Fresh fruit must render a fresh look

APPLICATION

Preserving fruits with a wax coating

Fruits engaged in a long journey are best protected with a thin organic film.

Updated Jun 03, 2022 - 10 min Read

BASE

Core products

The fruits with smooth surfaces are prone to mould growth: apples, citrus, and mangoes.

RECIPE

Ingredients

The coating ingredient is generally an emulsion.

  • Water
  • Wax
  • Surfactant to lower the surface tension
  • An additional substance with antioxidant properties.

RECIPE

Ingredients

The coating ingredient is generally an emulsion.

  • Water
  • Wax
  • Surfactant to lower the surface tension
  • An additional substance with antioxidant properties.

PROCESS

How does it work?

Upstream. The fruits are cleaned of dust, which may hinder the coating process, and washed.

Process. The whole fruit surface must be in contact with the emulsion. Partial tipping and tumbling enhance the dispersion.

Downstream. The fruits are drained of the excess emulsion and partially dried by air blowing.

Step 1.

Fruit positioning on a single layer.

Step 2.

Emulsion spraying.

Step 3.

Blowing with air knife (emulsion removal).

PROCESS

Coating system

Upstream: The sausage mix is prepared in a vat, mixer, and mincer machines.

The coating occurs in a former sausage adapted with a coextrusion head or device to apply a film all around the core shape.

Downstream: After coating, the product is partially dried to give it a firm texture.

PROCESS

Coating system

Typically, the fruits are continuously run on a conveyor.

PRODUCT EVALUATION

How do you measure your success?

Key quality features

The fruit should display its freshness.

Homogeneity

the fruit coating holds onto the surface.

Integrity

No damaged surface, no dent.

Key quality parameters

The process is relatively straightforward and consists mainly of flow management: fruit and emulsion.

Composition

The rheology of the emulsion adapts to the surface type.

Productivity

Given the enormous volume of the fruits themselves and the quantity to process, the design of the handling system is essential.

Recycling

As a large volume of emulsion is recovered, it needs filtering to be reused.