Browning reactions in food occur during processing and storage, affecting products like meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. These reactions impact the flavor, appearance, and nutritional value of food. While browning is desirable in certain products like coffee, tea, beer, and toasted bread, it is also sought in moderation for apple juice, potato chips, and French fries to enhance their appeal. To manage these reactions, understanding the mechanisms is crucial. Three primary browning mechanisms are identified, including ascorbic acid browning, which can occur through the enzyme ascorbic acid oxidase or direct oxidation by atmospheric oxygen.
![What is Maillard Reaction? - Guires Food Research Lab](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSpiYFf1e5uDCxIhjCSLQfYMl9KPfv8rH0WYxyvHmHk&s)
Lecture objectives: Students will be able to
- Understand the specific reactions of food components involved in browning, including non-enzymatic browning, pigment formation, and the roles of melanoidins, Maillard polymers, caramelization, and ascorbic acid oxidation.
- Explore the antioxidant activity of non-enzymatic browning products and strategies for inhibiting non-enzymatic browning in food processing and storage.