Possibilities for application of laser ablation in food technologies

This work considers the possibility for using laser ablation in food technologies. It was found for the fruits and vegetables under study that laser ablation provided an efficient peeling of the materials while preserving the organoleptic properties, such as freshness, naturalness, and texture.After a laser treatment of citrus fruit (oranges and lemons), the fruits were peeled and pectin was extracted from the peels via a classical type of extraction in HCl water solution. The pectins obtained were assayed for yield, degree of esterification, polyuronic content, molecular weight, gel strength and other physico-chemical properties. For all samples it was found that laser pretreatment of the materials led to an increase in pectin yield, gel strength and purity, at an insignificant reduction of molecular weight and degree of esterification.Laser ablation of fruits and vegetables was used as an alternative to traditional methods for producing edible films. The cell particles, removed by means of laser ablation and containing plant waxes, cellulose fibers and pectic substances, were applied aseptically onto a hard surface and the obtained edible films showed a lasting antimicrobial effect.As a result of the treatment of fruits and vegetables with CO2 laser, a number of aroma substances were released and they could be captured and used.Industrial relevanceThe work described in this research is relevant to the laser ablation of peeled fruit and vegetables used in food technologies. Laser treatment for peeling fruit and vegetables can be used not only by food processing enterprises, by catering companies and by fast food establishments as a preliminary treatment of fruit and vegetables, but also by pectin producers. There is also a prospect for the application of laser ablation in extracting aroma substances from various materials, as well as in obtaining edible films.

Research Highlights
► Laser ablation can be used for peeling fruit and vegetables.
► Laser ablation can be used as an alternative method for obtaining edible films.
► Laser ablation can be used in obtaining aroma substances.
► Laser ablation can be used to intensify pectin extraction from fruit and vegetables.