Pineapple Vinegar to Enhance Shelf Life of Carrot and Mango in Tanzania

Abstract

Fruits and vegetables are highly perishable, produced seasonally, and large quantities (about 50-60% of production) are wasted during high season due to poor handling and lack of cold storage in Tanzania. Processing excess pineapple into vinegar which can be used for preservation of other fruits and vegetables may be a helpful strategy for reducing losses. Vinegar was produced from pineapple juice supplemented with sugar to produce different degrees of Brix (13, 20 and 30) and was fermented with Saccharomyces cereviciae, Acetobacter pasteurianus, and Gluconobacter oxydans. Levels of acetic acid were measured in the vinegar produced. High production (5.8%) of acetic acid was observed with pineapple juice concentrated to 130 Brix with the combination of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, A. pasteurianus and G. oxydans.

The pineapple vinegar produced was used for preservation of carrot and mango. The pH of carrot pickle and mango chutney was monitored for three months. The pH of preserved carrot and mango was below 4 and no significant changes in pH were observed during three months storage at 29-320C. Chemical analysis of vitamin A and vitamin C showed high losses of Vitamin A in carrot and increased vitamin A in mango, but losses of about 74% and 85% of vitamin C were observed in carrot and mango after processing.

Consumer sensory testing of pineapple vinegar, carrot pickle and mango chutney showed no significance different on overall consumer acceptability of products during storage. Pineapple vinegar can be used to rescue mango and carrots that would otherwise be lost, producing highly acceptable food products in Tanzania.