Vegetable Processing Industry Research Articles

Separation of soybean oil/n-hexane and soybean oil/n-butane mixtures using ceramic membranes

This study aimed to investigate the separations of mixtures of refined soybean oil/n-hexane, crude soybean oil/n-hexane (industrial miscella) and refined soybean oil/pressurized n-butane using membrane technology. Commercial ceramic membranes with molecular weight cut-offs between 5 and 10kDa were employed, varying the mass ratios of the oil/solvent, from 1:1 to 1:3 (w/w). Oil rejections up to 100%, total permeate fluxes (oil+solvent) up to 42.97kg/m2h with oil permeate fluxes up to 1.4kg/m2h were obtained. The industrial miscella showed the same behavior observed for the synthetic mixtures presenting an increase in the oil rejection with a decrease in total permeate flux. In the separation of the oil/n-butane mixtures, higher oil rejections were obtained when compared to the system oil/n-hexane. The results presented in this work indicate the potential applicability of membrane technology in vegetable oil processing and biodiesel industries in the solvent recovery step.

The nitrogen fertiliser value and other agronomic benefits of industrial biowastes

An estimated 7 million t of industrial biowastes are landspread annually in the UK. Quantitative research into their fertiliser replacement value and agronomic benefit is required to increase their use in agriculture, recycle valuable nutrients, and contribute to the reduction of biodegradable waste sent to landfill. A programme of systematically designed field experiments was established to quantify the agronomic value of a range of industrial biowastes, including examples from the vegetable, meat and dairy processing industries and digested biowastes from industrial aerobic and anaerobic digestion plants. Dewatered anaerobically digested biosolids (DMAD) was included as a reference material. Yield and N offtake responses of perennial ryegrass, at five rates of application of each biowaste type were used to calculate the N equivalency relative to mineral N fertiliser. Liquid thermophilic aerobic digestate (LTAD) of food waste was an effective source of available N, with an N equivalency of 59–76 %. Liquid mesophilic anaerobic co-digestates of livestock slurry and food waste (LcoMAD) had N equivalencies between 68 and 85 %. Vegetable processing waste and brewing waste (yeast) had N equivalency values of 45 and 89 %, respectively. Regarding other nutrient elements, the biowastes were generally a source of P, vegetable wastes were significant sources of K, and DMAD and the dewatered anaerobically digested organic fraction of municipal solid waste (DMADMSW) were effective sources of S. Certain waste types were not effective sources of N for crop growth (e.g. potato processing wastes, kieselguhr) and require further investigation at greater rates of application to determine their agronomic benefit.

English

The aim of the research is to evaluate the differences between economic and financial results in a sample of micro enterprises (MEs) and small / medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in fruit and vegetables processing industry in Italy. The firms included in the sample operate in an industry characterized by high capital intensity; this character is caused by the length of working capital cycle and high level of fixed asset investment. These characteristics of the firms can amplify the differences in economic and financial management results. In order to offer a comparison in applying economic and financial approaches, especially useful for agro-food firms operating in a capital intensive sector, in the article are calculated 12 ratios, of which 7 are sustainability ratios (calculated 3 with economic approach and 4 with financial approach) and 5 are interest coverage ratios (calculated 2 with economic approach and 3 with financial approach). The article highlights that economic and financial approach has statistically different result in the firm’s sample. Considering the significant differences in economic approach and financial approach, the firms could incur in error, and it will be necessary to identify which of the 2 approaches provides the correct indication of sustainability. The way of analysis proposed in the article can then be used to analyze firms operating in other agro-food sectors, especially if characterized by high capital intensity, high capital investment in fixed assets, long production cycle and long time debt collection.   Key words: Firm cycle sustainability, economic and financial approach, interest coverage ratio, fruit and vegetables processing industry.

Risk profiling of wash waters in vegetable processing industry towards possible allergen carry-over

The carry-over of food allergens via reuse of water in the food industry deserves more attention. The lack of quantitative knowledge on this topic, hampers reliable estimations of the potential risk for the produce processing industry. Wash water samples from three vegetable processing industries were collected and significant protein concentrations were determined in the water (0–596μg/ml). The influence of several product and process parameters on the protein carry-over from the vegetable to the wash water was studied. The type of process, batch or semi-continuous, had an impact on the protein carry-over, as well as the degree of cutting and the surface area of the vegetable. It was shown that the protein carry-over to the wash water is higher at acid pH. In the vegetable processing industry acid is often added to the wash water to prevent enzymatic browning in e.g. celeriac.

Current and future applications for nanofiltration technology in the food processing

The increase in energy costs and the demands for products with greater nutritional value and of processing procedures less toxic to the environment are attractive factors for transferring membrane processing to food industries. Nanofiltration (NF) technology is still evolving, finding more and more applications in food processing and appears as an important alternative to conventional methods. The purpose of this review is to present the recent development and future potential of NF processes in the food industry. Recent research has highlighted the potential for NF use in wide ranging, including water softening, wastewater treatment, vegetable oil processing, beverage, dairy and sugar industry. NF has been established as greater separation efficiency, successfully reduces the wastewater, done under low temperatures, reduction in number of processing steps and presents a promising choice toward the achievement of cost effective process. NF carries quite distinctive properties such as pore radius and surface charge density which influences the separation of various solutes.

Utilization of Pineapple Waste: A Review

Waste utilization in fruits and vegetable processing industries is one of the important and challengeable jobs around the world. It is anticipated that the discarded fruits as well as its waste materials could be utilized for further industrial purposes viz. fermentation, extraction of bioactive components, extraction of functional ingredients etc. Researchers have focused on the utilization of pineapple waste primarily for extraction of bromelain enzyme and secondarily as low-cost raw material for the production of ethanol, phenolic anti-oxidants, organic acids, biogas and fiber production. Pertinent scientific and technological implications would produce better and more profitable markets for pineapple wastes. This review is the collection of previous reports along with our ongoing work on utilization of pineapple wastes J. Food Sci. Technol. Nepal, Vol. 6 (10-18), 2010 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jfstn.v6i0.8255

Cloning and recombinant expression of a cellulase from the cellulolytic strain Streptomyces sp. G12 isolated from compost

BackgroundThe use of lignocellulosic materials for second generation ethanol production would give several advantages such as minimizing the conflict between land use for food and fuel production, providing less expensive raw materials than conventional agricultural feedstock, allowing lower greenhouse gas emissions than those of first generation ethanol. However, cellulosic biofuels are not produced at a competitive level yet, mainly because of the high production costs of the cellulolytic enzymes. Therefore, this study was aimed at discovering new cellulolytic microorganisms and enzymes.ResultsDifferent bacteria isolated from raw composting materials obtained from vegetable processing industry wastes were screened for their cellulolytic activity on solid medium containing carboxymethylcellulose. Four strains belonging to the actinomycetes group were selected on the basis of their phenotypic traits and cellulolytic activity on solid medium containing carboxymethylcellulose. The strain showing the highest cellulolytic activity was identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as belonging to Streptomyces genus and it was designated as Streptomyces sp. strain G12. Investigating the enzymes responsible for cellulase activity produced by Streptomyces G12 by proteomic analyses, two endoglucanases were identified. Gene coding for one of these enzymes, named CelStrep, was cloned and sequenced. Molecular analysis showed that the celstrep gene has an open reading frame encoding a protein of 379 amino acid residues, including a signal peptide of 37 amino acid residues. Comparison of deduced aminoacidic sequence to the other cellulases indicated that the enzyme CelStrep can be classified as a family 12 glycoside hydrolase. Heterologous recombinant expression of CelStrep was carried out in Escherichia coli, and the active recombinant enzyme was purified from culture supernatant and characterized. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of carboxymethylcellulose following a Michaelis–Menten kinetics with a KM of 9.13 mg/ml and a vmax of 3469 μM min-1. The enzyme exhibits a half life of around 24 h and 96 h at 60°C and 50°C, respectively and shows a retention of around 80% of activity after 96 h at 40°C.ConclusionsIn this manuscript, we describe the isolation of a new cellulolytic strain, Streptomyces sp. G12, from industrial waste based compost, the identification of the enzymes putatively responsible for its cellulolytic activity, the cloning and the recombinant expression of the gene coding for the Streptomyces sp. G12 cellulase CelStrep, that was characterized showing to exhibit a relevant thermoresistance increasing its potential for cellulose conversion.

A real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR technique for detection and quantification of viable Alternaria spp. in foodstuffs

A real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) technique was developed for the rapid and specific detection and enumeration of viable Alternaria spp. in foodstuffs. The method uses Alernaria-specific primers and probe targeting the internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2 of the rRNA gene. The detection limit of the real-time RT-PCR assay to detect viable Alternaria spp. in food samples was 1 CFU/g. The estimated Alternaria counts obtained by real-time RT-PCR showed a good correlation (R2 = 0.9881, P < 0.01) in the range of 1–105 CFU/mL with the Alternaria counts obtained by culture methods. The applicability of the real-time RT-PCR protocol was assessed through analysis of 110 commercial food samples, including 60 fresh fruit and vegetable samples and 50 processed foodstuffs. The assay developed provides a useful tool for early detection of low concentrations of viable Alternaria spp. in naturally contaminated food samples, and could be applied as a quality and biosecurity marker of raw materials and final products in the fruits and vegetables processing industries.

ITS-based detection and quantification of Alternaria spp. in raw and processed vegetables by real-time quantitative PCR

A TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed for specific detection of Alternaria spp. in foodstuffs. The method uses Alternaria-specific primers and probe targeting the internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2 of the rRNA gene, and a positive amplification control based on 18S rRNA gene. The applicability of the real-time PCR protocol was assessed through analysis of 190 commercial food samples, including 80 fresh fruit and vegetable samples and 110 processed foodstuffs. The assay demonstrated the presence of Alternaria spp. DNA in 46 out of the 80 raw samples (57.5%) and in 66 out of the 110 processed samples (60%), enabling quantitative detection of Alternaria spp. DNA at levels as low as 1 CFU/g. The estimated Alternaria counts obtained by real-time PCR showed a good relationship (R2 = 0.9006, P < 0.01) with the Alternaria counts obtained by plating on Potato Carrot Agar (PCA). The developed real-time PCR assay provides a useful tool for early detection of Alternaria spp. and could be applied as a quality and biosecurity marker of raw materials and final products in the fruits and vegetables processing industries.

Inactivation, morphology, interior structure and enzymatic activity of high pressure CO2-treated Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) was subjected to high pressure CO2 (HPCD), the inactivation, morphology, interior structure and enzymatic activity of the HPCD-treated S. cerevisiae cells were investigated. The pressures were 10–30 MPa, temperatures were 25–35 °C and treatment times were 5–120 min. The inactivation curves were characterized with the lag phase, exponential phase and tailing phase, and were well modeled by the modified Gompertz equation. At 10 MPa and 35 °C for 30, 75 and 120 min, changes in morphology, interior structure and enzymatic activity of the HPCD-treated cells were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), flow cytometer (FCM), fluorospectrophotometer (FSM) and an APIZYM kit. The HPCD-treated cells for 30 and 75 min showed no change, and only a small fraction of cells for 120 min was damaged with wrinkles and debris as shown by SEM. The density of the cytoplasm of the cells for 30 and 75 min showed reduction and a small fraction of the cells for 120 min was destroyed as shown by TEM. These results indicated that the HPCD-treated cells with seemingly intact morphology sustained damage in their interior structure. With increasing the treatment time, the membrane permeability of the cells using FCM increased and their membrane fluidity using FSM reduced. The percentage of the permeabilized cells was higher than the inactivation rate in the lag phase, demonstrating that some permeabilized cells were alive, but they paralleled in the exponential phase and tailing phase, indicating that all permeabilized cells were dead. In addition, HPCD selectively inactivated microbial enzymes. Industrial relevance Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of spoilage microorganisms, and it grows in a slightly acid environment and results in the deterioration of fruit-based products during storage and on the shelf. Considering heat treatment may destroy some heat-sensitive quality of the products, in this study, available data are provided for the application and evaluation of high pressure CO2 as a novel non-thermal pasteurization in the fruit and vegetable juice processing industry.

Use of lysozyme as an indicator of protein cross-contact in fresh-cut vegetables via wash waters

To evaluate risks linked to cross-contact of allergenic proteins in food production sites via carry-over, it is necessary to gain more insight in the behavior of proteins during processing. A typical case example of cross-contact is related to the re-use of wash water in the fresh-cut vegetable processing industry. In this study, the carry-over of allergenic proteins via wash water was quantified by applying an allergen-indicator, lysozyme. The adsorption of the allergen to the fresh-cut vegetables could be characterized by a Langmuir adsorption isotherm. From the adsorption characteristics, it was observed that the carry-over was significantly stronger on carrots compared to lettuce and leek. This was moreover observed from the mass balance which illustrated that the total amount of lysozyme transferred from the wash water to the fresh-cut vegetables was in average 77.4, 25.1 and 22.2% for respectively carrots, lettuce and leek. From a deterministic risk assessment, it could be concluded that allergenic proteins can be transferred via wash water to fresh-cut vegetables in the next production batch in such quantities that they pose a risk towards allergic consumers. The proposed methodology enables the food industry to validate designed preventive measures in the framework of their allergen management.

Emergy analysis of vegetable ecosystem in Pei County, Jiangsu Province

能值分析理论是基于“任何形式的能量都来源于太阳”这一前提, 因此可将不同种类、不可比较的能量转换为同一标准, 即太阳能焦耳来进行比较。本研究应用生态系统能值分析理论与方法, 以江苏省蔬菜主产区之一的沛县为例, 采用一系列能值指标, 定量分析了该县蔬菜生态系统的环境资源基础和经济特征, 为合理开发沛县蔬菜资源, 实现沛县蔬菜可持续发展提供科学依据。结果表明: 2007 年沛县蔬菜生态系统能值投入为1.22×10²¹ sej, 其中工业辅助能为7.18×10²⁰ sej, 占58.85%, 说明沛县蔬菜产业发展主要依靠工业辅助能,已走出传统农业靠自然条件发展的阶段。沛县蔬菜生态系统能值产出为3.20×1021 sej, 占农业总产出能值的39.65%, 说明蔬菜产业已成为沛县农业的重要支柱产业之一；其中, 茄果类和根茎类蔬菜能值产出较高, 分别占蔬菜能值产出的35.63%和23.63%, 而特种创汇蔬菜牛蒡和山药为蔬菜能值总产出的18.61%。沛县蔬菜生态系统能值自给率为2.67%, 低于江苏省耕地生态系统(10.12%), 说明环境资源已不是蔬菜发展的主要决定因素, 沛县蔬菜生态系统抵抗自然灾害的能力较强; 沛县蔬菜生态系统的工业辅助能值比率为58.85%, 低于江苏省耕地生态系统工业辅助能比率(73.16%); 沛县蔬菜生产的化肥使用量较高, 占工业辅助能的69.42%, 不利于蔬菜产业的可持续发展; 不过沛县生态系统的有机辅助能比率为38.61%, 高于江苏省耕地生态系统有机辅助能比率(16.72%); 沛县蔬菜生态系统的购买能值比率为97.54%, 高于江苏省耕地生态系统购买能值比率(89.88%), 表明沛县蔬菜产业发展几乎完全依赖于来自社会经济系统的购买能值, 而较高的购买能值促进了沛县蔬菜产业的迅速发展；沛县蔬菜生态系统的能值投入率为36.61, 高于江苏省耕地生态系统能值投入率(8.88), 说明沛县蔬菜产业发展迅速; 但净能值产出率仅略高于江苏省耕地生态系统净能值产出率, 可能由于能值产出较高的先进技术推广不够; 沛县蔬菜生态系统环境负荷率为1.43, 低于江苏省耕地生态系统环境负荷率(2.83), 且农药能值投入仅占0.21%, 说明沛县蔬菜产业有较强的可持续发展能力和较大的发展潜力。为促进沛县蔬菜产业综合效益的提高和可持续发展, 应进一步加强蔬菜产业基础设施及蔬菜产品加工业的建设,加大蔬菜产业的科学技术推广力度, 增强沛县蔬菜生态经济系统的产出能力。

Implementation of food safety and quality standards: A case study of vegetable processing industry in Zhejiang, China

Over the last decade great attention has been paid to food safety/quality control due to the increases of food especially pesticide residues related diseases in China. Firms of Chinese vegetable industry have adopted a number of standards that can enhance safety of products. This study uses binomial and ordinal Logistic Regression Models to identify the determinants that influence the adoption behavior and adoption magnitude of food safety/quality standards in Chinese vegetable processing sector. The findings indicate that adoption behavior and adoption intensity are very closely linked to firm's characteristics such as firm size, expected premium, export market, brand name, e-commerce, training frequency and traceability. Moreover, the results suggest that the significance and magnitude of the coefficients associated with the independent variables differ between binomial and ordered logistic models. The results provide policy implications for food safety regulation and promote adoption of standards in Chinese vegetable processing sector.

POLYPHENOLOXIDASE DEACTIVATION IN JUICE FROM “CAMPBELL EARLY” GRAPES BY HEATING UNDER VACUUM PRESSURE

ABSTRACTThe juice of “Campbell Early” grapes was analyzed to assess the effect of heating under low vacuum pressure on the inhibition of polyphenoloxidase (PPO), the enzyme that catalyzes browning reactions in grape juice. Treatment of grapes by heating under low vacuum pressure of 200–600 mmHg significantly inhibited the activity of PPO. Up to 82.15% reduction in the enzyme activity was observed in the grape juice by heating “Campbell Early” grapes at 65C for 20 min under 600 mmHg vacuum pressure. The vacuum heating of grapes also resulted in a significant increase in total phenols and total sugars in the grape juice, which also had improved sensory properties.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSVacuum heating enables us to attain the desired quality attributes during processing of fruits and vegetables at reduced temperature. Our study revealed that it not only deactivated polyphenoloxidase in grape juice but also increased other functional and sensory characteristics. Vacuum heating can be effectively applied in the fruits and vegetables processing industry for prevention of enzymatic browning as an alternate to the use of chemical preservatives and more costly enzyme inactivation techniques such as pulse electric fields.

Ecological modernization and environmental policy reform in Thailand: the case of food processing SMEs

ABSTRACTTo mitigate environmental pollution from a rapidly expanding Thai food processing industry, different options and technologies can be identified. However, actually implementing these environmental improvements within small and medium‐sized agro‐food companies requires governing efforts of a variety of actors. This paper assesses feasible paths towards the ecological modernization of small and medium‐sized agro‐food processing industries in Thailand. A so‐called quartet‐network model is applied to analyze the greening potentials for small and medium‐sized enterprises in three agro‐food sectors in Northern Thailand: fruit and vegetable processing industries, meat processing companies and fruit wine enterprises. Conclusions are drawn on how actors in the networks around these companies could contribute towards a more sustainable development of these companies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Activated sludge nuisances in a vegetable processing wastewater pretreatment plant

In order to decrease the organic load on the downstream domestic wastewater treatment plant, a three stage, fully aerated activated sludge system was established for the pretreatment of a vegetable processing wastewater. The results of the research verified that this design was inappropriate at the given, highly fluctuating wastewater quality. Nitrate formed through nitrification of the pea processing wastewater could not be denitrified, thus rising sludge occurred in the secondary clarifiers. On the other hand, during the corn campaign, severe deterioration of the COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) removal efficiency, as well as the overproduction of extracellular polysaccharides leading to viscous bulking, were caused by the extremely high C/N ratio. In order to efficiently treat the wastewater of the vegetable processing industry, establishment of highly flexible systems with unaerated first stage proves to be necessary.

Ureolytic phosphate precipitation from anaerobic effluents

In this work, the elimination of phosphate from industrial anaerobic effluents was evaluated at lab-scale. For that purpose, the ureolytic method previously developed for the precipitation of Ca(2 + ) from wastewater as calcite was adapted for the precipitation of phosphate as struvite. In the first part of the study, computer simulations using MAPLE and PHREEQC were performed to model phosphate precipitation from wastewater as struvite. The results obtained showed that relative high concentrations of ammonium and magnesium are needed to precipitate phosphate as struvite. The total molar concentrations ratio of Mg(2 + ):PO(4) (3-)-P:NH(4) (+) required to decrease PO(4) (3-)-P concentrations from 20 to 6 mg PO(4) (3-)-P/l at pH 8.4-8.5 was estimated on 4.6:1:8. In the second part of the study, lab-scale experiments with either synthetic wastewater or the anaerobic effluent from a vegetable processing industry were carried out in batch and continuous mode. Overall, the continuous operation at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2.4 h and an added molar concentration [Mg(2 + )]:[PO(4) (3-)-P]:[NH(4) (+)] ratio of 1.6:1:2.3 resulted in a constant pH value in the reactor (around 8.5) and an efficient phosphate removal (>90%) to residual levels of 1-2 mg PO(4) (3-)-P/l. Different operational conditions, such as the initial phosphate concentration, HRT and the use of CaCl(2) or MgO instead of MgCl(2), were analysed and the performance of the reactor was satisfactory under a broad range of them. Yet, overall, optimal results (higher phosphate removal) were obtained with MgCl(2).

Export Behaviour in the Chilean Agribusiness and Food Processing Industry

A B S T R A C T This paper analyzes the export-behavior of Chilean agribusiness and food processing firms and the relative importance of firm-specific and geographic characteristics in this behavior. Using firm level data and regional geographic indicators, a dynamic model was used to study the export decisions and the export intensity of three industries: processing fish, processing fruits and vegetables, and wine production. Results showed that determinants of exporting behavior vary among the three industries, except the effect of sunk costs, which strongly impacts the export decisions of all analyzed industries. This implies that firms with prior export experience will have higher probability of exporting in the future. Foreign ownership positively impacts the export decision of the two processing industries. Thus, firms belonging to these industries that wish to increase the probability of being an exporter should be encouraged to have a partnership with a foreign company or investor. The export intensity is positively influenced by foreign ownership in the fruit and vegetables processing and wine industries. As in the case of the export decision of firms, foreign participation helps increase the scale of exports. In general, firm-specific characteristics significantly impact the export behavior in Chilean agribusiness and processed food industries, while the contribution of geography attributes appears mixed.

Plant Stress Physiology: Opportunities and Challenges for the Food Industry

We review and analyze the possible advantages and disadvantages of plant-stress-related metabolic and structural changes on applications in the fruit and vegetable processing industry. Knowledge of the cellular and tissue transformations that result from environmental conditions or industrial manipulation is a powerful means for food engineers to gain a better understanding of biological systems in order to avoid potential side effects. Our aim is to provide an overview of the understanding and implementation of physiological and biochemical principles in the industrial processing of fruits and vegetables.

Tomato quality evaluation by peak force and NMR spin–spin relaxation time

Throughout the fruit and vegetable processing industries, improving processing efficiency requires the development of in-line sensor technologies. The goal of this study was to determine if there is a basis to develop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor technology based on spin–spin relaxation times to assist in quality sorting of processing tomatoes. The specific objectives were: to determine if firmness is an adequate indicator of maturity, to assess the effect of common defects on fruit firmness and NMR spin–spin relaxation time ( T 2) and to correlate firmness values and T 2 values. The study spanned three processing seasons and evaluated a number of standard processing varieties. To evaluate firmness, whole fruit compression tests were performed; NMR spin–spin relaxation times ( T 2) were determined using a CPMG pulse sequence and mono-exponential fitting. During the first season, a reasonable correlation was found between T 2 and peak force ( R 2 ≥ 0.75) using sound red fruit. Therefore, the study was expanded in 2005 and 2006 to include more processing varieties, maturity levels and common defects. Analysis of variance was performed on the responses, T 2 and peak force. In general, there were statistically significant differences in the mean values of the spin–spin relaxation times at the P = 0.05 level, yet these differences were small in magnitude. In addition correlation between NMR spin–spin relaxation time and fruit firmness in both 2005 and 2006 was poor. Neither of these experimental results supports continued development of an NMR sensor based on spin–spin relaxation time differences for in-line sorting of processing tomatoes.