Influence of storage temperature on the kinetics of the changes in anthocyanins, vitamin C, and antioxidant capacity in fresh-cut strawberries stored under high-oxygen atmospheres

Abstract

Changes in the main antioxidant properties of fresh-cut strawberries stored under high-oxygen atmospheres (80 kPa O2) were studied at selected temperatures (5 to 20 °C). The suitability of zero- and 1st-order kinetics as well as a model based on Weibull distribution function to describe changes in experimental data is discussed. A non-Arrhenius approach was used to determine the temperature dependence of the estimated rate constants. A Weibull kinetic model most accurately (R2adj≥ 0.800) estimated changes in anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of fresh-cut strawberries throughout the storage period, whereas a 1st-order model adequately fitted (R2adj≥ 0.982) the variation of vitamin C. The temperature dependency of the kinetic rate constants for each antioxidant property was successfully modeled through the non-Arrhenius approach (R2adj≥ 0.709). The Tc obtained for anthocyanins, vitamin C, and antioxidant capacity degradation were 290, 284, and 289 K, respectively, indicating the temperature at which a marked acceleration of the losses in the antioxidant potential of strawberry wedges occurs. These findings will help to describe the variation of the antioxidant potential of fresh-cut strawberries upon storage time and temperature.

This study was carried out with financial support from the Interministerial Commission for Science and Technology (CICYT) of the Ministerio de Educaci´on y Ciencia (Spain) through the Project ALI 2005-05768. I. Odriozola-Serrano thanks the Ag`encia de Gesti´o d’Ajuts Univ. i de Recerca of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Spain) and the European Social Fund for the predoctoral grant.