Citrus Debittering With Ultrafiltration/Adsorption Combined Technology

A citrus debittering process combining the technologies of ultrafiltration and adsorption resin has been successfully applied in twelve (12) commercial installations around the world. Figure 1 documents the commercial uses of the combined technology debittering process since 1985. The commercial applications of this process include: — Debittering of Navel orange juice — Reduced bitter grapefruit juice — Quality upgrading of orange pulp wash Paper published with permission.

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Applied to Citrus Processing

Uses of supercritical (SC) fluids in citrus processing in conventional applications such as citrus oil fractionation, lemon oil extraction, and orange juice debittering are reviewed. In a non-conventional application, single strength orange juice was treated with SC CO2. Effect of pressure (7–34 MPa), temperature (35–60°C), and time (15–180 min) on pectinesterase (PE) activity, cloud stability, microorganisms, and sensory attributes were investigated. SC CO2 inactivated PE below thermal inactivation temperatures. (Activation energy at 31 MPa = 97.4 KJ/mole; at atmospheric pressure = 166.6 KJ/mole.) SC treatment did not change pH and °Brix; but stabilized and enhanced cloud and color. Ascorbic acid was better preserved. Sensory evaluations of color and cloudiness of treated juice were better. Flavor, aroma and overall acceptability were not different. Aerobic total plate counts showed that D value of treated juice decreased as pressure increased. D values at 35, 45 and 60°C of SC treated juice at 33.1 MPa were 28, 22.6 and 12.7 min, respectively. Paper published with permission.

TQM: The Quality Imperative

A wide variety of methods, tools, and techniques currently exist to assist companies enhance quality. However, many of them do not bring about substantiative improvement. The reasons are varied but usually begin with a lack of senior executive commitment and leadership. This paper explores the concepts and actions that are needed to change the culture of an organization to one of continuous quality improvement. It provides the outline for successful implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in any corporation. Paper published with permission.

Programmable Logic Controllers

The use of the programmable logic controller has advanced tremendously since its introduction in the late 1960’s. The programmable logic controller, affectionately known as the PLC in today’s industries, was first introduced as an electrical control relay replacer. The purpose of this paper is to assist those who are considering the application of a PLC in their facility to better understand where programmable logic controller technology has advanced to today. Paper published with permission.

Status Update of the Worldwide Citrus Industry

The evolution of the World Citrus Processing industry is reviewed and current citrus production statistics are discussed. The world production of citrus, the Florida citrus outlook, and the Brazilian citrus outlook are reviewed in some detail giving the latest statistics. The production of FCOJ in Brazil is outlined and various innovative technologies that have been introduced by the Brazilian citrus industry are reviewed. Brazil’s introduction of the use of sugarcane bagasse, alcohol production from citrus as well as methods of fruit conveying are discussed in some detail. Changes in citrus juice markets over the last decade have caused new products to be introduced and the trend toward more fresh tasting less processed forms of commercial citrus juice is examined. The current trend towards not-from-concentrate in the United States and Japan is emphasized and analyzed. Finally new technologies such as freeze concentration, membrane concentration, production automation, juice quality enhancement technology, and by-product recovery technology are reviewed and their impact on world consumption patterns is addressed. Paper published with permission.

The Outlook for Electrical Power in Florida

On the surface it appears simple — supply electricity to meet consumer demand. In practice, however, it is a complex juggling act of matching the decisions of millions of consumers of electricity to the energy potential of over 32,000 megawatts of generation — fifth largest in the U.S. Paper published with permission.