The increasing trend towards a healthier lifestyle has prompted a renewed interest in fruit consumption, either fresh or dried. The objectives of the present work were to assess the nutritional quality and conduct consumer sensory evaluation testing of osmo-convective dried Fuyu persimmons. Persimmon cylinders of 15 mm diameter and 40 mm length were partially dehydrated by impregnation soaking, at 40 ºC, in a 0.47 g.mL-1 sucrose solution, with a fruit to syrup ratio of 1:10. Samples were dehydrated in a shaker under a constant agitation level, 60 min-1 for 2 hours. The water content of the product was further reduced to 17% w.b. in a tray drier at 60 ºC and air velocity of 1.25 m/s. The following parameters were evaluated: moisture content, soluble solids, proteins, lipids, dietary fiber, ascorbic acid, pH, carbohydrates and minerals. The results showed that the combination of osmotic dehydration and convective drying maintained the nutritional quality of the fruit when compared to the fresh product. It was verified that osmo-convective dried persimmon cylinders had good consumer acceptance. Texture was the predominant sensory parameter, whereas appearance was the least important characteristic.
Diospyros kaki L.; soaking-impregnation; fruit pre-treatment; nutritional value
