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Abstract
West Indian Cherry (Malpighia glabra) fruits were harvested, cleaned, and either pressed immediately or frozen. Fruits were either crushed, or thawed and crushed in a one-horsepower stainless steel grape crusher at a rate of 20 kg per minute. The crushed pulp was top-loaded into a 70 1. capacity bladder press, which utilizes water capacity at 3 atm. to expand the bladder, thereby squeezing the pulp. The press capacity is about 230 kg of pulp with a load and press cycle taking 25 minutes. Juice recovery was approximately 65% for fresh fruits and 70% for frozen fruits. Juice was filtered and introduced into either new 2 1. plastic drink bottles or 19 1. lined pails and frozen. A three-person crew was able to complete a crushing, pressing, and filling cycle which produced ISO kg juice in 40 minutes, for a direct labour cost of U.S.5.05 per kg. Press equipment, containers, freezing and building costs are discussed.