Changes of carotenoid content in carrots after application of pulsed electric field treatments

Under certain conditions, pulsed electric fields (PEF) can promote the accumulation of phytochemicals through a stress-mediated response in plant tissues. Likewise, electropermeabilization cell membranes also improve extraction intracellular compounds. The objective this study was to evaluate main causes driving increase carotenoids content PEF-treated carrots and impact those treatments on their relevant quality attributes. Carrots were treated with PEF differing field strength (E) (0.8, 2 3.5 kV/cm) number pulses (5, 12 30). Individual content, colour, pH total soluble solids (TSS) determined after 0 h 24 treatment. Total individual carotenoid contents (phytoene β-carotene) increased just applying E ≥ kV/cm, whereas lutein concentration decreased, that α-carotene remained similar found untreated carrots. After TSS unaltered, but cortical browning index increased, which correlated content. Increase is likely related better extractability, differences compounds suggest may act by modulating biosynthesis or causing degradation.