Effect of Calcium and Osmotic Pretreatments on Mass Transfer and Texture Parameters during Processing of Chilacayote (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché)

Abstract

The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of calcium and osmotic pretreatments on mass transfer and texture parameters of chilacayote (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché). Samples were immersed in Ca(OH)2 solutions at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g/100 mL water; solution temperature of 20, 35, and 50 °C; and immersion times of 1.5, 3, and 4.5 h. Subsequently, pretreated samples with a Ca solution were osmotically dehydrated for 2 h with sucrose solutions at 30, 45, and 60 °Brix and temperatures of 30, 50, and 70 °C. Chilacayote tissue showed a positive response to interaction with Ca2+ ions, increasing the calcium content in the samples. The osmotic effect increased the water loss and the solute gain in the calcium impregnated samples. However, the calcium gained was leached, so the calcium retained decreased considerably. The hardness and adhesiveness increased significantly during calcium pretreatment, and it was maintained during osmosis by impregnated sucrose on the surface. Also, calcium increased the cohesiveness, but its values decreased after osmosis due to brittle behavior acquired. Samples acquired a more plastic than elastic behavior because the springiness decreased during both pretreatments. The gumminess and chewiness were affected by the decrease in cohesiveness and springiness, so less work is required to digest the osmosed samples. Calcium pretreatment (1 g/100 mL water, 35 °C, and 3 h) and osmosis (45 °Brix, 50 °C, and 2 h) were selected as appropriate process conditions for adequate calcium content, mass transfer, and texture parameters.