197
Prevention of Formation of Furan
During food processing many strategies can be adopted to prevent its formation and
removal after formation. As a preventive measure thermal input reduction process is
used. In this approach decreasing the heat in industrial process can be effective to mitigate furan, as furan needs heat for its formation [104]. The reduction in thermal reduction can be obtained by applying low pressure and temperature for long time or by
setting the oven at high temperature initially and decrease it afterwards. Another way
to obtain low thermal reduction is through dielectric heating. Another preventive measure can be used in formulation process is the use of competing ingredient or inhibitor
to slow down the formation rate and precursor concentration [34, 105].
Removal of Furan After Formation
A postprocess method called vacuum technology is proposed to remove furan, by
proper application of temperature, time and pressure according to their chemical
and physical properties. A finished product undergoes to vacuum treatment where
undesired molecules are removed. But this vacuum treatment efficacy is dependent
on many variables such as food composition, water content and nature of molecules
[106]. To remove furan and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) hydration step is
needed before vacuum step. A study conducted on furan removal through vacuum
steps showed significant decrease in furfuryl, furfuryl acetate and 5-methylfurfural
from coffee at pressure 2.7 kPa and temperature 60 °C for 3 min [107].
Conclusion
Furan is found in environment abundantly in many products like processed food,
industrial product, pharmaceutical product and environment component. The
increasing amount of furan in environment has become a potential compound for
health concerns. Although direct evidences and information of its effects on human
are limited. But many studies particularly conducted on model animals determine it
toxicity. Furthermore, it was studied that furan is mostly eliminated from body after
metabolism and only a small amount has been remained. But amount of furan harmful for health is not yet been determined. Though it is said a small amount can be
injurious. Furan is also known to be absorbed by intestine and lungs and can easily
pass through membranes, therefore can affect different body parts. However, to
mitigate its effect is yet a challenge and many processes like pasteurization and
sterilization cannot be effective. A few compounds are tested to reverse furan effects
and few industrial processes is studied to compensate the effects, but these are not
implemented at large level yet.
Conflict of Interest All the authors have no conflict of interest.
12 Role of Furans as EDCs in Metabolic Disorders
Prevention of Formation of Furan
During food processing many strategies can be adopted to prevent its formation and
removal after formation. As a preventive measure thermal input reduction process is
used. In this approach decreasing the heat in industrial process can be effective to mitigate furan, as furan needs heat for its formation [104]. The reduction in thermal reduction can be obtained by applying low pressure and temperature for long time or by
setting the oven at high temperature initially and decrease it afterwards. Another way
to obtain low thermal reduction is through dielectric heating. Another preventive measure can be used in formulation process is the use of competing ingredient or inhibitor
to slow down the formation rate and precursor concentration [34, 105].
Removal of Furan After Formation
A postprocess method called vacuum technology is proposed to remove furan, by
proper application of temperature, time and pressure according to their chemical
and physical properties. A finished product undergoes to vacuum treatment where
undesired molecules are removed. But this vacuum treatment efficacy is dependent
on many variables such as food composition, water content and nature of molecules
[106]. To remove furan and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) hydration step is
needed before vacuum step. A study conducted on furan removal through vacuum
steps showed significant decrease in furfuryl, furfuryl acetate and 5-methylfurfural
from coffee at pressure 2.7 kPa and temperature 60 °C for 3 min [107].
Conclusion
Furan is found in environment abundantly in many products like processed food,
industrial product, pharmaceutical product and environment component. The
increasing amount of furan in environment has become a potential compound for
health concerns. Although direct evidences and information of its effects on human
are limited. But many studies particularly conducted on model animals determine it
toxicity. Furthermore, it was studied that furan is mostly eliminated from body after
metabolism and only a small amount has been remained. But amount of furan harmful for health is not yet been determined. Though it is said a small amount can be
injurious. Furan is also known to be absorbed by intestine and lungs and can easily
pass through membranes, therefore can affect different body parts. However, to
mitigate its effect is yet a challenge and many processes like pasteurization and
sterilization cannot be effective. A few compounds are tested to reverse furan effects
and few industrial processes is studied to compensate the effects, but these are not
implemented at large level yet.
Conflict of Interest All the authors have no conflict of interest.
12 Role of Furans as EDCs in Metabolic Disorders