Physical properties of reconstituted carrot/alginate particles stable for aseptic processing

Textural and thermophysical properties of reconstituted carrot/alginate par ticles, subjected to thermal and mechanical stresses during aseptic process ing, were investigated. Four levels of sodium alginate (4, 6, 8 and 10%) an d calcium chloride (0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) and three levels of water addit ion (50, 150 and 300 mt) were used for two types of alginate thigh in gulur onic acid, HGA and low in guluronic acid, LGA). Hardness, water content, de nsity and thermal conductivity of reconstituted carrot/alginate particles w ere determined using an Instron, an oven drying technique, a pycnometer mea surement and a line heat source method, respectively. Moreover, Bacillus su btilis was inoculated in carrot/alginate particles. Reconstituted particles, unlike carrot cubes and other vegetables, were the rmally stable. The moisture content increased with a decrease in calcium ch loride concentration and an increase in water addition. There was no signif icant effect of formulation on density and thermal conductivity measurement s. Reconstituted carrot/alginate cubes were able to sustain successfully th ermal and mechanical stresses encountered in a pilot scale aseptic processi ng system.