Tropicana Products, Inc.

Other

Mark A Pepper

Osvaldo A Chu

Yongsoo Chung

Marcelo Perez Alvarez

D Scott Lineback

Juices are processed to remove naturally occurring components which detract from the quality of the fruit juice. Such components are removed by contacting the juice with an adsorptive rein in order to provide an enhanced fruit juice supply. Preferred juices are citrus juices.

Juice processing incorporating resin treatment

A system and process for making a low-acid, single strength juice such as a not from concentrate (NFC) citrus juice are provided in which an initial single strength juice flow can be cooled to a temperature of not greater than about 45&#xb0; F. and maintained at that temperature or below throughout the process (except during pasteurization). From the initial juice flow, a first portion of the juice is diverted from a second portion of the juice. Suspended solids are separated out from the first portion to provide a solids-reduced juice. The solids-reduced juice is subjected to ion-exchange deacidification. Preferably, a portion of the initial single strength juice flow is added to the deacidified juice immediately after deacidification in order to immediately lower the pH of the deacidified juice to a value that discourages microbial activity.

Juice deacidification

A process for deacidifying single strength juice, including not from concentrate (NFC) juice, uses an ion-exchange column. The process includes flowing water into the resin column and draining a fraction of the water from the column to create a head space in the column above the resin beads. Single strength juice is then introduced into the head space and into the resin column. Water is drained from the column until an SOI criterium is met. Single strength juice continues to be introduced into the resin column and treated liquid is directed to the production of deacidified single strength juice, typically until such time as the acidity of the treated liquid exceeds a pre-determined value. Treated single strength juice is removed from the resin column to create a head space in the column. Water then is introduced into the head space and liquid passes through the exit port.

Single strength juice deacidification incorporating juice dome

Citrus pulp products are provided which incorporate components from pulp material separated from a citrus juice source. Naringin, limonin or other bitterant levels are reduced substantially in the pulp components. In particular applications, the debittered citrus pulp is a grapefruit-originating bland clouding agent, a citrus pulp wash bland clouding agent, or a citrus peel juice bland clouding agent.

Growing community of inventors

Bradenton, FL, United States of America

Mark A Pepper