The University of British Columbia

Pacific Rim Marketing Limited

Natureseal, Inc.

Creston Valley Foods Ltd.

William Duncan Powrie

Chiu H Wu

Perry David Lidster

Juhani I Oikarinen

Miriam O'Donovan

Cheong Kit Leung

Patrick M Chung

Michel Facon

Chiu R Hui Wu

Brenton J Skura

Bo Matstoms

Hannu K Tykkaelae

Marvin Tung

This invention is a novel composition for preserving fresh cut apples comprising a mixture of ascorbic acid, and one or more of calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, magnesium chloride, calcium hydroxide, and optionally, citric acid or sodium citrate. This invention also relates to a method of preserving fresh cut apples by treating the cut apples with the novel composition dissolved in water and packaging the treated fresh cut apples in a modified atmosphere package.

Compositions and methods for preserving cut apples

This invention pertains to the process and formulation for the production of a multipurpose base consisting of mechanically-fractured apple cells and intact single apple cells and optionally gum stabilizers. The multipurpose base possesses desirable functional properties of smoothness, creaminess, viscosity enhancement, changeability and particulate carrier as well as nutraceutical and nutritional values. The multipurpose base is to be used as an ingredient for the preparation of smoothies, fruit salsa, fruit toppings, fruit desserts, soups and salad dressings. The sequencial process operations involve the mechanical impaction and screening of thermally-treated apple pieces to form a cellular aggregated mince, the comminution of the mince to produce a mash of intact single cells, homogenization of the mash to form a slurry consisting of released protoplasmic microparticles, size-specific cell-wall fragments and solubilized pectin, and finally the intermixing of the slurry dispersion and apple mash to create a multipurpose base with or without added gum stabilizers.

Process and formulation for producing a multipurpose, multi-functional apple base

The invention pertains to the formulation and process for producing a universal fruit base, which is an apple mash-polysaccharide mixture to which fruit puree(s) and optionally concentrated fruit juice(s) are to be added to form beverage concentrates. The beverage concentrates are to be diluted with water and/or fruit juice(s) to create supreme, distinctive, refreshing, healthy, creamy, smooth, thick, non-gummy and non-settling fruit beverages (smoothies). The resulting beverages possess hydrated cellular particulates, which are stabilized by modified starch and xanthan gum and thus sedimentation of particulates does not occur during the storage of the resulting beverages. Homogenization is not required for particulate stabilization. Pasteurization and sterilization of the resulting beverages can be carried out without the loss of textural and flavour quality attributes and without particulate destabilization and sedimentation. A wide variety of ingredients such as protein foods, coffee, tea, cocoa, nutrients, natural and artificial flavours, sweeteners and botanicals may be added for flavour, nutritional and health appeal.

Formulation and process for producing a universal fruit base for use in preparing non-settling, creamy, smooth, fruit beverages

This invention relates to a novel method of preserving fresh cut fruit for a prolonged period of time. More particularly, this invention is directed to a novel method of preparing and preserving fresh, vitaminized flavored or unflavored cut apple pieces to be stored in containers for extended periods of time of up to 6 weeks at refrigerated temperatures with the retention of acceptable naturally-occurring and adjunctive flavors, crisp texture and original whiteness or yellowness, being free of enzymatic browning. A method of preserving fresh apple pieces comprising: (a) sanitizing the surfaces of whole apples with a suitable sanitization agent; (b) coring and cutting the peeled or unpeeled apples into pieces; (c) immersing the apple pieces in an acid solution containing between about 5 to about 15% weight ascorbic acid; (d) removing excess solution from the surfaces of the apple pieces; (e) depositing a flavorant on the surfaces of the apple pieces in a container or placing previously-flavored apple pieces in a container; and (f) quick-chilling the apple pieces and storing the container of apple pieces at a temperature between about 0.degree. C. and about 10.degree. C.

Preparation and preservation of fresh, vitaminized, flavored and

Lined and coated corrugated paperboard package systems for modified

This invention relates to novel package systems for refrigerated modified atmosphere packaging of fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. More particularly, this invention relates to the design, construction, closure, sealing and use of gas-permeable corrugated paperboard package systems for prolonging the storage life of fresh fruits, vegetables and cut flowers under modified atmosphere in the headspaces of the closed package system. A corrugated gas permeable paperboard comprising: (a) a first layer of Kraft paper; (b) a layer of polymer having a gas permeability which permits gas to be transmitted through the polymeric film at prescribed levels; (c) a second layer of Kraft paper, said first and second layers of Kraft paper sandwiching the polymer between them; (d) a corrugated fluting; and (e) a third layer of Kraft paper affixed to the corrugated fluting.

Corrugated paperboard package systems with gas-permeable plastic

This invention pertains to a novel process for preserving the quality attributes and ascorbic acid content of fresh fruit juices and fruit juice blends. The process involves sanitizing the outer surface of a fruit, extracting the juice from the edible portion of the fruit, gasifying the juice with an oxygen-containing, carbon dioxide-containing gas mixture, filling a high gas-barrier container with the juice; hermetically sealing the container and rapidly cooling the juice in the container. Alternatively, the extracted juice may be filled into the high gas barrier container and then gasified prior to hermetically sealing the container.

Preservation of fresh fruit juices and fruit juice blends

This invention is directed to a novel method of preparing and preserving fresh ripe fruit pieces so that the fruit may be stored for long periods of time without appreciable loss of natural flavour, colour and texture. A method of preparing and preserving fresh fruit for storage comprised of: (a) separating edible parenchyma tissue from inedible tissue of the fruit; (b) cutting and/or segmenting the edible parenchyma tissue of the fruit into pieces; (c) packing the fruit pieces in a high gas-barrier or gas impermeable container; (d) flushing the container with an oxygen-containing gas mixture; (e) sealing the container from ambient outer atmosphere; (f) regrigerating the container with the fruit pieces or segments at a temperature between about -1.degree. C. to about 6.degree. C. to cold shock the fruit pieces in the container; and (g) storing the fruit pieces in the container at a refrigerated temperature between -1.degree. and 10.degree. C.

Preservation of cut and segmented fresh fruit pieces

This invention relates to the treatment of raw white potatoes previously stored at low temperatures (about 40.degree. to 45.degree. F for periods up to 10 months) to render them suitable for thermal sterilization at about 250.degree. F and for long-term storage in flexible plastic or plastic-aluminum foil laminated containers such as pouches without added liquid. The process comprises; (a) immersion of potatoes, either whole, sliced, diced or in any other convenient form, in an aqueous solution comprising citrate in combination with sulfur dioxide; followed by (b) immersion in an aqueous solution of an alkali metal pyrophosphate and optionally a reducing saccharide; followed by (c) immersion in an aqueous solution of an alkaline earth metal salt and optionally an alkali metal chloride. The so-treated potato product is then packaged in a flexible container and thermally sterilized. Use of this process not only is effective for retaining potato whiteness, but improves tissue elasticity and integrity, and prevents the development of an earthy off-odor.

Growing community of inventors

Vancouver, Canada

William Duncan Powrie