Lye-Peeling of Green Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Abstract

A good lye-peeling operation may be obtained when whole green papayas are peeled under any of the following three combined treatments: 6 minutes in a 10-percent boiling lye solution, 4 minutes in a 15-percent boiling lye solution, and 3 minutes in a 20-percent boiling lye solution. The average weight lost as peel for each of the above treatments was 14.2, 11.6, and 11.5 percent, respectively. Changes in the titrable acidity and hardness of the pulp in lye-peeled papayas fell within the values obtained in hand-peeled papayas. In the lye peeling of whole green papayas, best results were obtained when the papayas were used at the rate of 1 pound for each gallon of lye solution used. It also was found that the average loss in weight of papayas as stems and seeds was 9 percent.