SUMMARY— The near‐infrared spectral absorption properties of P‐mm‐thick samples of meat emulsions were measured by direct spectrophotometric techniques. The resulting spectra are interpreted in terms of absorptions from O‐H and C‐H stretching vibrations combined with scatter losses. Optical‐density differences are correlated with fat and moisture contents. The difference in optical density between 1.80 and 1.725 p gave a high correlation with moisture content and the difference between 1.725 and 1.65 P gave a high correlation with fat content. Direct spectrophotometric analysis predicted fat content within a standard error of ± 2.1% and moisture content within ± 1.4%. The possibilities of this technique are explored and the problems to be solved in developing a rapid, accurate method are discussed

Orange juice concentrates were packaged aseptically by a "Dole" aseptic canning machine using 6 oz metal cans. The final juice products (ll", 34', 44', 58" Brix) were stored between -18" and 36°C and tested periodically for nonenzymatic browning, ascorbic acid destruction, furfural and sensory changes. Nonenzymatic browning, the main deterioration phenomena in these products, was satisfactorily retarded at 12°C or lower. Ascorbic acid destruction rate constant was dependent on temperatures between 5 and 25"C, and was affected by degree of juice concentration. Furfural accumulation in juice was higher than that in 58' Brix concentrate. Orange juice concentrate of 58" Brix did not show flavor changes after storage at 5°C or 12°C for 17 or 10 months, respectively, when evaluated after reconstitution to 11' Brix.

SUMMARY— Firmness in fruits is sometimes evaluated as being the force necessary to attain a given deformation within the product. Since modulus of elasticity is defined as the ratio of stress to strain, it should measure resistance to force and, hence, the firmness of a material. Using a sonic technique, the resonant frequencies of cylindrical specimens of flesh from Valery bananas were measured and Young's modulus of elasticity was calculated. Softening of the banana during ripening was associated with a decrease in Young's modulus of elasticity from 272 × 105 dynes/cm2 at ripeness corresponding to a light green peel color to 85 × 105 dynes/cm2 at the yellow stage. Modulus of elasticity was significantly and directly correlated with starch content, but inversely correlated with luminous reflectance and the logarithm of percent reducing sugars.