2.3. Vacuum infusion
Vacuum infusion was carried out at 20 C in a chamber connected
to a vacuum pump. Based on results of preliminary tests
aiming at finding conditions for maximal mass gain in the fruits,
whole strawberries (70 g) were immersed in 250 ml of one of the
solutions for 14 min. This duration comprised a gradual increase of
the vacuum for 4.5 min, a holding time of 5 min at 86 kPa
(manometric) and a gradual release of the vacuum for 4.5 min.