SOLUTE INFUSION EFFECTS ON TEXTURE OF MINIMALLY PROCESSED KIWIFRUIT

Samples of kiwifruit infused with glucose, glycerol or sucrose solutio ns at atmospheric pressure to a(w)=0.97 showed smaller failure forces, under compression, than fresh fruit. Calcium lactate in the solution increased failure forces 30-60% depending on the humectant used. Gluco se infusion under vacuum to the same a(w) produced failure forces >300 % greater than those observed after atmospheric infusion. Solute infus ion reduced greatly the elastic component of the rheological behavior. Microscopic observations showed atmospheric solute infusion caused co ntraction of cellular membranes, degradation of cell walls and interce ll contact decrease. Calcium helped maintain cell cohesion. Vacuum inf used tissues showed cell wall optical density similar to fresh cells.