HIGH-PRESSURE WASHING TO REMOVE DECAYED TISSUE AND IMPROVE QUALITY OFCLINGSTONE PEACH PUREE

Physical and chemical characteristics were evaluated on brown rot and phomopsis decayed tissue in peaches, to investigate its removal by was hing with high pressure water sprays and to evaluate quality of puree made after washing. Washing treatments were at 345 to 758 kPa for up t o 10, 1-s exposures. Results indicated brown rot tissue was darker, le ss yellow and had more soluble solids than the softer phomopsis decaye d tissue. Nearly 100% of phomopsis decayed and 70% of brown rot tissue were removed with high pressure water treatment. Removal improved the quality of peach puree, but medium/large lesions were more detrimenta l to quality than small lesions.