Abstract:

The effect of high pressure homogenization on particle size distribution and stability of Physalis pubescens L.
juice was investigated. Based on juice stability coefficient and centrifugal sedimentation rate, the optimal homogenization
conditions were determined by combined use of single factor experiments and orthogonal array design as follows: pressure,
20 MPa; temperature, 45 ℃; and number of homogenizations, 2. Under these conditions, the stability coefficient of Physalis
pubescens L. juice was 0.798, and centrifugal sedimentation rate was 2.10%. The size distribution of all particles in the
intact juice was in the range of 0.260 1–4.96 μm, with an average of 4.561 μm, whereas the homogenized juice exhibited
two particle size ranges, 1.018–4.548 μm and 0.138 7–0.793 5 μm (accounting for 96.5% and 3.5% of total particles,
respectively), with an average of 1.963 μm. The particle morphology of the juice was observed by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), and the cell debris was obviously increased and was found dispersed in the meantime.

Key words: Physalis pubescens L., homogenization, Malvern nano-particle analyzer, scanning electron microscope (SEM)