Application of Statistical Experimental Design to Improve the Quality of Fresh-Cut Apple Cubes by Edible Coating with Alginate

The effect of alginate coating in combination with an anti-browning agent on increasing the post-cutting shelf life and improving the quality of minimally processed apple cubes was studied during storage at room temperature for 5 days. A simple coating technique involving the chemical cross-linkage of alginate by calcium was used. Statistical-based experimental designs were applied to improve the quality of the alginate-coated apple cubes (ACAC). Plackett-Burman design was first used to determine the main factors influencing the preservation of the original weight, color, and texture of ACAC. Among these variables, alginate concentration ($X_1$), dipping time ($X_2$), and dipping temperature ($X_3$) significantly influenced the ACAC weight and color (confidence levels above 90%). Subsequently, the effects of the 3 main factors were further investigated by a central composite design. The polynomial models developed by response surface methodology were adequate to describe the relationships between the studied factors and the responses. Overall optimization conducted by superimposing the curves of the responses enabled the determination of an optimal range of the independent variables in which the five responses were simultaneously optimized. The point chosen as representative of this optimal area corresponded to $X_1=2.98%$, $X_2=0.85\;min$, and $X_3=55^{\circ}C$ and under these conditions the model predicted weight loss=0.522%, relative hardness=1.517, ${\Delta}E=1.423$, browning inhibition=93.403%, and ${\Delta}L=0.158$.