Processamento de suco de laranja concentrado e congelado por tecnologia de homogeneização a alta pressão

Author(s)

Thiago Soares Leite

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos
• Defense date: 2014-02-27

Examining board members

Marcelo Cristianini; Alfredo de Almeida Vitali; Flavio Luis Schmidt

• Advisor: Pedro Esteves Duarte Augusto; Marcelo Cristianini

Abstract

Brazil is the world's largest orange producer, most of the production being intended for the manufacture of frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ). Due to the large export volume and high consistency (apparent viscosity) of FCOJ, knowledge of its rheological properties becomes necessary for a better design of the equipments and processes. In high-pressure homogenization (HAP), a non-thermal processing technology, the product is pressurized and forced through a small gap that dramatically increases its speed, followed by a sudden drop to atmospheric pressure, causing high shear stress and cavitation. These phenomena are able to change the structure of cells and biopolymers, impacting on the particle size and the way they interact, thus changing the rheological characteristics. In the present study this technology was used aiming at decreasing the consistency and other rheological properties. Even small reductions in viscosity can result in great energy savings in various unit operations, such as pumping, given the large volume of juice processed in Brazil. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of high pressure homogenization on the rheological steady-state behaviour (time independent and time dependent properties), Arhenius activation energy, dynamic rheological behaviour (viscoelasticity), particle size distribution, microstructure and colour of FCOJ, as well as the pulp sedimentation stability of the reconstituted product, the turbidity and colour were also evaluated. The influence of the number of HPH cycles, on rheological behaviour (steady-state) e on particle size distribution of FCOJ was also verified. HPH decreased the consistency of FCOJ as the pressure increased from 0 to 150MPa. At 150MPa the apparent viscosity was decreased to approximately half its original value. The thixotropy and viscoelasticity of the concentrated juice were also reduced during HPH, and the value of the Arhenius activation energy had its value increased, indicating that a minor change in temperature produces a significant change in consistency. The particle size was reduced, and the particle distribution changed, showing a higher ratio of small particles over larger ones. These changes could be observed from the microstructure. The FCOJ or diluted product showed no difference in colour, neither due to affect by the homogenization nor for the storage time. HPH slighty decreased the viscosity of the RTD-juice. None of the above mentioned parameters changed during the storage time. The pulp sedimentation behaviour was not affected by HPH. Multiple HPH cycles at lower pressures are an alternative to a single HPH at higher pressure (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/17381-4 - Processing of Concentrated Orange Juice by High Pressure Homogenization Technology
• Grantee: Thiago Soares Leite
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master