4. Conclusion
Centrifugation is an effective assisted technique to remove the concentrated
solution from the ice matrix in block freeze concentration of
fruit juices. This technique has high values of solids content, recovered
solute and percentage of concentrate after the third cryoconcentration
cycle for both juices, reaching an increase of approximately 2.5 times
the initial concentrations of solids, values close to 0.74 kg solute
per 1 kg initial solute, and reaching approximately 60% of the percentage
of concentrate. The performance of block freeze concentration
assisted by centrifugation applied to blueberry and pineapple juices
was attributed to ice matrix acting as a porous solid through which the concentrated solution percolates through drainage channels of the
ice improved by the centrifugal force.