Abstract:

Effect of central temperature depending on freezing time and temperature on physicochemical parameters of quick frozen citrus petals was studied. Physicochemical parameters of quick frozen citrus petals were compared with those of fresh citrus petals and changes in physicochemical parameters of quick frozen citrus petals were measured during －18 ℃ storage. Besides, quick frozen citrus petal cans were compared with common citrus petal cans for the differences in physicochemical parameters and consumer preference. Considering feedstock quantity, citrus petal size and degree of maturity, freezing time and temperature should be controlled in the ranges of 10－20 min and －31－ －35 ℃, respectively and as a result, central temperature was －18 ℃. Freezing and storage time both had little effect on frozen citrus petal quality. There was no significant difference in consumer preference between quick frozen and common citrus petal cans.

Key words: quick freezing, process, quality, canned citrus petals