the electric fields. Overall, the adoption of electric fields with higher strength in ohmic heating during DL processing is advised, since they improved the intensity and perception of desirable intrinsic DL sensory attributes as well as improved DL overall liking.

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The use of ohmic heating (OH, 4, 8, or 12 V/cm, 72-75 °C/15 s) for pasteurization of milk intended for the manufacture of Minas Frescal cheese was investigated. The cheeses were characterized for the gross composition, bioactive compounds (antioxidant, antihypertensive and antidiabetic activities), fatty acid profile, rheological parameters, volatiles profile, and sensory acceptance. OH decreased the elasticity, hardness, and firmness while improved the sensory acceptance of Minas Frescal cheese. In addition, higher antioxidant, antihypertensive and antidiabetic activities values as well as higher concentrations of short, medium and long-chain fatty acids were observed. Overall, OH can be considered a suitable technology to be used in milk for the Minas Frescal cheese processing.

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the consumption of Minas Frescal cheese (2 g for 15 d) produced with pasteurized milk or milk subjected to ohmic heating on the health variables (biochemical, hematological, and uric acid levels) of rats, as well as on the identity variables and proteolysis indices of cheese. Three groups of rats (n = 6 per group) were studied, as follows: control group, without cheese consumption (CON), rats fed Minas Frescal cheese produced with milk pasteurized by conventional technology (PC, 72 to 75°C for 15 s), and rats fed Minas Frescal cheese produced with milk subjected to ohmic heating (OHC, 8 V/cm, 72 to 75°C for 15 s). Ohmic heating did not alter the macronutrient levels (moisture, fat, protein) of the cheeses, but an increase in the proteolysis index was observed. For both cheeses, no significant differences were observed for feed intake (139 to 143 g/d), water consumption (196 to 206 mL/d), or final animal weight (236 to 252 g), and no changes were detected in hematological variables (counts of red blood cells, hemoglobin, leukocytes, and platelets) or levels of potassium, calcium, magnesium, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood glucose, and bilirubin (total, direct, and indirect) of rats. In addition, both cheeses led to a reduction of serum triglycerides and an increase in monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil levels. However, consumption of OHC resulted in decreased sodium, uric acid, and lymphocyte levels. The present results suggest that ohmic heating in the processing of Minas Frescal cheese has positive effects on the health of healthy rats.

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The effect of ohmic heating processing (10, 100, 1000 Hz - 25 V;45, 60, 80 V - 60 Hz until 65 °C-30 min) on physical (color, rheology, particle size diameter), thermal (differential scanning calorimetry, DSC), physicochemical (time domain nuclear magnetic resonance, TD-NMR) and microstructural (optical microscopy) properties of raspberry-flavored whey drink was investigated. The samples were submitted to an ohmic system and conventional pasteurization (65 °C-30 min). Both processing led to increases in the color parameters (C*, h* and ∆E*) in the first 30 min. For the treatments, 10 Hz-25 V and 1000 Hz-25 V, more viscous, and consequently increased D[4,3] and D[3,2] values were observed, and similar results were obtained for the DSC behavior. The microstructure confirmed aggregation of cell structure in those configurations (10 Hz and 1000 Hz-25 V). OH, parameters for both ohmic configurations have an impact in all the evaluated parameters for raspberry-flavored whey drink, which can be interesting for the dairy industry.

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Sodium caseinate (NaCAS) is widely used in the food industry to provide nutritional and functional benefits. This work deals with the effects of applying moderate electric fields (MEF) of different intensity - ranging from 2 V·cm-1 to 17 V·cm-1 - on the physical and functional properties of NaCAS solutions during Ohmic heating (OH) at 95 °C. Self-standing gels were produced regardless the heating technique applied (i.e. conventional or OH), and these gels were much more prone to physical rupture when compared with the ones produced from unheated NaCAS. Interestingly, OH treatment formed gels with lower values of strain at rupture and water holding capacity than unheated samples; this pattern was not observed for gels obtained through the conventional heating treatment (at 0 V·cm-1). These effects may be linked with disturbances of the distribution of random coil structures and enhanced solubility of NaCAS at its isoelectric point, reducing aggregation and impairing the development of a more compact protein network. Results show that OH presents potential to be used as volumetric heating tool for NaCAS solubilization and for the production of distinctive acidified systems.

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We studied the changes in the phytochemicals profile of two instant corn flours produced by different process: traditional nixtamalization process (TN) and by ohmic heating process (OH). The highest total phenolics content was found in the OH flours (OHF), which showed predominance of bound phenolics and free flavonoids compared with the TN flours (TNF). Ferulic acid measured by HPLC-DAD was the most abundant compound in its bound form in the OHF, but decreased by 57% in TNF. The insoluble fiber content was preserved by the OHF (17.49%) and the soluble fiber increased ∼65% compared with TNF. These data suggest that instant corn flours processed by OH preserves the phenolic profile and antioxidant profile similarly than flours processed by TN; furthermore, water waste was reduced significantly, and no effluents were produced in the ohmic heating process.

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Whey acerola-flavoured drink was subjected to Ohmic Heating (OH) under different operational conditions (45, 60, 80 V at 60 Hz and 10, 100, 1000 Hz with 25 V, 65 °C/30 min) and conventional pasteurization (65 °C/30 min). Bioactive compounds (total phenolics, DPPH, FRAP, ACE levels), fatty acid profile, volatile compounds (CG-MS), thermal behaviors (DSC) and water mobility (TD-NMR) were performed. Reduction of frequency (1000-10 Hz) resulted in a lower bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of the samples, except for the DPPH values. Concerning the thermal behaviors, fatty acids profile and volatile compounds, different findings were observed as a function of the parameters used (voltage and frequency). In respect of TD-NMR parameters, OH led to a slightly reduction of the relaxation time when compared to the conventional treatment, suggesting more viscous beverages. Overall, OH may be interesting option to whey acerola-flavoured drink processing.

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The use of Ohmic Heating (OH) for sweet whey processing was investigated in this study. Whey samples were subjected to both different OH parameters (2, 4, 5, 7 and 9 V·cm-1 at 60 Hz, up to 72-75 °C/15 s) and conventional processing (72-75 °C/15 s). Physicochemical analyses (pH), color measurements (L*, a*, b*), rheological properties (flow curves and particle size distribution), microstructure (optical microscopy), bioactive compounds (ACE and antioxidant capacity), microbiological characterization (mesophilic bacteria, total coliforms, and thermotolerant coliforms), water mobility (TD-magnetic resonance domain), and sensory evaluation (descriptive analysis) were carried out. The OH effects on sweet whey characteristics depended on the applied electric field intensity. Higher saturation, higher color variation (ΔE*), and higher luminosity (L*) were observed in low electric fields. For bioactive compounds, the increase of the electric field negatively affected the preservation of the antioxidant capacity and the ACE Inhibitory Activity of bioactive peptides. OH and conventional samples exhibited a pseudo-plastic behavior (n < 1). OH performed at 4 and 5 V·cm-1 was able to provide similar levels of sensory profile and higher volatile compounds levels. The results suggested the OH technology as an interesting alternative to whey processing.

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This study reports the formation of 2-furomethyl-amino acids (2-FM-AA) as indicators of Maillard reaction (MR) in black garlic elaboration, followed by the determination of furosine by ion-pair RP-HPLC-UV. The method was assessed for accuracy, repeatability and detection and quantitation limits indicating its adequacy. Traditional procedure of black garlic obtainment and the inclusion of convective drying (CDP) and ohmic heating (OHP) were assayed. For comparison purposes, three commercial black garlic samples were used. Together with furosine (2-FM-lysine), 2-furoylmethyl-γ-aminobutyric acid and 2-FM-arginine were detected. Levels of furosine were higher in CDP (46.6-110.1mg/100g protein) than in OHP (13.7-42.0mg/100g protein) samples, probably due to the most severe processing conditions used in the former. These results highlight the suitability of 2-FM-AA as chemical indicators to monitor the process of black garlic elaboration in order to obtain high quality products.

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Whey acerola-flavoured drink was treated using ohmic heating (OH) at 65°C for 30min to evaluate different frequencies (10, 100 and 1000Hz with 25V) and voltages (45, 60 and 80V at 60Hz) and by conventional heating (CH) with the same temperature profile (65°C/30min). Rheology parameters, color changes (h°, C∗, ΔE) microstructure (optical microscopy), and ascorbic acid (AA) degradation kinetics were performed. AA degradation rates ranged from 1.7 to 29.3% and from 2.8 to 24.8% for OH and CH, respectively. The beverages treated with both processes exhibited a pseudo-plastic behavior (n<1), higher saturation (C∗), lesser reddish color (h°), and higher color variations (ΔE∗). In microstructure analysis, OH (1000Hz-25V and 80V-60Hz) was able to rupture the cell structure. The best results were observed at low frequencies and voltage OH processes on whey acerola-flavoured drinks should be performed at low frequencies and voltages (≤100Hz and 45V), an alternating current (A/C). However, despite the use of inert electrodes, the existence of corrosion was not evaluated, being an important information to be investigated.

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Modern life has created a high demand for functional food, and in this context, emerging technologies such as vacuum impregnation and ohmic heating have been applied to generate functional foods. The aim of this research was to enrich the content of the semi-essential amino acid L-arginine in apple cubes using vacuum impregnation, conventional heating, and ohmic heating. Additionally, combined vacuum impregnation/conventional heating and vacuum impregnation/ohmic heating treatments were evaluated. The above treatments were applied at 30, 40 and 50 ℃ and combined with air-drying at 40 ℃ in order to obtain an apple snack rich in L-arginine. Both the impregnation kinetics of L-arginine and sample color were evaluated. The impregnated samples created using vacuum impregnation/ohmic heating at 50 ℃ presented a high content of L-arginine, an effect attributed primarily to electropermeabilization. Overall, vacuum impregnation/ohmic heating treatment at 50 ℃, followed by drying at 40 ℃, was the best process for obtaining an apple snack rich in L-arginine.

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The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of ohmic heating processing conditions on the color stability of a red pigment extract produced by Penicillium purpurogenum GH2 suspended in a buffer solution (pH 6) and in a beverage model system (pH 4). Color stability of pigmented extract was evaluated in the range of 60-90 ℃. The degradation pattern of pigments was well described by the first-order (fractional conversion) and Bigelow model. Degradation rate constants ranged between 0.009 and 0.088 min-1 in systems evaluated. Significant differences in the rate constant values of the ohmic heating-treated samples in comparison with conventional thermal treatment suggested a possible effect of the oscillating electric field generated during ohmic heating. The thermodynamic analysis also indicated differences in the color degradation mechanism during ohmic heating specifically when the pigment was suspended in the beverage model system. In general, red pigments produced by P. purpurogenum GH2 presented good thermal stability under the range of the evaluated experimental conditions, showing potential future applications in pasteurized food matrices using ohmic heating treatment.

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