Working area, cutting boards, knives, containers and other utensils and surfaces in contact with the fruit during processing
were washed and sanitized with 200 L L−1 sodium hypochlorite solution at pH 7 to have a maximum sanitizing effect prior to processing. Pineapple crown leaves were removed and the fruit was washed twice in two 200 L L−1 sodium hypochlorite solutions for 5 min each, letting excess water drain for 3–5 min after each dip. Fruit were peeled and cut into 1 cm-thick slices using an electric slicing machine (Food Slicer-6128: Toastmaster Corp, Elgin, USA). Slices were then cored and cut into wedges (6–8 g, each) with sharp knifes. Fresh-cut pineapple pieces were immersed in 1% citric acid and 1% ascorbic acid solution for 2 min as antibrowning agents and to keep the surface pH low enough to reduce microbial growth; excess water was drained for 2 min. When alginate edible coating was used as a protective barrier, ascorbic and citric acid were incorporated directly into the calcium chloride solution to reduce excessive handling of fresh-cut produce. The treated pieces were packaged as detailed in Section 2.4 and stored at 5 ◦C.