Work

Comparative analysis of cellular structures in fresh and dehydrated tropical fruits using confocal microscopy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study quantitatively investigated dehydration-induced microstructural and biochemical transformations in Hass avocado, sugar mango, papaya, and Honey Gold pineapple using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The methodology involved comparing fluorescence intensity in fresh and dehydrated tissues and validating these measurements through proximate composition and statistical analysis, including a three-way ANOVA (fruit species × temperature × air velocity). Results showed increased fluorescence in avocado (31%), mango (28%), and pineapple (35%), with strong correlations to protein enrichment (R ² > 0.92), while papaya exhibited a 22% decrease despite higher protein content, suggesting conformational rearrangements that reduced fluorophore accessibility. The ANOVA confirmed that fruit species significantly affected fluorescence intensity and protein content ( p < 0.0001), temperature had a moderate effect ( p = 0.0112), and air velocity showed no significant influence ( p = 0.13). Overall, CLSM proved to be a reliable tool for linking dehydration severity with molecular and nutritional transformations, offering a robust framework for optimizing drying parameters and enhancing the quality preservation of tropical fruits.

Source: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1737052

Authors: A. Espeleta-Maya, J. Martínez-Trinidad, L. Moreno-Pacheco, R. A. García-León

Institutions: University of Magdalena, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Francisco de Paula Santander University, Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander Seccional Ocaña

Language: English

Topic: Food Drying and Modeling

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,353