High-pressure processed pre-cut fruit: a healthy, ready-to-eat snack
Fruits are an important part of a healthy diet as they are a great source of bioactive compounds. However, some fruits are difficult to eat due to their size, shape, and perhaps the need to peel them, and many fruits are not available year-round. Ready-to-eat pre-cut fruits are a convenient and easy way to eat fruits, especially in this fast-paced modern world. However, this type of product is highly perishable and has a short shelf life. High-pressure processing (HPP) can produce pre-cut fruits that are free of pathogens, chemical preservatives, and extend their shelf life by 10 times.
Fruits are an important part of a healthy diet as they are a great source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and dietary fiber. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), low consumption of fruits and vegetables is responsible for approximately 1.7 million deaths per year and is one of the top ten risk factors for death worldwide. For this reason, WHO recommends that a healthy diet should contain at least 400 g/day of fruits and vegetables. Consuming fruits can reduce the risk of diseases related to oxidative stress and the risk of developing chronic diseases. These products contain not only bioactive compounds (such as carotenoids and polyphenols), but also vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The most popular forms of fruit consumption are in the form of juice and jam. However, it is important to note the increase in demand for ready-to-eat pre-cut fruits, as they are convenient and practical, especially for large fruits or those that need to be peeled (such as pineapples, mangoes or watermelons), which are difficult to consume conveniently on the go. However, due to the perishable nature of fresh-cut fruits, the shelf life of these products is very limited.