Softening blueberry skin by treatment with weak solution of sodium hydroxide prior to freeze dehydration prevents tough, chewy skins upon rehydration

Larson, R. W.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

October 1971
	 Brief 71-10387 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Manned Spacecraft Center
	
-4:v 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield; Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D. f. 20546. 
Treatment of Blueberries Prior to Freeze Dehydration 
The problem: 
During experiments directed toward the develop-
ment of freeze dried rehydratable fruit bars, it was noted 
that freeze dried blueberries (and several other fruits) 
had tough, chewy skins upon rehydration. This de-
tracted substantially from the palatability of the re-
hydrated product. 
Solution: 
Soften the blueberry skin by treatment with a 
weak solution of sodium hydroxide prior to freeze de-
hydration. 
How it's done: 
The pre-treatment consists of submerging punc-
tured blueberries in a .25% sodium hydroxide solution at 
a temperature of 1500 F for a period of 45 seconds. 
Upon removal from the sodium hydroxide, the berries 
are drained and washed in cold tap water. Blueberries 
treated in the above manner exhibited the desired taste 
and texture.
Notes:
1. The procedure related above was performed 
only on frozen, unsweetened blueberries, not fresh blue-
berries.
2. No additional documentation is available. Spe-
cific questions, however, may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Manned Spacecraft Center, Code JM7 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: B71-10387 
Patent status: 
No patent action contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Robert W. Larson

Whirlpool Corporation 
under contract to 
Manned Spacecraft Center 
(MSC-13573) 
Category: 05 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United -States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710000385 2020-03-17T02:28:55+00:00Z


Treatment of blueberries prior to freeze dehydration

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