ISHS Acta Horticulturae 490: I International Symposium on Banana in the Subtropics
ADAPTATION OF THE TRADITIONAL BANANA JUICE EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY TO A MECHANICAL PROCESS AND FACTORS INFLUENCING JUICE RELEASE |
| Authors: | W. Kyamuhangire, R. Pehrson, W. Kyamuhangire |
| Keywords: | Traditional technology, banana juice, Mbidde bananas, mechanical extraction |
| Abstract:
The traditional technology of banana juice extraction used in East Africa was studied in order to understand the underlying factors that lead to juice release. The juice extraction process is dependent on controlled ripening of the bananas by either the rack or the pit methods. Particular bananas referred to as Mbidde are used by the farmers for juice extraction because of their unique ability to release juice when processed by this method. The process of juice extraction involves pressing, folding and turning the pulp mash mixed with grass, over and over again until the juice starts to appear. The role of the added grass (or polythene for the mechanised extraction) is probably to modify the rheological properties of the pulp so that the applied forces, through mixing, can have maximum shear effect on the pulp. However, the changes that take place in the banana pulp mass leading to juice release may involve breaking and building of new bonds between the different pulp constituents. | |
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