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Research Project: NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO PROCESS VALUE-ADDED, HEALTHY FOODS FROM FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Location: Processed Foods Research

Title: Feasibility Study of Using Infrared Radiation Heating as a Sustainable Tomato Peeling Method

Authors
item Li, Xuan -
item Pan, Zhongli
item Bingol, Gokhan
item McHugh, Tara
item Atungulu, Griffiths -

Submitted to: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE)
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 21, 2009
Publication Date: June 21, 2009
Citation: Li, X., Pan, Z., Bingol, G., Mc Hugh, T.H., Atungulu, G. 2009. Feasibility Study of Using Infrared Radiation Heating as a Sustainable Tomato Peeling Method. Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE). ASABE Paper #096074. p. 1-14. St. Joseph. Mich.

Interpretive Summary: This is the first report using infrared heating for tomato peeling. The research approved that the infrared heating has promising potential as a sustainable alternative to the current tomato peeling methods.

Technical Abstract: The yye peeling technique is putting both environmental and economic pressure on California tomato processing industry due to its associated salinity issues and wastewater disposal problems. This study is aimed at developing alternative peeling methods with reduced or no caustic usage to produce high quality peeled tomatoes. The studied five peeling methods were lye peeling, Infrared (IR) peeling, lye-IR peeling, enzymatic peeling and enzyme-IR peeling. Peeling performance and peeled tomato quality of three tomato cultivars were determined. The peeling performance was evaluated based upon peelability, peeling easiness and peeling weight loss. The color and texture of peeled tomatoes were measured as quality indicators. The study showed that IR peeling resulted in a similar peeling easiness but yielded lower peeling loss and a firmer peeled product compared to the regular lye peeling method when IR peeling used the same or a slightly longer time than lye peeling. Pretreatment with a low concentration of lye or pectinase enzyme solution prior to IR treatment did not show any advantages over IR peeling alone. It is, therefore, concluded that IR-peeling has a good potential as an alternative to the current lye peeling method used in the tomato industry.

   

 
Project Team
McHugh, Tara
Pan, Zhongli - John
Milczarek, Rebecca
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)
 
 
Last Modified: 05/20/2013
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