Project
Title
Methodenentwicklung und technische Unterstützung einer Dekontaminationseinheit für Äpfel mittels heißen Wassers
Acronym
DEKONWA
Start
01.05.2016
End
31.10.2018
Coordinating Institute
Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB)
Coordinator
Partner
Kronen GmbH
Project team ATB
Summary
The production of packaged fruit salads, with apples as main component, involves washing to reduce perishable and human pathogenic microorganisms as good as possible. The peel remained on apple slices involves the risk of microbiological contamination, because germs are naturally located on the product surface. Careful removal of adherent microorganisms is a basic requirement in order to avoid cross-contamination. However, with intensive water washing only 1-2 log steps of microbial reduction can be achieved. Thereby, fungicide and pesticide residues may remain on apple slices. Laboratory-based hot water treatments of fresh fruits showed high activity against most pathogens. The future goal is to decontaminate apples as gently as possible and without chemical use before and during processing. Therefore, a suitable industrial plant and process should be developed. Using a temperature controlled process, microbial spoilage organisms and human pathogens should be maximally reduced and apple durability should be improved. Due to exclusive use of hot water, the new process is suitable for BIO-fresh-cut products as well.
Funding
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)
Funding agency
Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen "Otto von Guericke" e.V. (AiF)
Grant agreement number
F4001902MD5
Funding framework
Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM)