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Collaborative project: Development of an innovative technique to increase microbial security of prepacked salads by monitoring and disinfection of the washing water. Subproject 1 (SiMoHyP)

Project


Project code: 2819105615
Contract period: 01.02.2017 - 31.01.2019
Budget: 292,271 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research

Processing of packaged convenience salads includes cleaning, cutting, washing, drying and packaging. Products are generally washed in a 2-stage process: in the first step, coarse pollutions are removed while the second step is the post-wash. Even intensive washing results only in a reduction of microorganisms by 1-2 log. Recycling of wash water to reduce water consumption also carries the risk of cross-contamination. The aim of the project is to develop an innovative method for disinfection of process water for fresh-cut ready-to-eat salads, which allows recycling of the treated, microbiological and food unobjectionable water in the washing process in order to increase the microbiological safety in the process and significantly reduce fresh water consumption. At redox potentials above 650-700 mV bacteria are killed within seconds. This fact should be used to achieve maximum reduction of microbial spoilage organisms as well as human pathogens and to improve the shelf life of products. It is planned to develop a flow through single-chamber electrolysis cell that requires no additives and which can be integrated into existing salad washing machines. The developed cell should have an integrated control unit in order to sanitize the washing water in time according to the individual demand. Microbiological and chemical data shall be collected in laboratory and industrial experiments as a basis of the control (of the cell). The treatment success of the new development is determined by test series at the industrial partner. It is subject to evaluation. aquagroup will develop a flow-through-single-chamber electrolysis cell to optimize the wash water in salad washing machines that requires no additives. The cell will sanitize the washing water in time via a control unit and allow circulation. Microbiological and chemical data necessary for the control will be gathered in industrial and laboratory tests. An analysis of the current water consumption, microbial and chemical contamination of wash water and products will be made at Havita. The efficacy on relevant microorganisms will be determined and disruptive factors identified in laboratory experiments. Both sets of data are the basis for the design of the industrial cell and the development of the control unit. Kronen develops a robust, low-cleaning system to remove organic particles from the process water. The system components are combined in a washing system and tested at Havita, evaluated and if necessary optimized.

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