Tomato Products

Tomato products obtained from tomato juice or tomato passata having the following composition in percentage by weight: dry residue  5.5-20%, water 94.5-80%, 100% being the sum of the two components, wherein the amount of water insoluble and water soluble solids in the dry residue ranges in percentage by weight: Water insoluble solids from 18% to 70%, Water soluble solids from 82% to 30%, the sum of the two components being 100% of the dry residue.

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Description

This application is a Divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/524,014, filed on Feb. 8, 2005 and for which priority is claimed under 35 USC §120. application Ser. No. 10/524,014 is a national phase of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2003/0098639 filed on Aug. 5, 2003 under 35 USC §371 which claims priority from Italian Application No. M12002A0017801 filed on Aug. 8, 2002. The entire contents of each of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to novel tomato products having an improved saucing power in particular on pasta.

2. Description of the Related Prior Art

Tomato products, prepared from the tomato juice obtained by fruit trituration, seed and peel separation, are known in the prior art. The tomato juice is an aqueous suspension of insoluble solids in an aqueous solution wherein organic and inorganic substances are dissolved.

From the obtained juice other products such as tomato passatas and tomato concentrates can be obtained. Tomato passatas in general are obtained from juices by partial concentration. The tomato concentrates are obtained by stronger concentration processes. The methods generally used are the reverse osmosis, cryoconcentration and concentration by evaporation. By using the reverse osmosis it is not possible to operate at room temperature. Temperatures of about 70° C. are requested in order to have a satisfactory concentration yield; furthermore it is necessary to clean and regenerate the membranes by means of chemical detergents, which must then be removed. In fact said compounds are pollutant of the tomato products. See C. S. Leoni “I derivati industriali del pomodoro”, experimental Station for the food preserves industry in Parma, October 1993, pages 92-93. The cryoconcentration is inapplicable to the tomato juice due to the high percentage of solids in suspension, which would be separated together with ice. See page 93 of the previous quotation.

In practice the concentration by evaporation remains the method of choice to concentrate the tomato juice. See page 93 of the previous reference. Concentration by evaporation implies juice heating; the duration of heating and the maximum temperature reached in the juice during the concentration step leads to organoleptic and nutritional variations of the product. The organoleptic variations are a caramel taste and a typical cooking (“cotto”) aroma present in tomato concentrates and they are mainly due to the formation during juice concentration of hydrogen sulphide, dimethylsulphide, furfural, 3-methylmercaptopropanal, 2,4-heptadienal, acetaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde. See S. Porretta “Il controllo della qualitá dei derivati del pomodoro”, experimental Station for the food preserves industry in Parma (1991), page 51; S. J. Kazeniac et al., J. Food Sci. 35 519 (1970).

The nutritional variations are mainly due to the degradation of the carotenoids present in the tomato and in particular of lycopene. The tomato as such and its products have a high nutritional value, deriving from the vitaminic components, and mainly from the contained carotenoids. It has been demonstrated that the tomato product consumption is associated to a risk decrease of some cancer types (prostata, pancreas, stomach). See H. Gerster, J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 1997, 16, 109-126; S. K. Clinton Nutr. Rev. 1998 56 35-51. The previously described beneficial nutritional effects are to be ascribed to the carotenoids contained in the tomato and in particular to lycopene. Recently it has been shown that during the concentration by evaporation of the tomato juice there is a degradation of carotenoids, lycopene too. See R. Gary et al., J. Agric. Food Chem. 2001 49 3713-3717.

It is also known that it is not feasible to filter the tomato products, in particular tomato juices and tomato passatas, since the filter is quite immediately occluded.

Most of the commercial tomato products must be diluted before use. The commercial tomato concentrates, for example in Italy, are classified as follows:

semiconcentrate dry residue 12% by weight; concentrate (C) dry residue 18% by weight; double concentrate (DC) dry residue 28% by weight; triple concentrate (TC) dry residue 36% by weight;

Generally the concentrated products are diluted before and during the use. The saucing power of the triple concentrate (TC) as such, before dilution, is higher than that of the other commercial tomato products, concentrates included. By saucing power it is meant the product capability to stick to foods to which it is added, for instance pasta. However, as above mentioned, said concentrated products must be diluted before or during use because of their too strong and unpleasant taste. Consequently the advantage of the higher saucing power of said products is lost. Generally all the commercial tomato concentrates having a dry residue above 12% wt. show such taste problem and therefore must be diluted.

If a semiconcentrate at 12% dry residue is used, since it generally should not be diluted before use showing no problems of unpleasant taste, the saucing power is very low, even lower than the saucing power of TC as such. The tomato products known as tomato passatas are used as a ready base for quick sauce preparation. Generally in tomato passatas the dry residue, which can be determined as described afterwards, is lower than or equal to 10% by weight, generally comprised between 8%-10% by weight.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant has surprisingly and unexpectedly found tomato products which do not need either dilution or concentration before their use, for instance on foods, said tomato products can also be used as such as foods, and have an improved saucing power, improved organoleptic properties, i.e., devoid of any caramel taste, bitter taste, cooking (“cotto”) aroma, sour taste.

An object of the invention is a composition or a tomato product obtained from tomato juice or tomato passatas having the following composition in percentage by weight:

dry residue  5.5-20%, water 94.5-80%,

100% being the sum of the two components, wherein the amount of water insoluble solids and water soluble solids in the dry residue range in percentage by weight as it follows:
    • water insoluble solids from 18% to 70%,
    • water soluble solids from 82% to 30%.
      Preferably the ranges of water insoluble solids and water soluble solids in the dry residue in percentage by weight are as it follows:
    • water insoluble solids: 20%-50%,
    • water soluble solids 80%-50%.
      Still more preferably the ranges of water insoluble solids and water soluble solids in the dry residue range in percentage by weight are the following:
    • water insoluble solids: 30% to 50%,
    • water soluble solids 70%-50%.

The total dry residue, the water soluble solids and the water insoluble solids are determined as described in the Examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description hereinbelow and from the drawings that accompany this application. These drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

FIG. 1 shows rheological properties (shear stress/speed gradient (s−1)) of triple concentrate (TC), of product Rot (example 1) and of product Ro1 (example 2).

FIG. 2 shows rheological properties (shear stress/speed gradient (s−1)) of triple concentrate (TC) and of double concentrate (DC).

FIG. 3 shows rheological properties (shear stress/speed gradient (s−1)) of triple concentrate (TC) and of concentrate (C), and

FIG. 4 shows rheological properties (shear stress/speed gradient (s−1)) of triple concentrate (TC) and of pulped tomatoes.

FIGS. 1-4 are graphical illustrations of the data set forth in Tables 1-7.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The tomato products of the invention are obtainable by the process described below that, differently from the products of the prior art, includes a more thorough separation of the tomato serum from the water insoluble solids, that affords to obtain tomato products according to the invention, having a water insoluble solid content in the dry residue even up to 70%.

To the invention tomato products it is possible to add lyophilized or cryoconcentrated serum, or serum concentrated by osmosis membrane or by evaporation under vacuum, to further improve or varying the taste. It is thus possible to obtain, for example, tomato products having a lower content of water insoluble solids in the dry residue.

Therefore in the invention tomato products it is possible to adjust the ratio between the water insoluble solids and those water soluble. The Applicant has found that by varying the amount of water soluble solids in the total solids of the composition the taste properties of the product (more or less intense tomato taste), can be suitably dosed. The olfactory properties of the product (fresh tomato smell), since the water insoluble solids retain the volatile components, mainly depend from the amount of water insoluble solids in the total solids.

Furthermore the Applicant has found that the invention tomato products can unexpectedly incorporate, for example, by mechanical mixing, without showing any serum separation, animal and vegetable fats solid at room temperature, such for example butter or margarine, and/or fats liquid at room temperature as for example vegetable oils, for example olive oil, and/or cheese having soft- or fresh-grain or hard-grain and grated.

The starting tomato product used to prepare said mixed products should preferably have a water insoluble solid content and water soluble solid content in the dry residue in the following ranges as percentages by weight:

    • water insoluble solids from 30% to 70%,
    • water soluble solids from 70% to 30%;
      still more preferably:
    • water insoluble solids from 35% to 70%,
    • water soluble solids from 65% to 30%.

The amount of fats and/or oil which can be incorporated in the composition ranges from 10 to 25% by weight referred to the weight of the starting tomato product; soft-grain cheese can be instead incorporated in any desired amount, since the two components (soft-grain cheese and tomato product) are perfectly miscible in all weight ratios; the amounts of soft-grain cheese which can be incorporated are for example from 50% to 300% by weight referred to the weight of the starting tomato product.

When food fats that are solid at room temperature are used, it is preferable to heat preliminary said fats, before mixing with the tomato product of the invention, at least up to their softening point but preferably not above their melting point.

The amount of hard-grain and grated cheeses which can be incorporated ranges from 10 to 25%. Said compositions can be used as ready-to-use sauce for foods since they incorporate, as said above, oil, butter and/or cheeses. To said compositions other usual ingredients of food products, such for example essence aromas, preservatives, etc, can be added.

As said, the invention tomato products and the compositions obtained therefrom as above defined have an improved saucing power and improved organoleptic and nutritional properties in comparison with the products on the market.

The invention products, in particular those obtainable by mixing the invention tomato products with fats and/or oils and/or cheeses, can also be used as such as foods. For example said products can be spread on bread, as it is made for soft cheese.

Said saucing power is combined with improved organoleptic properties, i.e. without a caramel, or a bitter, or a sour taste. Said organoleptic properties are instead completely absent in the commercial products showing a good saucing power. See the comparative Examples on the commercial products TC, DC and C.

The Applicant has found that the amount of water insoluble solids which must be present in the tomato product to confer an improved saucing power must be at least 18% weight with respect to the dry residue of the tomato product, preferably from 20% to 50% weight.

As foods on which to use the tomato products of the invention, pasta, meat, fish, vegetables, etc., can be mentioned.

A test to determine the saucing power is described in the Examples.

The invention products show a high content of water insoluble solids. The Applicant has found that the amount of water insoluble solids in the commercial products is not higher than 15% in the dry residue. For example in the fresh pulp the amount of water insoluble solids is generally about 12.5% of the total tomato solids (dry residue). See in “Tomato paste, Purée, Juice & Powder” P. G. Goose, Food Trade Press Ltd 1964, page 69.

The tomato compositions of the invention, as said, have an improved saucing power. As it is known, the final step for preparing in home kitchens a sauce starting from fresh tomato or from a tomato product, comprises heating with fats or oils and other aromas until obtaining a sauce endowed with satisfactory saucing power. The tomato compositions of the invention show a further advantage, with respect to the known tomato sauces, that they do not need a prior heating step before use. In this way the detrimental effect of the temperature during the preparation of the tomato-based sauces is avoided. In fact in said heating step lycopene is solubilized by fats, and in this way this compound is easily degraded by the concomitant effect of light and oxygen in the hot conditions of cooking.

The process for obtaining the tomato compositions of the invention is described herein below. It has been found, unexpectedly and surprisingly, that by using filtration but maintaining under a slow stirring the tomato suspension to be filtered, it is possible to filter the starting tomato suspensions, since the tomato mass in such conditions detaches from the filter the sediments that constitute the impermeable layer depositing on the filter surface, and incorporates them. In fact, as said, it is known that it is not feasible the filtering of the tomato products, in particular tomato juices and tomato passatas, since the filter is quickly occluded by a highly impermeable layer. The filtration process according to the present invention proceeds instead rapidly. It is ended when substantially there is no more serum separation. A compact mass is formed by filtration that can be easily recovered, since it does not stick to the filter.

It is therefore a further object of the present invention a process for the separation of the liquid (tomato juice serum) from a tomato suspension by using a separation solid-liquid apparatus wherein the mass or suspension to be filtered is maintained under slow stirring, at an angular speed generally from 1 rpm to 20 rpm, preferably from 2 rpm to 10 rpm, preferably the stirrer being of a shape to convey the suspension toward the central axis of the apparatus, or there is not a stirrer and it is the apparatus that rotates. In the alternative, the apparatus used for separating the liquid from a tomato suspension is a sieve maintained under a motion such as for example under an oscillating motion, or preferably under a nutational motion, the oscillations per minute being generally from 1 to 20 oscillations/min, preferably from 2 to 10 oscillations/min.

The process of the invention is preferably carried out under sterile conditions; in the alternative the final tomato product can undergo a sterilization process.

In said case sterilization can be performed with conventional methods, preferably by operating under mild temperature conditions, preferably under high pressures, for example comprised between 5,000-7,000 Atm.

The invention process is carried out by operating at temperatures generally in the range 5° C.-25° C., preferably 10° C.-15° C., at atmospheric pressure, or using pressures slightly higher than that atmospheric, from 760 mm Hg (0.101 MPa) up to 900 mm Hg (0.120 MPa) or by applying pressures slightly lower than the atmospheric pressure, down to 450 mm Hg (0.06 MPa). As said above, if the process of the present invention is not operated under sterile conditions, the recovered tomato product at the end of the process is subjected to sterilization processes.

The process for obtaining the invention tomato products can be performed in a separation solid liquid apparatus constituted for instance of a vessel made for instance of food grade stainless steel, having walls with openings or slots formed for instance with woven wire cloth, or with screens such as for instance wire screens or welding screens, or instead said walls have holes such as for instance fine punched holes or drilled holes or slot milled holes or beam perforated holes (laser perforation or electron beam perforation), being the width of the openings of slots, or the diameter in the case of holes, not greater than 0.1 mm and preferably not lower than 0.02 mm. The slots length is not critical. For example said length can range from 30 cm to 2 meters, depending on the volume of the tomato juice to be treated. When the separation solid liquid apparatus has a bottom wall, this is preferably made of a plate without slots or holes.

Preferably the separator has a cylindrical section. The separator is furthermore equipped with a device for mechanical stirring. Stirring must be very slow, the angular speed is generally from 1 rpm to 20 rpm, preferably from 2 rpm to 10 rpm, the device being of a shape such that the solid is conveyed in the separator central zone (with reference to the longitudinal axis). It has been found that said stirring prevents the solid from adhering and accumulating on the separator walls, so that no impermeable layer formation occurs in the separator during the processing.

The distance between the separator walls and the stirrer blades is from 0.5 to 2 cm.

According to the present invention process the separator is charged with the tomato juice, obtained for example by tomato fruit trituration and seed and peel separation, or charged with tomato passatas, obtained for example as the tomato juice but operating at lower temperature during the centrifugation step. The tomato juices have been previously treated according to known processes, for example by “hot break”, “cold break” processes, or by applying high pressures, for example of the order of 5,000-7,000 Atm (5.06×102 MPa-7.09×102 MPa), to inactivate enzymes.

The tomato mass to be filtered can optionally be protected during the process by operating in an atmosphere of an inert gas, e.g. nitrogen. In this way it is avoided the contact of the tomato mass with oxygen in the presence of the light. This optional step is requested in case the temperature, for unforeseen events, during the process results higher than 25° C. By operating in this way no lycopene losses occur.

The process ends when in the separator there is a compact mass which does not separate any longer tomato juice serum.

By operating with the separation process according to the present invention carotenoids, lycopene comprised, remain in the mass which separated from the liquid part or tomato serum.

Unexpectedly and surprisingly with the invention process there is no clogging of the separator walls having openings or holes of the above said sizes since unexpectedly and surprisingly a compact mass is formed, as said above. Said result is unforeseen since one would expect the formation of a product layer adhering to the walls, substantially impermeable.

Said mass, formed during the invention process, is compact and does not adhere to the walls whereby it is easily recovered from the separator. The invention process has a very high productivity since there is no clogging on the walls with consequent process downtime for the separator cleaning.

The tomato juice serum percolated from the separator walls, containing a large part of the soluble solids of tomato juice, is generally recovered by lyophilization or cold concentration with known methods, for example cryoconcentration.

Another method to obtain the invention tomato products is to use a concave- or flat-shaped sieve, having holes diameter or slots width not greater than 0.1 mm, preferably not lower than 0.02 mm, wherein it is transferred the starting tomato juice, obtained as above. The juice into the sieve is kept under an oscillatory motion until a compact mass, as above said, is formed, which does not separate any longer the serum. The compact mass is easily recovered since it does not adhere to the sieve. The temperature conditions are those indicated above for the process using a separator; preferably atmospheric pressure is used. The numbers of oscillations/minutes are those herein above reported.

A further process used to obtain the invention tomato products consists in charging the tomato juice, treated as above, on a cylinder constituted by food grade stainless steel wherein the walls have openings or slots formed for instance with woven wire cloth, or with screens such as for instance wire screens or welding screens, or instead said walls have holes such as for instance fine punched holes or drilled holes or slot milled holes or beam perforated holes (laser perforation or electron beam perforation), being the width of the openings of slots, or the diameter in the case of holes, not greater than 0.1 mm and preferably not lower than 0.02 mm. Said cylinder has inside a stirrer in the form of an Archimedean screw revolving free in the fixed cylinder, or consists simply of a rotating tube wound helically about a cylindrical axis. Rotation of the moving part must be very slow, generally at an angular speed of 2-10 rpm. The process is preferably carried out under the temperature and pressure operating conditions above described for the process in which a separator is used.

Preferably the cylinder is in a horizontal position, and has a diameter which can for example range from cm and 1 meter, length from 2 meters to 20 meters. Preferably from 2 meters to 5 meters for apparatus working in a discontinuos way. Preferably about 20 meters for apparatuses working in a continuous way.

For discontinuous apparatuses the juice is let pass in the cylinder, with several recycling steps, until a compact mass is formed and there is no separation of tomato serum any longer.

When treating tomato suspensions obtained from partially ripened tomatoes, the slots width and the holes diameter of the separation liquid solid apparatus can reach also values not higher than 0.5 mm, preferably about 0.3 mm.

The apparatus for obtaining the tomato products of the present invention, comprising the filtering nets, can be of plastic material or of metal, steel included. Preferably the apparatus is made of food grade inox steel. When a plastic material is used, it can be cited propylene homopolymers or copolymers, ethylene homopolymers or copolymers, etc.

The serum is recovered as above indicated. As said, the separated serum contains a great part of the water soluble solids contained in the tomato juice. The Applicant has found that the organoleptic properties (taste) of the invention tomato products can be modified by adding water soluble solids from lyophilized or concentrated serum. Generally serum is cold concentrated by cryoconcentration, or can be treated with the other described methods.

With the above processes tomato products are obtained according to the invention having a content of water insoluble solids in the dry residue even up to 70%.

Generally, with the invention process are obtained tomato products having a content of water insoluble solids and of water soluble solids in the dry residue in the following ranges:

    • water insoluble solids: 30%-70%,
    • water soluble solids: 70%-30%.

To said tomato products it is possible to add lyophilized, or cryoconcentrated serum, or concentrated as described, to further improve the taste. It is thus possible to obtain, for example, tomato products having a lower content of water insoluble solids in the dry residue, generally comprised between 18 and 30%.

The tomato products according to the present invention allow to maintain the organoleptic and nutritional properties of the fresh tomato. Therefore in the present invention products there are no variations of the organoleptic properties, such for example it happens in the tomato products of the prior art wherein it is noticeable, for instance, a caramel taste and/or a cooking (“cotto”) smell.

Also the nutritional properties remain unaltered, since there is no alteration of the carotenoids, in particular of the lycopene, as it occurs in the commercial products.

The tomato compositions of the present invention can have a tomato taste that could result, depending on the water soluble/insoluble solids of the composition, more or less strong than the tomato sauces available on the market. The point to be stressed is that the taste of the commercial tomato sauces depends on the variety of tomatoes used and on their ripeness. Unexpectedly with the process invention it is possible to have tomato sauces having a constant taste from one production batch to another. This is a remarkable result from a commercial point of view. The Applicant has found that this taste variation depends on the ratio between soluble and insoluble compounds present in the tomato compositions. The present invention makes also possible to produce tomato products which more favourably meet the personal consumer's taste, since the ratio water soluble/insoluble solids, as said, can be therein varied.

The following not limiting Examples illustrate the invention.

EXAMPLES Characterization Methods Determination of the Saucing Power of a Tomato Product According to the Invention

Materials:

    • tomato product to be tested,
    • vegetable oil, preferably olive oil,
    • full length, not broken spaghetti No. 12 De Cecco trade mark with cooking time indicated by the manufacturer 12 minutes,
    • sea salt.

90 g of tomato product to be tested and 10 g of vegetable oil (condiment total weight: 100 g) are introduced into a vessel, preferably a plastic vessel, previously weighed and having 1 liter capacity.

70 g of spaghetti are cooked apart, in 1 liter of water containing 5 g of sea salt, for the time indicated on the package. At the end the cooked spaghetti are strained until no drops form any longer.

The cooked spaghetti is added to the condiment previously prepared in the plastic vessel and by a fork they are carefully mixed slowly for 5 minutes. The vessel is then put on a boiling water bain-marie for 5 minutes, without mixing spaghetti. From the vessel with a fork the spaghetti are taken in a number of 2-3 at a time and without shaking them, it is let fall in the vessel the condiment which tends to immediately detach.

In the plastic vessel it remains the condiment which has not adhered to the spaghetti. Lastly the plastic vessel is weighed and in this way it is determined the condiment weight which has not adhered to the pasta. The difference to 100 (initial condiment weight) gives the amount which has remained attached to the pasta (QA).

The saucing power is defined on the basis of the following equation:

Saucing power = Q A × 10 100

Determination of the Dry Residue: Total Solids

The total dry residue is determined in the tomato juice using a vacuum stove as described in Journal Officiel des Communitées Européenes 7.6.86 L.153 pages 5-6.

Determination of Water Soluble Solids

The determination of water soluble solids has been carried out using a refractometer (Brix degrees), with the method based on Journal Officiel des Communitées Européenes 7.6.86 L.153 pages 6-9.

Determination of Water Insoluble Solids

The determination of water insoluble solids has been carried out by calculating the weight difference between the dry residue and that of the water soluble solids (Brix value), as reported in “Tomato Production, Processing and Technology 3rd Ed.” by W. A. Gould, CTI Publications, Inc., 1992 page 317.

Determination of the Rheometric Properties

In a Dynamic stress Rheometer SR-200 (Rheometric Scientific) the shear stress (Pa) with respect to the speed gradient (s−1) has been measured.

Example 1 Preparation of a Tomato Product (Ro2 Code)

The processing is carried out under sterile conditions.

10 Kg of tomato juice (free from seeds and peels), previously hot break to inactivate enzymes, are portion-wise transferred in a 10 litre separator equipped with stirrer. The separator is constituted by food grade stainless steel wherein the walls are constituted by woven wire cloth having a hole diameter of 0.5 mm, the bottom wall of the separator does not have slots or holes. The stirring in the separator is such that the solid is conveyed towards the central zone of the separator. The distance between the separator walls and the stirrer blades is of 0.5 cm. The stirring (3 rpm) is started and it is operated at a temperature in the range 5° C.-10° C.

After 3 hours stirring speed is reduced to 2 rpm. It is noticed that the mass in the separator has become compact and homogeneous. After 7 hours from the process beginning, no serum is any longer separated from the mass in the separator. Stirring is interrupted and the obtained product is discharged. 2.7 kg of tomato product Ro2 are recovered.

The product analysis is the following:

    • dry residue: 10% by weight;
    • water: 90%;
    • water soluble solids: 50% by weight with respect to the dry residue.
    • water insoluble solids: 50% by weight with respect to the dry residue.

The rheological properties of the product Ro2 have been measured in comparison with the following commercial products: triple concentrate (TC), double concentate (DC), concentrate (C), tomato passatas.

The shear stress/speed gradient (s−1) trend is reported in the following figures and the respective data in the Tables as indicated hereinunder:

    • Ro2, TC: FIG. 1 and Tables 1 (Ro2) and 3 (TC);
    • TC, DC: FIG. 2 and Tables 4 (DC) and 3 (TC);
    • TC, C: FIG. 3 and Tables 5 (C) and 3 (TC);
    • Tomato passatas: FIG. 4 and Table 6.

The Figures show that Ro2 has rheological properties that overlap to those of TC and are superior to those, respectively, of DC, C and tomato passatas.

Example 2 Preparation of a Tomato Product (Ro1) by Adding to the Product Ro2 Lyophilized Tomato Serum

980 g of the product Ro2, to which 20 g of lyophilized tomato serum are then added, are transferred into a vessel equipped with stirrer, in a sterile environment. It is stirred at 8 rpm at a temperature in the range 5° C.-10° C., until a homogeneous mass is obtained (product Ro1).

It is found that Ro1 has a dry residue of 11.8% by weight, water 88.2%, the water soluble solids are 58.5% and the water insoluble solids are 41.5% of the dry residue.

The rheological properties (shear stress/speed gradient (s−1) trend) of the product Ro1 have been measured and compared with the same commercial products used for obtaining Ro2.

The Ro1 trend is reported in FIG. 1 and the data with which the rheogram has been plotted are reported in Table 2. It can be repeated the same conclusions above mentioned for Ro2.

Example 3 Preparation of Compositions of the Invention Tomato Products with Vegetable Oil

A composition of tomato product Ro1 and olive oil was prepared. In a vessel, under stirring at 200 rpm, olive oil was slowly added, at small portions, to the product Ro1, leaving the mass under stirring for 5 minutes. The englobed oil amount is 15% by weight. The product was recovered and let stand one month at +4° C., in a closed vessel, without showing substantial oil separation.

Example 4 Preparation of Compositions of the Invention Tomato Products with Vegetable Oil

The Example 3 was repeated but adding all at once, slowly, to Ro1 an oil amount equal to 15% by weight with respect to the Ro1 weight. After leaving the mass under stirring for further 5 minutes from the end of the addition, the product was recovered. The same results of the Example 3 are obtained.

Example 5 Preparation of Composition of the Invention Tomato Product Ro2 with Food Fat Solid at Room Temperature

The Example 3 was repeated but using a solid fat (butter), previously heated at 40° C. and then mixed with the tomato product Ro2 for 5 minutes (200 rpm) after the butter addition. The total added butter corresponds to 20% by weight of Ro1. After cooling a solid mass was obtained, from which serum does not separate, even after 20 days of storage in refrigerator at 5° C.

Example 6 Preparation of a Composition of the Invention Tomato Products Ro1 with Food Fat Solid at Room Temperature

Example 5 was repeated but adding a total amount of butter of 300% by weight with respect to the tomato product Ro1, leaving then under stirring (200 rpm) for 15 minutes after the addition to homogenize the mass. After cooling a solid mass was obtained, from which serum does not separate, even after 40 days of storage in a refrigerator at 5° C.

Example 7 Preparation of a Composition of Ro1 with Soft-Grain Cheese

In a vessel, under stirring (200 rpm), to the product Ro1 different amounts of Philadelphia® Light cheese have been added. It has been found that this soft cheese is miscible in all the ratios with the product Ro1. In particular compositions having the following weight ratios Ro1/cheese: 50/50, 75/25, 25/75 have been prepared.

Example 8 Preparation of a Composition of Ro2 with Hard-Grain, Grated Cheese and a Food Fat Solid at Room Temperature

In a vessel, under stirring (200 rpm), to 30 g of tomato product Ro2, 30 g of butter heated to 40° C. and 30 g of grated Parmesan cheese have been added. After 15 minutes of stirring the mass becomes homogeneous. At this point it is cooled to room temperature. A solid mass is obtained from which serum does not separate, even after 20 days of storage in a refrigerator at the temperature of 5° C.

Example 9 Preparation of a Composition of Ro1 with Soft-Grain Cheese

In a vessel, under stirring (200 rpm), to the product Ro1 different amounts of Jocca® cheese have been added. It has been found that this soft cheese is miscible in all ratios, as that used in the Example 7, with the product Ro1. Compositions having the same weight ratios Ro1/cheese as those of the Example 7: 50/50, 75/25, 25/75, have been prepared.

Example 10 Evaluation of the Saucing Power of the Invention Tomato Products in Comparison with Commercial Products

The method indicated in the characterization methods for the determination of the saucing power has been used, for the invention products Ro1 and Ro2 and the comparative commercial products triple tomato concentrate (TC), double concentrate (DC), concentrate (C) and tomato passatas.

The results are reported in Table 7. The data show that Ro2 shows the best combination of saucing power and of organoleptic properties (taste). In any case the invention products show an improved saucing power combined with improved organoleptic properties with respect to the commercial tomato products.

TABLE 1 Stress Ela Rate Torque Time Temp Strain(I) SS SS theta G′ G″ Posi- stress(I) Pa Pa · s s−1 N-m s ° C. % Time s Slope rad Pa Pa tion Pa 20.0000 1.48E+05 2.05E−04 5.03E−04 0 21.8 2.20E−01 30.0001 0.33458 0.22E−05 13184.1 0.00E+00 7 20.0989 33.6594 1.39E+08 2.42E−05 5.84E−04 29 21.8 4.14E−02 30.0001 0.03283 1.60E−05 81360.2 0.00E+00 7 33.6694 37.7664 DIV0 0 6.33E−04 59 21.8 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 0.00E+00 7 37.7664 42.3740 1.24E+08 3.41E−05 7.10E−04 89 21.8 0.21E−02 30.0001 0.04133 2.51E−05 68284.3 0.00E+00 7 42.3748 47.6461 1.43E+08 3.33E−05 7.97E−04 120 21.8 6.17E−02 30.0001 0.04017 2.09E−05 91939.5 0.00E+00 7 47.6461 53.3465 1.28E+08 4.10E−05 8.94E−04 150 21.8 6.21E−02 30.0001 0.0527 2.51E−05 85964.9 0.00E+00 7 53.3485 50.0557 1.20E+06 4.89E−05 0.001 180 21.8 6.21E−02 30.0001 0.05300 2.51E−05 98454.2 0.00E+00 7 59.8567 67.1692 1.02E+06 6.55E−05 0.00113 210 21.8 7.24E−02 30.0001 0.08091 2.93E−05 92782.9 0.00E+00 7 67.1592 75.3539 1.00E+06 3.80E−05 0.00126 240 21.8 1.14E−01 30.0001 0.0806 4.61E−05 66233.8 0.00E+00 7 75.3530 84.6485 1.88E+08 4.49E−05 0.00142 271 21.8 1.03E−01 30.0001 0.07438 4.19E−05 81747.1 0.00E+00 7 84.6485 94.085 2.28E+08 4.20E−05 0.00159 301 21.8 1.45E−01 30.0001 0.00772 5.86E−05 65515.5 0.00E+00 7 94.886 106.44 2.25E+08 4.73E−05 0.00178 331 21.8 1.07E−01 30.0001 0.01420 7.98E−05 54165 0.00E+00 7 106.44 110.420 2.40E+08 4.98E−05 0.002 360 21.8 2.30E−01 30.0001 0.01102 9.03E−05 50204.7 0.00E+00 7 110.420 134 2.23E+08 8.02E−05 0.00225 390 21.8 3.00E−01 30.0001 0.00914 1.21E−04 44676 0.00E+00 7 134 150.351 1.01E+08 8.33E−05 0.00252 421 21.8 4.03E−01 30.0001 0.01243 1.63E−04 37274.1 0.00E+00 7 150.351 168.698 1.55E+08 1.09E−04 0.00203 451 21.8 5.79E−01 30.0001 0.01197 2.35E−04 20126.2 0.00E+00 7 160.690 109.20 1.04E+06 1.03E−04 0.00317 401 21.8 9.31E−01 30.0001 0.04403 3.77E−04 20334.3 0.00E+00 7 189.20 212.376 0.37E+05 3.34E−04 0.00358 511 21.8 1.83E+00 30.0001 0.021 7.41E−04 11601.1 0.00E+00 7 212.376 230.20 1.97E+05 0.00121 0.00399 541 21.8 5.32E+00 30.0001 0.06067 0.00215 4482.39 0.00E+00 7 230.20 267.360 4825.01 0.0554 0.00448 572 21.8 0.29E+01 30.0001 0.02101 0.03764 207.677 0.00E+00 7 207.366 299.000 1019.57 0.29423 0.00503 602 21.8 8.84E+02 30.0001 0.00307 0.26874 45.21 0.00E+00 5 200.089 336.693 451.738 0.74511 0.00564 632 21.8 1.84E+03 30.0001 0.00274 0.74675 10.2798 0.00E+00 40 336.693 377.66 102.359 2.07007 0.00633 662 21.8 4.65E+03 30.0001 0.0070 1.88457 8.11608 0.00E+00 33 377.88

TABLE 2 RO 1 test: 1 Stress Ela Rate Torque Time Temp Strain(I) SS SS Pa Pa · s s−1 N-m s ° C. % Time s Slope 20.0989 1.78E+05 1.60E−04 5.03E−04 0 21.8 2.28E−01 30.0001 0.32238 83.6504 DIV0 0 5.64E−04 29 21.8 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 37.7664 DIV0 0 6.33E−04 69 21.8 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 42.3748 DIV0 0 7.10E−04 90 21.8 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 47.5461 1.55E+06 3.07E−05 7.97E−04 120 21.8 7.24E−02 30.0001 0.03246 53.3485 1.73E+06 3.08E−05 8.94E−04 150 21.8 7.24E−02 30.0001 0.03209 59.8557 1.70E+06 3.63E−05 0.001 180 21.8 7.24E−02 30.0001 0.03755 67.1502 1.68E+06 4.06E−05 0.00113 210 21.8 8.27E−02 30.0001 0.03962 75.3539 1.10E+06 6.36E−05 0.00126 241 21.8 8.27E−02 30.0001 0.06750 84.5405 1.23E+08 6.85E−05 0.00142 271 21.8 9.31E−02 30.0001 0.06750 94.865 2.90E+06 3.27E−05 0.00169 301 21.8 1.24E−01 30.0001 0.08709 106.44 1.82E+00 5.84E−05 0.00178 330 21.8 1.24E−01 30.0001 0.1288 110.428 2.77E+06 4.30E−05 0.002 360 21.8 1.97E−01 30.0001 0.01397 134 2.67E+06 5.02E−05 0.00225 391 21.8 2.48E−01 30.0001 0.00372 150.351 2.54E+06 5.91E−05 0.00252 421 21.8 2.50E−01 30.0001 0.01432 168.898 2.52E+06 5.70E−05 0.00283 451 21.8 3.62E−01 30.0001 0.00961 189.20 2.49E+06 7.60E−05 0.00317 481 21.8 4.34E−01 30.0001 0.01458 212.376 1.89E+06 1.12E−04 0.00356 511 21.8 5.90E−01 30.0001 0.01287 238.29 1.29E+06 1.84E−04 0.00399 542 21.8 9.72E−01 30.0001 0.01109 207.366 4.43E+05 6.03E−04 0.00448 572 21.8 2.93E+00 30.0001 6.38E−07 299.989 9453.04 0.03173 0.00583 602 21.8 5.38E+01 30.0001 0.03555 836.505 207.715 1.62042 0.00581 632 21.8 2.14E+03 30.0001 0.02396 Stress theta G′ G″ stress(I) Pa rad Pa Pa Position Pa 20.0989 0.22E−05 13184.1 0.00E+00 1.08E−38 29.9989 83.6504 0 0.00E+00 1.05E−38 33.8694 37.7664 0 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 37.7864 42.3748 0 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 42.3746 47.5461 2.93E−05 65671.1 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 47.5461 53.3485 2.93E−05 73884.2 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 53.3465 59.8557 2.93E−05 82675 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 59.8557 67.1502 3.35E−05 81167.5 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 67.1502 75.3539 3.35E−05 91071.4 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 75.3539 84.5405 3.77E−05 90830.1 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 84.5485 94.865  6.03E−05 78434.8 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 94.865 106.44   5.03E−05 85751.2 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 108.44 110.428  7.96E−05 60774.1 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 119.428 134    1.01E−04 53983.5 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 134 150.351  1.05E−04 68147.7 0.00E+00 1.06E−38 150.351 168.898  1.47E−04 46602 0.00E+00 0 168.898 189.20   1.76E−04 43573.6 0.00E+00 0 189.28 212.376  2.39E−04 36024.5 0.00E+00 0 212.378 238.29   3.94E−04 24510.1 0.00E+00 0 238.20 207.366  0.00119 9134.52 0.00E+00 0 207.366 299.989  0.02181 557.144 0.00E+00 0 299.989 836.505  0.06562 15.7479 0.00E+00 0 338.585

TABLE 3 Tomato Triple Concentrate Stress Ela Rate Torque time Temp Strain(I) SS theta N1 Pa Pa · s s−1 N-m s ° C. % Time s SS Slope rad Position Pa NormalForce N 4.99982 DIV0 0.00E+00 0.38E−05 0 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 6.60989 DIV0 0.00E+00 9.40E−05 29 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 6.2944 DIV0 0.00E+00 1.05E−04 80 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 7.06244 DIV0 0.00E+00 1.18E−04 90 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 7.92410 DIV0 0.00E+00 1.33E−04 121 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 8.89108 DIV0 0.00E+00 1.49E−04 151 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 9.97595 DIV0 0.00E+00 1.87E−04 180 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 11.1932 DIV0 0.00E+00 1.88E−04 211 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 12.559 DIV0 0.00E+00 2.10E−04 241 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 14.0014 DIV0 0.00E+00 2.36E−04 272 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 15.0108 DIV0 0.00E+00 2.65E−04 302 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 17.74 DIV0 0.00E+00 2.97E−04 331 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 19.9046 DIV0 0.00E+00 3.04E−04 362 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 22.3334 DIV0 0.00E+00 3.74E−04 392 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 25.0585 DIV0 0.00E+00 4.20E−04 423 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 28.1181 DIV0 0.00E+00 4.71E−04 452 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 31.5407 DIV0 0.00E+00 5.29E−04 482 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 35.396 DIV0 0.00E+00 5.93E−04 513 20 0.00E+00 30.0001 0 0 1 0 0 39.715 9.81E+05 4.13E−05 8.65E−04 543 20 7.24E−02 30.0001 0.04596 2.03E−05 1 0 0 44.561 8.83E+05 5.18E−05 7.47E−04 574 10.00 7.24E−02 30.0001 0.05922 2.93E−05 1 0 0 49.9982 7.72E+05 6.40E−05 8.38E−04 603 20 8.27E−02 30.0001 0.06921 3.35E−05 1 0 0 58.0989 1.53E+06 3.68E−05 9.40E−04 633 20 1.14E−01 30.0001 0.09517 4.61E−05 1 0 0 62.944 1.48E+06 4.25E−05 0.00105 664 20 1.24E−01 30.0001 0.10560 5.03E−05 1 0 0 70.6244 1.67E+06 4.22E−05 0.00118 694 20 1.55E−01 30.0001 0.01448 6.28E−05 1 0 0 79.2418 1.88E+06 4.21E−05 0.00133 725 20 2.07E−01 30.0001 0.01343 8.38E−05 1 0 0 88.9100 1.86E+06 5.38E−05 0.00149 754 20 2.38E−01 30.0001 0.0129 9.63E−05 1 0 0 99.7596 1.90E+06 6.25E−05 0.00167 784 20 2.00E−01 30.0001 0.01318 1.17E−04 1 0 0 111.932 1.81E+06 6.06E−05 0.00180 815 20 3.52E−01 30.0001 0.0119 1.42E−04 1 0 0 125.59 1.85E+06 7.60E−05 0.0021 845 20 4.65E−01 30.0001 0.01450 1.09E−04 1 0 0 140.914 1.54E+06 0.15E−05 0.00236 878 20 5.27E−01 30.0001 0.00889 2.14E−04 1 0 0 168.108 1.18E+00 1.08E−04 0.00265 905 20 8.41E−01 30.0001 0.00884 2.80E−04 1 0 0 177.4 1.27E+06 1.40E−04 0.00297 935 20 6.69E−01 30.0001 0.00674 3.62E−04 1 0 0 100.048 7.47E+05 2.67E−04 0.00334 966 20 1.20E+00 30.0001 0.01828 5.24E−04 1 0 0 223.334 60084.3 3.80E−03 0.00374 996 20 0.01E+00 30.0001 0.03482 0.00324 1 0 0 260.606 6802.51 3.60E−02 0.0042 1026 20 0.24E+01 30.0001 0.01189 0.03744 1 0 0 281.184 2821.00 1.07E−01 0.00471 1057 20 2.93E+01 30.0001 0.00241 0.11884 0 0 0 315.407 1270.03 2.47E−01 0.00529 1087 20 8.68E+02 30.0001 0.00284 0.26955 48 0 0 353.08 0.10.007 5.71E−01 0.00503 1116 20 1.40E+03 30.0001 0.0046 0.69812 43 0 0 307.140 337.724 1.18E+00 0.00665 1146 20 3.06E+03 30.0001 0.00524 1.24068 33 0 0 446.806 167.326 2.68E+00 0.00747 1177 20 0.24E+03 30.0001 0.0074 2.52762 12 0 0 408.384 1.01203 4.02E+02 0.00835 1207 20 5.00E+05 30.0001 0.01608 205.036 40 0 0

TABLE 4 DC test 1 Stress Ela Rate Torque Temp SS Pa Pa · s s−1 N-m time s ° C. Strain(I) % Time s 40.9982 7.53E+05 8.64E−05 8.38E−04 0 21.8 8.40E−01 30.0001 56.0989 1.09E+06 5.14E−05 9.40E−04 29 21.8 7.86E−01 30.0001 62.944 1.18E+06 5.34E−05 0.00105 59 21.8 2.07E−01 30.0001 70.6244 8.48E+05 8.33E−05 0.00118 90 21.8 2.38E−01 30.0001 79.2418 1.33E+06 6.94E−05 0.00133 120 21.8 2.38E−01 30.0001 88.9108 1.32E+06 6.75E−05 0.00149 150 21.8 3.00E−01 30.0001 99.7598 1.18E+06 8.46E−05 0.00187 180 21.8 4.03E−01 30.0001 111.032 9.08E+05 1.24E−04 0.00188 210 21.8 6.07E−01 30.0001 125.50 9.29E+05 1.35E−04 0.0021 241 21.8 7.24E−01 30.0001 140.914 6.45E+05 2.59E−04 0.00236 271 21.8 1.15E+00 30.0001 158.108 2.80E+05 5.86E−04 0.00285 301 21.8 2.40E+00 30.0001 177.4 58308.2 0.00304 0.00297 331 21.8 8.89E+00 30.0001 199.046 5094.7 0.03907 0.00334 360 21.8 7.95E+01 30.0001 223.334 1455.9 0.1534 0.00374 391 21.8 3.75E+02 30.0001 250.505 711.847 0.38202 0.0042 421 21.8 0.31E+02 30.0001 284.16 378.474 0.74288 0.00471 451 21.8 1.89E+03 30.0001 315.463 166.641 1.80307 0.00520 481 21.8 4.52E+03 30.0001 336.064 0.87151 385.61 0.00583 511 21.8 9.24E+04 30.0001 Stress SS theta G′ G″ stress(I) Pa Slope rad Pa Pa Position Pa 40.9982 0.0197 3.43E−04 5895.32 0.00E+00 2 49.0982 56.0989 0.00955 7.54E−05 30133.4 0.00E+00 2 56.0989 62.944 0.00917 8.38E−05 30429.2 0.00E+00 2 62.944 70.6244 0.06719 9.63E−05 29608.8 0.00E+00 2 70.6244 79.2418 0.0172 9.63E−05 33311.4 0.00E+00 2 79.2418 88.9108 0.00631 1.21E−04 29643.1 0.00E+00 2 88.9108 99.7598 0.00977 1.83E−04 24731.8 0.00E+00 2 99.7696 111.032  0.01481 2.05E−04 22086.4 0.00E+00 2 111.932 125.50   0.0061 2.93E−04 17346.9 0.00E+00 2 125.59 140.914  0.0400 4.85E−04 12274.3 0.00E+00 2 140.914 158.108  0.06567 9.72E−04 6589.2 0.00E+00 2 158.108 177.4   0.02847 0.0036 1994.45 0.00E+00 2 177.4 199.046  0.01121 0.03222 260.229 0.00E+00 1 199.946 223.334  0.00394 0.15084 59.965 0.00E+00 0 223.334 250.505  0.00166 0.37721 26.9047 0.00E+00 47 250.686 284.16   0.00522 0.76659 14.8541 0.00E+00 41 281.16 315.463  0.01059 1.8305 6.97965 0.00E+00 26 316.483 336.064  0.22919 37.4415 0.36352 0.00E+00 38 338.064

TABLE 5 C test 1 Stress Ela Rate Torque Temp Pa Pa · s s−1 N-m time s ° C. Strain(I) % SS Time s 9.99964 1.70E+05 5.58E−05 1.60E−04 0 21.8 6.62E−01 30.0001 11.2198 3.38E+05 3.32E−05 1.88E−04 30 21.8 1.14E−01 30.0001 12.5888 1.29E+05 9.76E−05 2.11E−04 60 21.8 1.55E−01 30.0001 14.1240 3.64E+05 3.09E−05 2.37E−04 91 21.8 1.24E−01 30.0001 15.8484 4.36E+05 3.83E−05 2.66E−04 121 21.8 1.55E−01 30.0001 17.7022 2.96E+05 8.02E−05 2.08E−04 151 21.8 1.76E−01 30.0001 19.9519 3.52E+05 5.67E−05 3.34E−04 161 21.8 2.07E−01 30.0001 22.3864 3.66E+05 6.12E−05 3.76E−04 211 21.8 3.21E−01 30.0001 25.118 2.41E+05 1.04E−04 4.21E−04 241 21.8 5.07E−01 30.0001 28.1828 59865 4.71E−04 4.72E−04 271 21.8 2.20E+00 30.0001 31.6217 26718.5 0.00110 5.30E−04 301 21.8 4.78E+00 30.0001 35.4802 1395.92 0.02542 5.94E−04 331 21.8 5.19E+01 30.0001 39.8091 333.057 0.11953 6.67E−04 361 21.8 2.98E+02 30.0001 44.6664 136.674 0.32601 7.48E−04 392 21.8 0.57E+02 30.0001 50.1159 68.4756 0.73188 0.40E−04 422 21.8 1.91E+03 30.0001 56.2312 38.277 1.56005 0.42E−04 452 21.8 3.94E+03 30.0001 63.0904 10.0316 3.16534 0.00108 482 21.8 7.90E+03 30.0001 70.7595 7.04429 0.02061 0.00119 512 21.8 1.99E+04 30.0001 70.3276 2.13192 37.2094 0.00133 543 21.8 7.17E+04 30.0001 89.2037 1.00677 81.3328 0.00149 573 21.8 2.22E+05 30.0001 100.243 0.80728 143.787 0.00168 602 21.8 4.08E+05 30.0001 112.38 0.4634 247.881 0.00188 632 21.8 8.70E+05 30.0001 128.18 0.33550 376.004 0.00211 663 21.8 1.07E+06 30.0001 141.308 0.2401 667.203 0.00237 683 21.8 1.65E+08 30.0001 158.346 0.10264 821.993 0.00265 723 21.8 2.35E+06 30.0001 177.42 0.16473 1077.01 0.00297 754 21.8 3.19E+06 30.0001 199.079 0.1382 1440.49 0.00334 784 21.8 4.11E+06 30.0001 223.337 0.11941 1870.29 0.00374 814 21.8 5.28E+06 30.0001 251.339 0.11326 2210.04 0.00421 845 21.8 6.74E+06 30.0001 202.130 0.10672 2643.73 0.00473 875 21.8 7.78E+06 30.0001 316.874 0.09406 3320.03 0.00529 905 21.8 9.48E+06 30.0001 Stress theta G′ G″ stress(I) Pa SS Slope rad Pa Pa Position Pa  9.99964 0.02358 2.68E−04 1510.67 0.00E+00 28 9.99964 11.2198 0.07678 4.61E−05 9881.06 0.00E+00 28 11.2198 12.5888 0.0004 6.28E−05 8114.48 0.00E+00 28 12.5888 14.1240 0.11779 5.03E−05 11380.7 0.00E+00 28 14.1240 15.8484 0.01298 6.28E−05 10215.5 0.00E+00 28 15.8484 17.7022 0.0277 7.12E−05 10113.5 0.00E+00 28 17.7022 19.9519 0.02512 8.38E−05 9646.41 0.00E+00 28 19.9519 22.3864 0.00972 1.30E−04 8982.15 0.00E+00 28 22.3864 25.118 0.00409 2.05E−04 4956.27 0.00E+00 28 25.118 28.1828 0.11241 8.92E−04 1279.3 0.00E+00 28 28.1828 31.6217 0.03648 0.00194 661.773 0.00E+00 28 31.6217 35.4802 0.01768 0.02104 68.3086 0.00E+00 28 35.4802 39.8091 0.00876 0.12082 13.366 0.00E+00 27 39.8091 44.6664 0.00489 0.34692 6.21437 0.00E+00 24 44.6664 50.1159 0.00837 0.77453 2.62055 0.00E+00 18 50.1159 56.2312 0.00335 1.69654 1.42733 0.00E+00 5 56.2312 63.0904 0.00403 3.23394 0.79011 0.00E+00 28 63.0904 70.7595 0.01829 8.04345 0.35829 0.00E+00 12 70.7595 70.3276 0.01495 20.0404 0.11083 0.00E+00 21 70.3276 89.2037 0.01263 90.0674 0.04011 0.00E+00 31 89.2037 100.243  0.01538 165.166 0.02458 0.00E+00 26 100.243 112.38   0.00514 271.461 0.01677 0.00E+00 47 112.30 128.18   0.00542 433.814 0.01178 0.00E+00 33 128.18 141.308  0.00337 469.478 0.00855 0.00E+00 31 141.308 158.346  0.0017 953.198 0.00673 0.00E+00 38 158.346 177.42   0.00260 1293.01 0.00566 0.00E+00 4 177.42 199.079  0.00196 1664.01 0.00486 0.00E+00 3 199.079 223.337  0.00135 2136.97 0.00423 0.00E+00 29 223.337 251.339  3.04E−04 2729.09 0.00373 0.00E+00 34 251.339 202.130  5.49E−04 3152.6 0.00362 0.00E+00 31 202.130 316.874  5.93E−04 3840.24 0.00333 0.00E+00 45 316.874

TABLE 6 Rate N1 Pa s−1 N m ° C. (I) % SS SS Slope rad Position Pa N 0.68000 34728.3 5.385E−08 7.05E−06 30 20 0.0055007 30 0.01036 2.78263E−00 31 0 0 0.82044 XDIV/01 0 7.01E−08 50 20 0 30 0 0 31 0 0 0.70634 27410.7 0.500E−08 8.076E−06 00 20 0.0027953 30 0.0140433 1.39827E−06 31 0 0 0.7924387 21650.36 3.423E−06 0.058E−06 121 20 0.0279057 30 0.00843 1.30627E−05 31 0 0 0.8001087 10586.36 3.070E−06 1.117E−06 161 20 0.0111757 30 0.1018433 6.58507E−06 31 0 0 0.0078 XDIVXII 0 1.264E−05 181 20 0 30 0 0 31 0 0 1.11932 XDIV/01 0 1.407E−05 211 20 0 30 0 0 31 0 0 1.2558933 6142.0 8.816E−06 1.670E−05 241 20 0.0139027 30 0.0882033 0.00133E−06 31 0 0 1.40914 28574.8 1.0446E−06  1.771E−05 271 20 0.011160 30 0.0103433 0.000005685 31 0 0 1.56105 XDIV/01 0 1.087E−05 302 20 0 30 0 0 31 0 0 1.774 XDIV/01 0 2.220E−05 332 20 0 30 0 0 31 0 0 1.9904867 14785 4.487E−05 2.501E−06 362 20 0.04103 30 0.000387 0.000020044 31 0 0 2.23334 80285.5 1.871E−06 2.867E−05 392 20 0.0303223 30 0.0232807 1.81517E−06 31 0 0 2.60565 87916.3 2.860E−05 3.140E−05 423 20 0.050043 30 0.301333 0.00020322 31 0 0 2.81181 06002.2 4.200E−06 3.433E−05 463 20 0.087021 30 0.0512333 0.00003351 31 0 0 3.15487 87012.707 3.776E−06 3.084E−05 483 20 0.083778 30 0.00326 0.000041888 31 0 0 3.6300 124813.33 2.881E−06 4.448E−05 513 20 0.1177133 30 0.00136 5.55603E−05 31 0 0 3.0715 00550.1 6.714E−06 4.001E−05 543 20 0.1308333 30 0.04377 0.000088417 31 0 0 4.1680987 101738.83 4.020E−05 6.0E−05 573 20 0.1703687 30 0.02501 0.51717E−05 31 0 0 4.00982 90181.133 6.130E−05 0.289E−05 604 20 0.2178267 30 0.0086167 0.00010801 31 0 0 5.00980 11155.067 8.055E−05 7.05E−05 634 20 0.28205 30 0.0148378 0.000141023 31 0 0 0.2044 81407.087 0.0001204 7.91E−05 664 20 0.4210833 30 0.0127087 0.000210037 31 0 0 7.00244 57415.233 0.0001246 8.876E−05 684 20 0.7511307 30 0.0345933 0.000376607 31 0 0 7.02418 34778.807 0.0002340 9.950E−05 725 20 1.0000987 30 0.0201167 0.000504053 31 0 0 0.8910833 21230.2 0.0004212 0.0001117 766 20 1.7000333 30 0.0456267 0.000895003 31 0 0 9.0700233 12228.87 0.000800 0.0001254 786 20 3.0050807 30 0.2000367 0.001053339 31 0 0 11.193233 5387.07 0.0021313 0.0001407 816 20 0.6060333 30 0.1100007 0.0040 31 0 0 12.558887 500.45207 0.0288107 0.0001578 845 20 01.335333 30 0.0287387 0.030073333 31 0 0 14.001233 111.66037 0.1260233 0.0001771 876 20 316.60333 30 0.0003167 0.167863333 30 0 0 15.010557 60.501287 0.2804033 0.0001087 908 20 707.70 30 0.0000287 0.3830 43 0 0 17.7307 35.640233 0.5004387 0.0002229 930 20 1404.8 30 0.0043067 0.702420867 37 0 0 19.004 24.290033 0.82164 0.0002601 966 20 2317.7583 30 0.00374 1.168883333 28 0 0 22.3332 17.133133 1.3038333 0.0002606 996 20 3009.0333 30 0.0040233 1.64051 13 0 0 25.067567 12.1413 2.0886 0.00031411 1027 20 6830.7333 30 0.0032907 2.914306667 39 0 0 26.116 8.8815333 3.1796 0.0003433 1057 20 9000.0 30 0.0028333 4.50031 10 0 0 31.6400 0.6947467 4.0012333 0.0003004 1087 20 13010 30 0.00403 0.95467 28 0 0 36.303 4.7740233 7.4010007 0.0004446 1118 20 21922 30 0.0020687 10.00600867 24 0 0 80.7122 3.2612287 12.467007 0.000400 1148 20 34330.333 30 0.00643 17.100 33 0 0 14.430007 1.0027093 23.437333 0.0005800 1177 20 88407 30 0.01064 30.24520807 18 0 0 indicates data missing or illegible when filed

TABLE 7 Test of the saucing power and organoleptic properties on the invention products Ro1 and Ro2 and on commercial tomato products: triple concentrate, double concentrate, concentrate and tomato passatas. Condiment attached to the pasta Organoleptic properties Product (g) Saucing power (taste, smell) Ro2 88.0 8.8 delicate taste of fresh tomato, (Ex. 1) fresh tomato smell Ro1 97.8 9.8 very good taste and fresh tomato (Ex. 2) smell triple concentrate 70.0 7 caramel, bitter taste, the tomato is not (TC) recognized; cooking (“cotto”) smell double concentrate 65.0 6.5 caramel taste, the tomato is not (DC) recognized; cooking (“cotto”) smell. concentrate (C) 62.0 6.2 very sweet taste, the tomato is not recognized; tomato smell tomato passatas' 40.0 4 boiled pasta taste, very light tomato smell

Claims

1. A process for the separation of the liquid (tomato juice serum) from a tomato suspension by using a separation solid-liquid apparatus wherein the suspension to be filtered is maintained under stirring at an angular speed from 1 rpm to 20 rpm, preferably from 2 rpm to 10 rpm, the stirrer being of a shape to convey the suspension toward the central axis of the apparatus, or there is not a stirrer and it is the apparatus that rotates.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus for separating the liquid from a tomato suspension is a sieve maintained under an oscillating motion, preferably under a nutational motion, the oscillations per minute being from 1 to 20 oscillations/min, preferably from 2 to 10 oscillations/min.

3. A process according to claim 1, wherein sterile conditions are used or the final tomato product undergoes a sterilization process.

4. A process according to claim 1, wherein it is operated at temperatures in the range 5EC-25EC, preferably 10EC-15EC, at atmospheric pressure, or using pressures slightly higher than that atmospheric, from 760 mm Hg (0.101 MPa) up to 900 mm Hg (0.120 MPa) or by applying pressures slightly lower than the atmospheric pressure, down to 450 mm Hg (0.06 MPa).

5. A process according to claim 1, wherein it is used a separation solid liquid apparatus constituted of a vessel having walls with slots or with holes; wherein the width of the slots or the diameter of holes is not greater than 0.1 mm and preferably not smaller than 0.02 mm, the slot length ranging from 30 cm to 2 meters, said vessel having a cylindrical section, the separator equipped with a mechanical stirrer, the distance between the separator walls and the stirrer blades is from 0.5 to 2 cm.

6. A process according to claim 2, wherein a concave- or flat-shaped sieve, having a holes diameter or slot widths not greater than 0.1 mm, preferably not lower than 0.02 mm, preferably it is operated at atmospheric pressure.

7. A process according to claim 1, wherein it is used an equipment constituted by a cylinder constituted by food grade stainless steel wherein the walls have openings or slots formed by woven wire cloth, or by screens, or said walls have holes, being the width of the openings of slots, or the diameter in the case of holes, not greater than 0.1 mm and preferably not lower than 0.02 mm, said cylinder having inside a stirrer in the form of an Archimedean screw revolving free in the fixed cylinder, or the cylinder is a rotating tube wound helically about a cylindrical axis.

8. A process according to claim 7, wherein rotation of the moving part is at an angular speed of 2-10 rpm.

9. A process according to claim 7, wherein the cylinder is in an horizontal position, and has a diameter ranging from 30 cm and 1 meter, a length from 2 meters to 20 meters and preferably from 2 meters to 5 meters for apparatus working in a discontinuos way; preferably about 20 meters for the apparatuses working in a continuous way.

10. A process according to claim 1, wherein when treating tomato suspensions deriving from partially ripened tomatoes the separation solid-liquid apparatus is provided with slots width or holes diameter not higher than 0.5 mm, preferably about 0.3 mm.

11. A process according to claim 1, wherein the tomato products have a content of water insoluble solids in the dry residue in the range 40-70%.

12. A process according to claim 11, wherein the tomato products having a content of water insoluble solids in the dry residue in the range 40-70%, are added of lyophilized or cryoconcentrated serum, or serum concentrated by osmosis membrane or by evaporation under vacuum, to obtain tomato products having a lower content of water insoluble solids in the dry residue, preferably in the range 18-40%.

13. A process for the separation of tomato juice serum from a tomato suspension by using a separation solid-liquid apparatus wherein the suspension to be filtered is maintained under stirring at an angular speed from 1 rpm to 20 rpm, the stirrer being of a shape to convey the suspension toward the central axis of the apparatus, or wherein there is no stirrer and the apparatus rotates.

14. A process according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus for separating the liquid from a tomato suspension is a sieve maintained under an oscillating motion, the oscillations being from 1 to 20 oscillations/min.

15. A process according to claim 13, wherein sterile conditions are used or the final tomato product undergoes a sterilization process.

16. A process according to claim 13, wherein the process is conducted at temperatures in the range of 5° C.-25° C., at atmospheric pressure, or at pressures slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, from 760 mm Hg (0.101 MPa) up to 900 mm Hg (0.120 MPa) or by applying pressures slightly lower than atmospheric pressure, down to 450 mm Hg (0.06 MPa).

17. A process according to claim 13, wherein a separation solid-liquid apparatus constituted of a vessel having walls with slots or with holes is employed, wherein the width of the slots or the diameter of the holes is not greater than 0.1 mm, the slot length ranging from 30 cm to 2 meters, said vessel having a cylindrical section, the separator being equipped with a mechanical stirrer, wherein the distance between the separator walls and the stirrer blades is from 0.5 to 2 cm.

18. A process according to claim 13, wherein a concave- or flat-shaped sieve, having hole diameters or slot widths not greater than 0.1 mm is operated at atmospheric pressure.

19. A process according to claim 13, wherein the equipment employed comprises a cylinder constituted by food grade stainless steel wherein the walls have openings or slots formed by woven wire cloth, or by screens, or said walls have holes, being the width of the openings of the slots, or hole diameters not greater than 0.1 mm, said cylinder having an inner stirrer in the form of an Archimedean screw revolving free in the fixed cylinder, or the cylinder is a rotating tube wound helically about a cylindrical axis.

20. A process according to claim 13, wherein the rotation of the moving part is at an angular speed of 2-10 rpm.

21. A process according to claim 19, wherein the cylinder is in a horizontal position, and has a diameter ranging from 30 cm to 1 meter or a length from 2 meters to 20 meters for apparatus working in a discontinuous way or about 20 meters for apparatus which works in a continuous way.

22. A process according to claim 13, wherein the separation solid-liquid apparatus is provided with slots having a width or holes having a diameter not higher than 0.5 mm when treating tomato suspensions derived from partially ripened tomatoes.

23. A process according to claim 13, wherein the tomato composition has a content of water-insoluble solids in the dry residue from 18% to 30%.

24. A process according to claim 13, wherein to tomato compositions having a content of water-insoluble solids in the dry residue in the range from 20% to 30% is added lyophilized or cryoconcentrated serum, or serum concentrated by an osmosis membrane or by evaporation under vacuum.

Patent History
Publication number: 20100136193
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 23, 2009
Publication Date: Jun 3, 2010
Inventor: Aurelio ROMEO (Roma)
Application Number: 12/624,298
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Removal Of Desired Liquid From Solid Plant Material (426/489)
International Classification: A23L 1/211 (20060101);