The quality of commercial cider vinegars was compared according to their acidity levels (low, general, double strength and triple strength). The pH, reducing sugar content and brown color intensity decreased, while the total acidity increased with the increasing acidity levels, which may be resulted from difference in formulation and manufacturing procedures. The free sugars were mainly composed of fructose and glucose, which were the highest in low acidity vinegar, followed by double strength, general, and triple strength acidity vinegars. Acetic acids and malic acids were identified as the major organic acids. The citric acid concentration was the highest in triple strength vinegars. The contents of total phenolics and flavonoids were the highest in low acidity vinegars, which indicated their dependence on the apple juice content. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging abilities were the highest in low acidity vinegars, that showed high amounts of antioxidants.

The physiochemical properties of commercial fruit vinegars were compared according to fermentation methods. Type A vinegars were synthesized through acetic acid fermentation while Type B vinegars were produced using both alcohol and acetic acid fermentation serially. There were differences from using these fermentation methods; Type A vinegars had a lower pH and slightly higher total acidity than Type B vinegars. The content of total sugar and reducing sugar were relatively higher in Type B vinegars, which showed a higher content of the free sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, and maltose). The intensity of brown color and Hunter's a and b values were also high in Type B vinegars. In contrast, the content of organic acids was higher in Type A vinegars, which were mainly composed of acetic, tartaric, malic, and succinic acid. We were also able to estimate the fruit juice content of vinegars through its content of organic acids. Type B vinegars contained a higher total phenolics and flavonoids content than Type A vinegars, and showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity.

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Raisins (Thailand), dried mangos (Philippines), and dried figs (Iran) were gamma-irradiated (0～5 kGy), and their quality and detection characteristics were investigated. Microbiological characteristics were at safe levels when samples were irradiated at higher than 3 kGy. In color change after irradiation, dried mangoes were the most sensitive. Photostimulated luminescence (PSL) measurement was not applicable to dried fruits, showing negative or intermediate values for the irradiated samples. Thermoluminescence (TL) measurement was good for dried figs, exhibiting a glow curve in range of 150～200 o C, where the signal intensity was dependent on the irradiation dose. Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement was suitable for raisins and dried mangos, resulting in dose-dependent radiation-induced sugar radical signals.

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