The objective of this paper was assessments the effect of pre-treatment (pt) in osmo-convective dehydration: Chemical pretreatment at 20°C for 5min with 0.1% solution of citric acid, sodium bisulfite and calcium carbonate (pt-ABC) and bleaching at 80°C for 5min (pt-B), as well the combination pt-ABC followed by pt-B (sample:solution = 1:10 w/w). The pt-ABC provoked mass increase (13% on average), while pt-B caused loss (-34% on average). Osmotic dehydration at 20°C for 60 min with 10% NaCl reduced mass of slices not pretreated at 43%. This level of mass reduction was not achieved for the pt-ABC, but it was improved for 49% to slices subjected to pt-B. Pretreatments reduced drying time (70°C and air circulation 18m³ h-1) from 150min to 60min to achieve the desired a w. Water activity of dried product was equal to or less than the commercial product. Slices subjected to pt-ABC or from control group had good rehydration capacity. Slices subjected to combined pt and dried showed lighter color and were less wrinkled. pt-ABC allowed very similar results. The pt-ABC must be used to obtain slices of dry champignon with visual aspect and rehydration capacity suitable for the development of new products for direct consumption or require rehydration.
Agaricus bisporus; dehydration; chemical pretreatment; blanching
