Osmotic Dehydration of Apple Slices with Carboxy-Methyl Cellulose Coating

The effect of carboxy-methyl cellulose (CMC) coating on mass transfer process during osmotic dehydration of apple slices and its effect on salt absorption were investigated. The study was conducted using four concentrations of CMC (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 3%) and nine osmotic solutions comprising of glucose syrup (30, 40, and 50%) and salt (2, 4, and 6%). Sample contact time with the hypertonic solution was 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 360 min. Both coated and uncoated samples were evaluated in terms of water loss (WL), solids gain (SG), WL/SG ratio, and salt absorption. Optimal condition was obtained when the CMC concentration of 1% was used with hypertonic solution comprising of 50% glucose syrup and 2% salt.