RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOUR OF KIWI FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATES

The rheological behaviour of diluted kiwi concentrates (22.5–63.0 °Brix) over the temperature range 4 to 70C, was studied. The values below 55.7 °Brix fit the power law while above 55.7 °Brix fit the Herschel-Bulkley equation. Maximum and minimum consistency index values were 62225 and 16 mPa. s ⁿ . Concentrates showed a yield stress at 55.7 °Brix, from 5 to 11 Pa, and 63.0 °Brix, from 19 to 53 Pa. Yield stress was correlated with temperature by means of a linear equation. Arrhenius activation energies were in the range of 28.97 to 33.89 kJ/mol. The average value of the flow behaviour indexes varied from 0.85 (sample at 22.5 °Brix) to 0.59 (sample at 63.0 °Brix). Simple equations are proposed to describe the combined effect of temperature and soluble solids content on consistency index and rheological behaviour index.