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About J. Peter Clark
Expertise
How various processed foods are made; ways to improve manufacturing; how to make a new food product.

Experience
Employment history: Research Engineer, U.S.Agricultural Research Service, Associate Professor Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Director of Research, Continental Baking Company, President, Epstein Process Engineering, Inc., Vice Presdent Technology, Fluor Daniel, Inc., Consultant to the Process Industries

Organizations: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (Fellow) Institute of Food Technologists, American Association of Cereal Chemists, American Association of Candy Technologists, American Society of Agricultural Engineers,

Publications: Several Encyclopedias (Kirk and Othmer, Chemical Technology; Food Science, Food Technology and Nutrition; Wiley Encyclopedia of Food Science and Technology; Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems); five books, two book chapters; numerous journals.

Education: BSChE Notre Dame PhD University of California, Berkeley

Awards: AIChE Food, Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering Division Award 1998

Clients: Major food processing and pharamaceutical companies.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Industry > Food Engineering > Food Engineering/Manufacturing > browning lettuce in fresh-cut salad factory

Food Engineering/Manufacturing - browning lettuce in fresh-cut salad factory


Expert: J. Peter Clark - 7/9/2009

Question
Hello
I work in a fresh-cut salad factory.
Our fresh-cut Romaine lettuce turns brown very soon
It affect quality of our products
Please help me
Please send your answer in:  

Answer
As soon as lettuce, or any plant tissue, is cut, enzymes begin to discolor and cause spoilage. There are several remedies - keep temperatures low by using chilled water and washing away released juices; add acid, such as citric or ascorbic, to wash water to help inactivate enzymes; add chlorine to wash water to reduce bacteria which live on released juices; try to use the freshest produce possible and process it as quickly as possible; reduce field heat at harvest with vacuum cooling.

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