The objective of the present work was to evaluate storage stability of melons processed by a previous osmotic dehydration at atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg) or partial vacuum (660 mmHg) followed by conventional drying. The stability was assessed monthly by means of physico-chemical, microbiological and sensorial methods, during 180 days of storage at room temperature. Both the processes resulted in good physico-chemical and microbiological stability of the products, which presented good acceptability during all the storage time.
Cucumis melo L.; processing; osmotic treatment; stability