Changes of Characteristics in Red Pepper by Various Freezing and Thawing Methods

Abstract

The development of an effective long-term storage protocol for harvested fresh pepper is urgently required to increase the market for pepper products. The protocol must minimize quality loss, so that the product may be used either as a spice or as a raw material for processed pepper products, both in the home and in food processing plants. We investigated the optimum size of pepper fruits, freezing temperatures, storage periods, and thawing methods, to establish an optimum storage protocol. This study was conducted not only to develop freezing and thawing methods for long term storage of harvested red pepper, but also to develop processed pepper products utilizing the stored pepper. We aimed to expand the pepper products market and to increase the incomes of pepper growers. Whole red pepper, sliced red pepper, and crushed red pepper were frozen and stored at . The soluble solid content and the vitamin C level showed maximal stability at , although total free sugars decreased on storage at all temperatures tested. Such Changes were more marked at than at the other(lower) temperature tested. The vitamin C content of whole red pepper was higher than that of sliced red pepper or crushed red pepper. Room-temperature thawing resulted in twice the drip loss seen on low temperature() thawing or microwave oven thawing. Brown discoloration was a serious problem with room temperature thawing. Total free sugars were higher in samples thawed at low temperature or in the microwave oven, compared to the level seen after room-temperature thawing. pepper samples thawed at low temperature scored higher in sensory tests than samples thawed at room temperature.