The Influence of Freezing and Thawing on the Yield and Energy Consumption of the Celeriac Juice Pressing Process

Abstract

The aim of this study is to indicate the influence of pretreatment, consisting of grinding vegetables and then freezing and thawing the raw material before pressing on the process efficiency and quality of obtained juice. The subject of the research was celeriac root (Apium graveolens L) of the Edward variety. Juice pressing was carried out in a laboratory basket press. The pressing yield and specific energy were values characterizing the pressing process, while pH and the extracted content in the juice were used to assess the juice quality. The experiment was performed according to three procedures. In each of them, the ground celeriac root (pulp or chips) was initially pretreated through freezing and thawing and then pressed twice. Among the examined methods of obtaining juice, the most beneficial method was pressing juice from the pulp, then freezing and thawing the pomace obtained in the first cycle, and finally, pressing the pomace. It is an energy-optimal method and guarantees a high pressing yield as well as obtaining juice with a higher soluble solid content than during the process of pressing chips.