Mathematical analysis of lye peeling of tomatoes

Abstract Time-temperature-concentration relations for lye peeling of tomatoes were investigated and a mathematical model was developed and tested. The time-temperature correlation was linear, while the time-concentration correlation was exponential. Two sets of treatments were used in the experiments: (a) treatment with sodium hydroxide alone; and (b) pretreatment with sorbic acid followed by immersion in sodium hydroxide. Treatment with 9% sodium hydroxide at 90°C for 60 s was sufficient to peel the tomatoes. The model developed predicted the results with a correlation coefficient of approximately 0·99.