Changes in the physicochemical properties and functional components of uncooked foods treated with electrolyzed water

In this study, changes in the physicochemical properties and functional components of uncooked foods, including carrots, cabbage, shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and white button (Agaricus bisporus) mushrooms, sea mustard, and laver treated with electrolyzed water were investigated. No changes were observed in the primary compositions of any of the materials that were hot air- or freeze-dried after being treated with electrolyzed water. The lightness (L), redness (a), and yellowness (b) values of the carrots, shiitake, and laver were not affected by drying, while changes did occur in the cabbage (L-, a-, and b-values), mushrooms (a-value), and sea mustard (b-value) specimens that were hot air- or freeze-dried following the treatments with electrolyzed water. The dietary fiber contents of all the materials increased when they were hot air-dried. Vitamin C content decreased when the samples were treated with alkalic electrolyzed water. No changes occurred in the lectin, beta-carotene, or total phenolic compound contents after the electrolyzed water treatments, suggesting that electrolyzed water could be used effectively as a pasteurization step for uncooked carrots, cabbage, shiitake and white button mushrooms, sea mustard, and laver.