Freeze-drying characteristics of tropical fruits

The objective of this work was to experimentally determine physical properties such as apparent densities, real densities, and porosity of freeze-dried tropical fruits pulps such as pineapple, Barbados cherry, guava, papaya, and mango, and to carry out nutritional analysis of vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus in the freeze- dried and in natura pulps. The freeze- dried pulps presented low apparent density and elevated values of true density and porosity. Based on the nutritional analysis performed in the in natura and freeze- dried pulps the preservation of product quality was verified.