44E-15 |
Using edible coatings as carriers of nutraceutical ingredients |
Y. MEI and Y. Zhao. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Rd. Extension U-17, Storrs, CT 06269 Edible coatings offer great advantages to extend shelf life and improve quality of foods. Enhanced nutritional properties of foodstuffs can also be achieved by incorporating nutraceuticals into edible coatings without processing of the product. This especially benefits foods like fruits and vegetables, where the lack of some nutrients may be compensated by incorporating nutraceuticals into edible coatings that are usually used as moisture and gas barrier in fruits and vegetables. Our objectives were to develop formulation of edible coatings for incorporating calcium and vitamin E and to demonstrate the feasibility of applying these coatings on baby carrots. Calcium caseinate - acetylated monoglyceride (3:1) emulsion coatings were used as carriers of calcium or vitamin E. 10, 20, or 30% of Gluconal Cal, a mixture of calcium lactate and gluconate, and 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4% a-tocopherol acetate were integrated into coating solutions, respectively. Fresh baby carrots were dipped in the coating solutions, dried, and stored at 10oC for 2 weeks. Weight loss, orange color, discoloration, bitterness, crispness and overall acceptability of coated and uncoated samples were measured or evaluated by a trained sensory panel. Procedures and methods for forming the calcium and vitamin E enriched edible coatings were developed. Developed edible coatings can effectively carry maximum of 30% Gluconal Cal and/or 0.4% vitamin E. Coated baby carrots had significant (p<0.05) improvement in overall acceptability, weight loss, desirable color and crispness during storage, whereas no significant (p<0.05) differences were noted on taste between coated and uncoated samples. The concepts of carrying nutraceuticals in edible coatings would meet the high market demands for functional foods. The results will direct the development of nutritionally enriched edible coatings with high functionality, and provide the basis for incorporating other nutraceutical ingredients in a variety of different foods.
Session 44E, Nutraceuticals & Functional Foods
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