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2.4: Effect of pH and Heat on Color and Other Attributes of Fruits and Vegetables; Osmosis; Enzymatic Browning

  • Page ID
    29362
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    Learning Objectives

    • To identify the major categories of pigments found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods.
    • To observe the effects of heat and pH of cooking medium on plant pigments.
    • To observe the effects of acid or basic cooking medium on the texture of vegetables.
    • To observe enzymatic browning.
    • To identify some methods of controlling enzymatic browning.

    Laboratory Problems

    • Identify the major categories of plant pigments.
    • Boil vegetables representing each of the pigment categories in water, in acidic solution, and in basic solution.
    • Prepare raw fruits in a variety of ways designed to control enzymatic browning.

    Terms

    • Vegetable Pigments: Chlorophyll, Carotenoids, Anthocyanin, & Anthoxanthin
    • Flavor Categories: Mild, Brassica, Allium
    • Texture: Cellulose, Pectin, & Hemicellulose
    • Enzymatic Browning
    • Osmosis

    Identify the pigments in each of the vegetables listed below:

    Pigment categories: carotenoids, chlorophyll, anthoxanthin, anthocyanin

    Vegetable Major Pigment Other Pigment Present
    Red Cabbage    
    Cauliflower    
    Carrot    
    Broccoli    

    Prepare assigned vegetable according to specific directions for added ingredients and for covering pan.

    Raw vegetable preparation:

    Cabbage (red or green): Remove outer leaves and wash remaining head. It is not necessary to remove the entire core. Shred cabbage into bite-size pieces with a chefs’ knife.

    Cauliflower: Break small flowerets from the head. Wash.

    Carrots: Peel, wash and slice into ¼-inch slices. If the carrot is large, quarter lengthwise before slicing crosswise.

    Broccoli: Cut thin spears about 2 inches long. Wash.

    Onions: Remove outer skin by peeling or by blanching. Cut off root end. Cut onions into bite size pieces. Cook until the flavor is mild.

    Lid On and Lid Off Directions:

    1. Prepare ¼ cup assigned vegetable for each part.
    2. Boil 1 cup of distilled water for each vegetable. Add vegetable to boiling water; begin timing after water returns to boil.
    3. Boil until crisp-tender when tested with fork. Record cooking time.
    4. Reserve a small amount of cooking water for display in custard cup.
    5. Display vegetable in a custard cup with the sample of cooking water in separate custard cup.
    6. Record color and texture observations. Do not taste.

    Acid/Base Directions:

    1. Prepare ¼ cup assigned vegetable for each part.
    2. Boil 1 cup of tap water for each vegetable. Add vegetable to boiling water; begin timing after water returns to boil. Add 1 tsp. vinegar (acid) or ½ tsp. baking soda (base).
    3. Boil until crisp-tender when tested with fork. Record cooking time.
    4. Reserve a small amount of cooking water for display in custard cup.
    5. Display vegetable in a custard cup with the sample of cooking water in separate custard cup.
    6. Record color and texture observations. Do not taste.

    Evaluation

    Major Pigment Vegetable Lid on Lid off

    Acid

    Add 1 tsp vinegar to cooking water

    Base

    Add ½ tsp baking soda to cooking water

    Anthocyanin

    _________________

    _________ min _________ min _________ min _________ min
    Anthoxanthin

    _________________

    _________ min _________ min _________ min _________ min
    Carotenoid

    _________________

    _________ min _________ min _________ min _________ min
    Chlorophyll

    _________________

    _________ min _________ min _________ min _________ min

    Observe Osmosis 

    Learning Objectives

    • To observe the effect of osmosis on the characteristics of raw fruits and vegetables in storage and in preparation.

    Laboratory Problem

    • Store fresh raw vegetables in a variety of osmotic conditions.
    A figure showing osmosis
    Water will move from areas of high concentration (greater amount of free water) to areas of low concentration (areas where there is more water bound to solutes.)

    Observe the effect of salt on the appearance and texture of cucumbers:

    Cut a small cucumber into 1/8″ slices, divide into three bowls, and treat each sample as directed below. Observe after one hour.

    Method Appearance Texture
    Soak in 1 cup cold water only    
    Soak in salt/water solution (2 tbsp salt to 1 cup cold water)    
    Sprinkle with 2 tbsp salt only    

    Explanation:

    Demonstrate enzymatic browning and methods of control:

    1. With a stainless steel knife, slice an apple or banana onto separate dishes.
    2. Apply assigned treatment.
    3. Allow to stand uncovered for one hour.
    4. Record observations.
    Treatment Appearance Flavor
    None    
    Diluted lemon juice (1 part to 3 parts water)    
    Commercial anti-darkening agent    

    2.4: Effect of pH and Heat on Color and Other Attributes of Fruits and Vegetables; Osmosis; Enzymatic Browning is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.