Optimisation of osmotic dehydration process of carrot cubes in mixtures of sucrose and sodium chloride solutions

In the optimisation of the osmotic dehydration process of the carrot cubes in mixtures of sucrose and sodium chloride by response surface methodology, using face-centred central composite design (CCF), it was shown that the independent process variables for osmotic dehydration process were osmotic solution concentrations (5-15% w/v sodium chloride in 50 degrees Brix sucrose syrup), temperature (35-55 degrees C) and process duration (120-240 min). Statistical analysis of results showed that the linear terms of all the process variables have a significant effect on all the responses. The optimum osmotic dehydration process conditions for maximum water loss, minimum solute gain, maximum retention of colour, and sensory score were: 50 degrees Brix + 15% w/v sodium chloride solution, 54.8 degrees C solution temperature and 120 min process duration. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.