The effect of fish gelatin and chitosan coatings on the physicochemical characteristics of fresh-cut apples (Malus pumila Mill.), stored at 5 °C and 22 °C, was investigated. Chitosan provided an effective control for microbial growth, maintained firmness during 4 days of storage at room temperature (22 °C), and 12 days at refrigerator (5 °C). The results indicated that chitosan coating caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the L* value of cube color of cut apples. Fish gelatin–chitosan coatings mitigated the L* value and decrease in hue angle of the cut apple samples, at cold storage. Experimental results showed that fish gelatin–chitosan and chitosan coatings, can be used to mitigate the formation of vitamin C, due to respiration, microbial growth, and weight loss at cold storage. Fish gelatin–chitosan coating might be a better combination for maintaining appearance and extending shelf-life of cut apples, compared to only chitosan coatings.

The effect of 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8% cold-water soluble tamarind seed gum on batter density, viscosity, and volume of gluten-free layer cakes made with rice flour was evaluated herein. It was observed that the addition of 0.4% tamarind seed gum gave better cake batter volume and was similar to cakes made with wheat flour. Texture profile analysis, color, proximate composition, water activity, total phenolics content, shelf life, and a sensory evaluation of a gluten-free cake with 0.4% tamarind seed gum were compared to a cake made with wheat flour and rice flour. Gluten-free cakes made with 0.4% tamarind seed gum had higher dietary fiber, sensory scores (appearance, texture, and overall acceptability), and longer shelf life than that of the control. Incorporation of 0.4% tamarind seed gum is recommended for gluten-free baked products as it results in more desirable sensory scores and a longer shelf life.

This study aims to compare traditional, vacuum, and electrostatic frying methods on the mitigation of acrylamide formation, and oil content with and without potassium aluminum sulfate in youtiao. The results obtained showed that the addition of potassium aluminum sulfate decreased pH and 79.88% acrylamide content in youtiao with traditional frying. Electrostatic frying and vacuum frying methods do not reduce acrylamide content and oil content of youtiao when compared to the traditional deep-frying method in this research. The present study indicated that the pH of youtiao with vacuum frying method increased from 5.87 to 6.49 without potassium aluminum sulfate addition. Youtiao with potassium aluminum sulfate fried by traditional deep-frying had higher flavor and appearance score and lower oil content than the electrostatic frying method. The results of this research could be a consideration for alternative slow acting aluminum acidulants, reducing oil adsorbing frying methods in future work.

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of dark brown sugar on acrylamide and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) levels in brown sugar cookies. Dark brown sugar was used as a raw material instead of sucrose, and chitosan, chitooligosaccharides, or calcium carbonate were added to investigate their effect on acrylamide and HMF mitigation. The results demonstrated that the higher the content of acrylamide in the dark brown sugar, the higher the amount of acrylamide produced in baked brown sugar cookies. The addition of dark brown sugar significantly increased the diameter and decreased the thickness of cookies, which induced more acrylamide formation. Therefore, the sucrose control cookies were harder and thicker than dark brown sugar cookies. The addition of 1% chitosan, chitooligosaccharide, or calcium carbonate did not reduce the acrylamide formation of the brown sugar cookies. The content of acrylamide and HMF in the sucrose control group was lower than that in dark brown sugar groups, and chitooligosaccharide increased the level of HMF. This is due to the fact that the content of reducing sugar in dark brown sugar is higher than that in sucrose, and dark brown sugar contains acrylamide. There was no difference in the concentration of reducing sugar between test and control cookies (p > 0.05). The L values of brown sugar were lower than those of sucrose cookies, especially for chitooligosaccharide addition (p < 0.05). The addition of chitooligosaccharide generated more Maillard reaction products and caramelization. The reducing power of dark brown sugar cookies was higher than that of sucrose control cookies. The baking industry should choose sucrose or dark brown sugar containing a low acrylamide content as an ingredient to prevent the final products from containing high levels of acrylamide.