Minimal processing of ‘Murcott’ tangor: types of cut, sanification and elimination of excess fluids

Abstract ‘Murcott’ is one of the tangerine varieties most produced in São Paulo, Brazil. It presents excellent sensory quality, intense flavour and is sweeter than the ‘Ponkan’ tangerine, and is therefore a product with potential for the minimally processed fruits market. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of types of cutting, sanitation methods and the elimination of excess fluids on the quality of minimally processed ‘Murcott’ tangor. In the first experiment, the fruits were cut into halves, strips and cubes. In the second experiment the effects of chlorine sanitization and the elimination of excess fluids were examined. The halves and strips showed higher ascorbic acid contents at the end of the storage period than did the cubes, but the soluble solids contents did not differ significantly between the cuts. The strips showed low titratable acidity levels and high soluble solids/titratable acidity ratios. The elimination of excess fluid did not affect the appearance of the minimally processed products, and sanitization with chlorine did not affect the taste. All the treatments showed low levels of microbial contamination under the conditions of the present study. The strips were the best type of cut. Under the conditions of this study, sanitation after cutting and the elimination of excess fluid were proven to be expendable in the minimum processing of ‘Murcott’ as strips.