Effects of infrared radiation heating on peeling performance and quality attributes of clingstone peaches

Salinity and wastewater disposal problems associated with the conventional wet-lye method for peeling clingstone peaches result in considerable negative environment impacts. The efficacy of using infrared (IR) heating as an alternative method for peach peel removal was investigated to eliminate the use of water and chemicals. Peaches sorted into three size categories were double-sided heated under IR with three emitter gaps for a range of heating times from 90 s to 180 s. Wet-lye peeling was used as a control. Results showed that 180 s IR heating for medium sized peaches under an emitter gap of 90 mm yielded 84 mm²/100 mm² peelability and 90 g/100 g peeling yield, produced peeled products with comparable firmness and color to wet-lye peeled peaches. Surface temperature increased rapidly (> 00 °C) during IR heating whereas the flesh temperature at 16 mm beneath skin remained relatively low (<45 °C). Thermal expansion of cell walls and collapse of cellular layers adjacent to skins were found in IR heated peaches and differed from the micro-structural changes observed in lye heated samples, indicating their mechanistic difference. Promoting uniform and rapid surface heating is essential to further develop IR heating as a non-chemical method for peach peeling.