Inter and Intra Varietal Variation in Textural Characteristics of Carrots-a Standard Food in Chewing Studies
Abstract
Carrots have been widely used as a model food in chewing studies yet inter and intra varietal variation have not been considered, treating them as a standard material whose rheological and breakdown characteristics are constant. Using a texture analyzer, we determined small strain compression (Young’s) moduli of carrot cores. We also undertook high speed, high strain compression tests to mimic the type of forces involved in chewing studies. Results suggest that for fresh carrots there is no significant difference between the textural characteristics of carrot varieties studied. Moreover, no difference exists in textural characteristics of sample cores obtained from different locations within the same carrot. As carrots are stored at temperatures between 10 and 30 °C the Young’s modulus declines exponentially with time, while the breaking stress gradually increases. Our data does suggest that the many researchers who have used carrots as consistent model food is justified in doing so as long as the produce is fresh.Keywords:Mastication; Accelerated storage; Youngs modulus; Fracture; Particle breakdown
Introduction
Studies on the chewing, size reduction and oral processing of foods have invariably focused on three solid food materials. These materials are: Optosil® a polymer based dental resin; peanuts and carrots [1-5]. Variation in the physical properties of Optosil® is carefully controlled through process control during manufacturing. The breakdown characteristics and oral processing of peanuts and the effect of roasting have been previously reviewed [6], however, natural variation in the textural characteristics of the carrots have not been reported.Materials and Methods
Sample preparation
Two varieties of carrot (Nairobi and Chantenay) were purchased from a local supermarket. All carrots were stored at 4 °C after purchase. In the case of the Nairobi carrots, 10mm cores were cut from the top (approximately 15mm from the top), middle and bottom. These cylindrical cores were trimmed with a razor to produce parallel ends. The shorter Chantenay carrots were only sampled from the top (approximately 15mm from the top). In addition to the 4 ⁰C stored carrots, an accelerated storage trial was undertaken, in which the carrots were stored at 10, 20 and 30 ⁰C for two weeks.Mechanical measurements
A TA.HDplus texture analyzer (Stable Micro Systems, Godalming, UK) with a 100kg load cell and 20mm diameter flat ended probe was used. A two-bite procedure was developed:1. The first, low strain bite, intended to measure the Young’s modulus. With the carrot cylinder standing on end, the probe was brought into contact with its top, the sample height recorded. The sample was then compressed to 95% of its original height at 0.01mms-1. The strain was then relaxed and,
2. The second, high strain bite was intended to mimic mastication. The carrot core was compressed to 30% its original length, at a speed of 40mms-1.
Experimental protocols
In addition to measurements of samples stored at 4 ⁰C, we undertook accelerated storage trials over a two-week period during which time the carrots were stored at 10, 20 and 30 ⁰C.For More Open Access Journals in Iris Publishers Please click on:
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