Impact of Processing Factors on Quality of Frozen Vegetables and Fruits

R.G.M. van der Sman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this paper I review the production of frozen vegetables and fruits from a chain perspective. I argue that the final quality of the frozen product still can be improved via (a) optimization of the complete existing production chain towards quality, and/or (b) introduction of some promising novel processing technology. For this optimization, knowledge is required how all processing steps impact the final quality. Hence, first I review physicochemical and biochemical processes underlying the final quality, such as water holding capacity, ice crystal growth and mechanical damage. Subsequently, I review how each individual processing step impacts the final quality via these fundamental physicochemical and biochemical processes. In this review of processing steps, I also review the potential of novel processing technologies. The results of our literature review are summarized via a causal network, linking processing steps, fundamental physicochemical and biochemical processes, and their correlation with final product quality. I conclude that there is room for optimization of the current production chains via matching processing times with time scales of the fundamental physicochemical and biochemical processes. Regarding novel processing technology, it is concluded in general that they are difficult to implement in the context of existing production chains. I do see the potential for novel processing technology combined with process intensification, incorporating the blanching pretreatment—but which involves quite a change of the production chain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)399-420
JournalFood Engineering Reviews
Volume12
Issue number4
Early online date27 May 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020

Keywords

  • Causal network
  • Cellular tissue
  • Food quality
  • Freezing

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