Abstract
The objective of this study was to develop anti-browning agents for commercial ready-to-eat pear products, which are preferred not only to maintain the flavor, color and texture of pears, but also to increase consumers' preference. The sliced 'Shin-go (Niitaka)' pears were immersed in 5% and 10% oxidized starch, 1% citric acid, and 5% and 10% oxidized starch with addition of 0.1% sucralose for 3 minutes, and then they were packaged in vacuum sealed bags at $1^{\circ}C$ for 9 days. In order to evaluate the quality of packaged sliced pears, the quality index was determined in terms of color, firmness, soluble solids, and sensory quality. With the passage of storage time, no specific variation in firmness and soluble solids was observed. However, the ${\Delta}E$ value of the sliced pears treated with 5% oxidized starch solution was significantly lower than that of the other pears. Also, the Hunter L and b values of the sliced pears treated with 5% oxidized starch solution remained nearly constant from the beginning of storage. This observation shows that 5% oxidized starch solution was effective in reducing surface browning of sliced pears. Moreover, sliced pears treated with oxidized starch solution with addition of 0.1% sucralose were given an overall liking score which was slightly higher than that given to the other pears because of the sweetness of sucralose. In conclusion, 5% oxidized starch solution with addition of 0.1% sucralose was effective in reducing browning of sliced pears and in improving the taste of sliced pears.
