Effect of Combining Mechanically Harvested Green and Ripe Puree and Sliced Fruit, Processing Methodology and Frozen Storage on Quality of Strawberries

Abstract

Small green and ripe mechanically harvested strawberries were processed into puree and combined with 60 and 80% sliced ripe fruit to determine the effects of holding after harvest, percent green fruit in puree, processing procedure and storage on quality of frozen sliced strawberries. Green and ripe fruit puree added to the sliced strawberries resulted in higher viscosity and lower ascorbic acid, total anthocyanins and red color as compared to packs with 100% sliced ripe fruit. The mixtures of sliced ripe fruit and up to 40% puree were rated acceptable by a sensory panel. Heating the puree may be beneficial to color during long-term storage. Holding of fresh strawberries for 24 hr at 24'C after cleaning decreased the ascorbic acid, viscosity of syrup and color of the frozen pack. Storage of the frozen product decreased ascorbic acid and color.