title: Quality comparison of continuous steam sterilization segmented-flow aseptic processing versus conventional canning of whole and sliced mushrooms.
abstract: This study was carried out to investigate segmented-flow aseptic processing of particle foods. A pilot-scale continuous steam sterilization unit capable of producing shelf stable aseptically processed whole and sliced mushrooms was developed. The system utilized pressurized steam as the heating medium to achieve high temperature-short time processing conditions with high and uniform heat transfer that will enable static temperature penetration studies for process development. Segmented-flow technology produced a narrower residence time distribution than pipe-flow aseptic processing; thus, whole and sliced mushrooms were processed only as long as needed to achieve the target F₀  = 7.0 min and were not overcooked. Continuous steam sterilization segmented-flow aseptic processing produced shelf stable aseptically processed mushrooms of superior quality to conventionally canned mushrooms. When compared to conventionally canned mushrooms, aseptically processed yield (weight basis) increased 6.1% (SD = 2.9%) and 6.6% (SD = 2.2%), whiteness (L) improved 3.1% (SD = 1.9%) and 4.7% (SD = 0.7%), color difference (ΔE) improved 6.0% (SD = 1.3%) and 8.5% (SD = 1.5%), and texture improved 3.9% (SD = 1.7%) and 4.6% (SD = 4.2%), for whole and sliced mushrooms, respectively. Segmented-flow aseptic processing eliminated a separate blanching step, eliminated the unnecessary packaging of water and promoted the use of bag-in-box and other versatile aseptic packaging methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Segmented-flow aseptic processing is capable of producing shelf stable aseptically processed particle foods of superior quality to a conventionally canned product. This unique continuous steam sterilization process eliminates the need for a separate blanching step, reduces or eliminates the need for a liquid carrier, and promotes the use of bag-in-box and other versatile aseptic packaging methods.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000364:Agaricus / Q000737:chemistry*; D000465:Algorithms; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D003116:Color; D005511:Food Handling; D018857:Food Packaging; D061353:Food Storage; D057141:Food, Preserved / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D048690:Fruiting Bodies, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D050296:Microbial Viability; D061352:Pasteurization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010414:Pennsylvania; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011312:Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013227:Steam / Q000009:adverse effects; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D013227:Steam