ARS | Publication request: CURRENT RESEARCH PROGRAMS AT THE USDA/ARS CITRUS AND SUBTROPICAL PRODUCTS LABORATORY

Submitted to: Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 1, 2006
Publication Date: June 1, 2006
Citation: Baldwin, E. 2006. Current research programs at the USDA/ARS Citrus and Subtropical Products Laboratory. HortScience. 40(3):504.

Technical Abstract: The USDA/ARS Citrus & Subtropical Products Laboratory is a food science and postharvest facility for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables of tropical and subtropical origin. The term “tropical” is extended to vegetables grown during the summer of temperate climates like tomato. There are also projects involving strawberry and blueberry since these are important crops for Florida. The majority of the work, however, is on citrus (70%). There are four projects at the facility including quality and by-product research. The two quality projects involve work on juice (mainly citrus juices) and fresh fruit flavor. The other quality project includes work on edible coatings or other surface treatments to reduce decay, water loss and to improve of the appearance of fresh or fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. The two by-product projects aim to develop products from citrus processing waste. One project mines citrus waste for edible fiber, nutraceuticals and compounds in grapefruit that enhance uptake of certain drugs. The other by-product project seeks to develop industrial products from the carbohydrates in citrus peel such as suspension aids and fuel ethanol.