Abstract:
The drying conditions, the properties of crude polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from banana, the effects of inhibitors, and qualities of product during storage were studied. The type of banana called Kluai Nam Wa [Musa (ABB group) Kluai Nam Wa] was used as raw material. According to bananas ripeness stages (PCI 2-7), it showed that the increase in ripeness led to an increase in peels colour values (L* a* b*), moisture content, total soluble solid and reducing sugar while firmness significantly decreased (p<0.05). Acidity was found to increase during early stage of ripeness (PCI 2-5) and decrease in later stage (PCI 6-7). The optimum condition of drying for bananas at PCI 5, 6 and 7 ripeness stage was studied. The drying temperatures were varied (60, 65 and 70 ℃). Slices of banana were dried in a tray dryer until finished product had moisture content less than 21% and water activity (Aw) lower than 0.65. Colour values and texture measurement of the products were considered, along with sensory score using a 9-hedonic score. The optimum drying condition was found to be 60 ℃ for banana at PCI 7 ripeness stage. The PPO activity of banana at PCI 7 was 3,351 ± 269 units/mg protein. The pH-activity optimum was 6.5. This crude PPO retained > 80% activity after incubation at pH 4.0-9.0, 0 ℃ for 30 min. The temperature-activity optimum was 30 ℃ with 84.72% of its maximum activity retained at 60 ℃. The crude PPO was completely inactivated by heating at 80℃ for 10 min. The inhibitors ( 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% ascorbic acid (Asc), 0.5% Asc with 0.5% citric acid (CA) added, 0.5% Asc with pineapple juice, 0.5% Asc with 5% honey added and 0.1 % Sodium metabisulphite (S)) completely inhibited enzyme activity. Distilled water was used as the control. The effect of these inhibitors were also studied in dried bananas. Banana slices were soaked in the solutions, ratio of 1:2 (w/v), for 15 minutes prior to drying. The results showed that each solution had a significant difference (p<0.05) in browning control. The inhibitors could be classified into 2 groups according to their effectiveness. The first group consisted of 1.0 and 1.5% Asc, a mixture of 0.5% Asc and 0.5% CA, a mixture of 0.5% Asc and pineapple juice, and 0.1% S. Whereas 0.5% Asc and a mixture of 0.5% Asc and 5% honey were classified to the second group. The first group of inhibitors was more efficient in browning control than the latter. Dried bananas soaked in the first groups solutions significantly (p<0.05) gave a higher L* value compared to the ones soaked เท the second groups. Moreover, qualities changes during storage were carried out. The results based on evaluation of colour values, texture and sensory score showed that the solutions of 0.5% Asc, 0.5% Asc and 0.5% CA, 0.5% Asc and pineapple juice, and 0.5% Asc and 5% honey were selected to be further examined in the storage test. Dried bananas were stored at 30℃ for 12 weeks. The results showed that the longer the storage time, the higher L* and b* values of dried banana decreasing. Effect of packaging conditions (atmospheric pack, vacuum pack) were studies. These was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the change of L*, a*, b* values of both conditions. The results from sensory evaluation showed that the preference in the overall acceptance ranged from like slightly to like moderately throughout the period of storage in every treatment. During storage, microbiological assay (total plate count, yeast and mold) showed that neither yeast nor mould was found while the total plate count technique showed positive results (<10² colonies/g)