Chemistry of Fruits and Vegetables - Discovery & Invention

Understanding the chemistry of fruits and vegetables offers opportunities to extend shelf-life, improve quality and develop new applications.

Enzymes Associated with Sensory Quality of Frozen Vegetable Products

Various enzymes associated with the sensory quality of frozen-stored vegetables are studied to optimize blanching conditions and improve product sensory quality.

Lightly Processed Fruits and Vegetables

Research designed to extend the shelf life of cut fruits and vegetables is in progress. Modified atmospheres are used to minimize or avoid the use of additives.

Utilization of Honey

Honey can be used as a clarifying agent and an antioxidant in fruit juices and dried fruit products. Honey protein precipitates haze precursors in the juice. The clarified juice is stable and retains the sensory quality of fresh juice. Honey also inhibits enzymatic browning reactions during the production of juice, wine, and dehydrated fruits; as a result, sulfur dioxide addition is unnecessary.

UF Mead Production

Conventional mead production requires high temperature-long time heat treatment of honey to clarify and stabilize the product. This process is time consuming, and adversely effects mead sensory quality. The recently developed ultrafiltration process is simple, requires no heating and produces stable, high quality mead.

Contact:

Dr. Chang Y. Lee - (Tel: 315-787-2271) Email: Chang_Lee@Cornell.edu