The effects of color, texture and weight loss were studied in osmotically dehydrated
Bramley’s seedling apple variety. This variety is an apple cultivar with a unique blend of taste
and astringency that is excellent for use in pies and other baked goods. The apple slices were
subjected to a range of osmotic treatments in 60%(w/v) sucrose solution as follows: (i) samples
were soaked at 20°C for 4 hours and were tested hourly; (ii) samples were soaked at 20°C for 60
minutes and were tested every 15 minutes; (iii) samples were soaked for 30 minutes at 5, 10, 15
or 20°C and (iv) effects of sodium metabisulphite, ascorbic acid or citric acid mixture in the
soaking solution. Results show that the weight loss ranged from 5.5% to 7.1% and the soluble
solids rose from 11.3% to 13.8%. The researchers observed a change in color and OD treated apple slices during processing. The whiteness of apple slices decreased dramatically due to
oxidation by enzymes. They suggested that elimination of dissolved oxygen from the soak
solution might be beneficial for retaining the color of OD treated apples. This can be achieved by
using antioxidants such as ascorbic, citric acid or sulphur dioxide to prevent oxidative enzyme
reactions. Citric acid inclusion gave firmer apple slices (26).