KR20120007741A - Method for washing citrus fruits - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A citrus washing method having excellent washing efficiency is provided to improve the productivity of washed citrus, and to reduce the number of remaining microorganisms. CONSTITUTION: A citrus washing method comprises the following steps: dipping harvested citruses in acidic water for 8-12 minutes(S110); mounting the citruses on a rotating roller installed on a revolving chain forming a closed loop, and spraying washing water to the citruses for washing(S120); and mounting the citruses on the rotating roller, and spraying air to the citruses for dehydrating and drying(S130). The acidic water has the pH of 2.68-3.00, and the oxidation-reduction potential of 1,000-1,100mV.

Description

Citrus Washing Method {METHOD FOR WASHING CITRUS FRUITS}

The present invention relates to a method of washing citrus fruits having a relatively thick peel, such as citron, orange, citrus, and the like.

Conventionally, after harvesting citrus fruits, the worker washes with tap water. Due to this, there are relatively many microorganisms and residual pesticides remaining, which has the disadvantage of lowering the washing rate and productivity.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a citrus washing method that can improve the washing rate and productivity.

Citrus fruit washing method according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the step of immersing the harvested citrus fruits in acidic water; A washing step of mounting the citrus fruits immersed in acidic water on a rotating roller rotatably installed in a rotating chain rotating in a closed loop, and spraying and washing the washing water while transferring the citrus fruits; After mounting the washed citrus fruits on the rotating roller rotatably installed on the rotating chain, the step of dehydration and drying by spraying air while transporting.

Citrus fruit washing method according to the present invention, after immersing the citrus fruits in acidic water, mounted on a rotating chain and transported, the washing by spraying the washing water from the rotating row. Due to this, the number of microorganisms remaining in the citrus fruits is very small, and the removal rate of the residual pesticides is excellent, so the cleaning rate is excellent.

And since it washes automatically, productivity improves.

1 is a perspective view of a washing apparatus used in the washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of part of the conveying part and the cleaning part shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a citrus washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4a to 4c is a view showing the appearance of the citrus fruits washed by the citrus washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a citrus fruit washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Citrus fruits will be described below using citron as an example.

A washing apparatus used in a washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

1 is a perspective view of a washing apparatus used in the washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the transfer unit and the washing unit shown in FIG.

As shown, the washing apparatus is installed on the frame 110, the frame 110, the transfer unit 120 for transporting the citron, the frame 110 is installed in the frame 110 to spray the washing water to the transfer unit 120 to wash the citron Installed on the washing unit 130 and the frame 110 and has a dehydration / drying unit 140 for dehydrating and drying the washed citron.

The transfer unit 120 is coupled to the pair of rotation chains 123 and the rotation chain 123 rotated by the drive motor 121 and the drive motor 121 at regular intervals to move together with the rotation chain 123. Supported by a plurality of support bar 125 and the support bar 125 and has a rotating roller 127, respectively installed rotatably around the support bar (125).

The rotating chain 123 is installed to form a closed loop along the longitudinal direction of the frame 110 and rotates by a gear 121a that is rotated by the driving motor 121.

Both ends of the support bar 125 are supported by the rotation chain 123 and are installed to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the frame 110. To this end, both ends of the support bar 125 are inserted into the support groove 123a formed in the rotation chain 123, and the support bar 125 is elastically supported in the longitudinal direction of the frame 110 in the support groove 123a. An elastic member 126 such as a spring is installed.

Rotating roller 127 is formed to be inclined in the form that the outer diameter gradually decreases from both end side to the center portion side, the citron is inserted and supported in the interval between the rotary roller 127 and the rotating roller 127 adjacent to each other. Since the rotary roller 127 rotates around the support bar 125, the citron is rotated by the rotation of the rotary roller 127. Since the citron is rotated, the entire surface of the citron is uniformly washed by the washing water sprayed from the washing unit 130 to be described later.

And, since the support bar 125 is installed to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the frame 110, the interval between the rotating roller 127 and the rotating roller 127 adjacent to each other changes. Therefore, it is possible to mount and support citrons of various sizes.

The washing unit 130 is installed above the transfer unit 120 to spray the washing water.

The washing unit 130 includes a washing water inlet pipe 131, a rotating tube 133, and a nozzle 135.

The washing water inlet pipe 131 is installed in the frame 110 while being perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying part 120, and the washing water of high pressure flows into the upper side.

Rotating tube 133 is connected to the lower side and one side of the washing water inlet pipe 131 and is provided in a plurality of radially parallel to the radial direction of the washing water inlet pipe 131. The rotary tube 133 is rotatably installed on the basis of the washing water inlet tube 131.

The nozzle 135 has a horizontal pipe 135a and a bending pipe 135b. One side of the horizontal tube (135a) is in communication with the other side of the rotary tube 133, the bending tube (135b) is formed to bend from the other side of the horizontal tube (135a) to the rotating roller 127 to spray the washing water to the oil.

At this time, the bending pipe 135b of each nozzle 135 is formed to be inclined in the same direction with respect to an imaginary vertical line parallel to the washing water inflow pipe 131, and rotates by rotating the angle of the washing water sprayed into the rotating pipe 133. Rotate).

The configuration of the dehydration / drying unit 140 is the same as the configuration of the washing unit 130, and sprays air instead of washing water.

Citrus fruit washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a citrus washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, in step (S110), the harvested citron is 8 to 12 minutes in acidic water of Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) 1000-1100 mV, pH 2.68-3.00, concentration 100-110 ppm. Immerse.

Then, in step (S120) while the citron is mounted on the rotating roller 127 rotatably installed on the rotating chain 123, and transported, the washing water is sprayed and washed. At this time, the conveying speed of the rotating chain 123 is 2.76 ~ 5.52m / min, the rotational speed of the nozzle 135 is preferably 40 ~ 70rpm, the injection pressure of the washing water is 8-12Mpa. The angle of the bending pipe 135b of the nozzle 135 with respect to the imaginary vertical line is 55 ° to 65 °, the distance from the bending pipe 135b to the citron is 4 to 6 cm, and the washing time is 30 to 45 sec. Do.

Finally, in step S120, the air is sprayed into the washed citron to be dehydrated and dried. At this time, the distance from the bending pipe (not shown) of the nozzle (not shown) of the dehydration / drying unit to the citron is 9 ~ 11cm, the time for injecting air is preferably 85 ~ 95sec.

An experimental example of the citron washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Microbial reduction effect

To test the effect of reducing the microorganism, the citron was immersed in E. coli culture for 10 minutes and dried for 2 hours at room temperature to use as a sample.

Then, peel the citron peel into a sterile pack, add 10 times sterile 0.85% saline solution to the skin, homogenize with stomacher for 1 minute, take 1 mL of each sample solution, and stepwise with 9 mL of sterile 0.85% saline solution. After dilution, put 1 mL in Petri dishes and experimented by pouring method.

Chromatographic agar (Merck, germany) was used as a medium, and after incubation at 37 ° C. for 24 hours, the colony number was measured and expressed as colony forming unit (cfu / g).

Remaining microbial unit: (log cfu / g) first Conventional Example 6.16 5.77 2.62

As shown in Table 1, the microorganism of the first sample is 6.16 log cfu / g, the microorganism is 5.77 cfu / g when washed with the conventional method of tap water.

However, the average amount of microorganisms remaining when the samples were washed in various washing conditions according to the present embodiment was 2.62 log cfu / g, which was 3.15 log cfu / g further reduced compared to the conventional method.

Residual Pesticide Removal Rate

Residual pesticides were analyzed by food processing method.

Residual pesticides to be investigated are pesticides set in the Residual Acceptance Standards of the Korean Food Hygiene Act, chloropyrifos, prothiofos, spirodichlofen, deltamethrin, benomyl. thiophanate-methyl and acequinocyl.

In addition, since the residual amount of pesticide is a small amount of detection, it is difficult to accurately identify the reduction effect by washing. Because of this, the samples were artificially immersed in a pesticide solution. In other words, the tangerine was immersed in the diluted pesticide solution for 10 minutes, dried for 3 hours and left at low temperature for 24 hours before being used as a sample.

Residual Pesticide Removal Unit: (%) division Conventional Example Chloropyrifos 24.19 ± 3.33 70.49 ± 4.75 Prothiofos 25.75 ± 1.76 70.83 ± 6.85 Spirodichlofen 28.08 ± 1.79 72.02 ± 5.45 Deltamethrin 40.59 ± 3.92 81.80 ± 1.71 Benomyl 54.99 ± 4.54 97.17 ± 0.22 Thiophanate-methyl 45.52 ± 0.27 98.08 ± 0.42 Acequinocyl 51.66 ± 5.80 82.36 ± 1.89

As shown in Table 2, the average removal rate of the residual pesticides when the samples were washed under various washing conditions according to the present embodiment was 70.49 ± 4.75% for Chloropyrifos, 70.83 ± 6.85% for Prothiofos, and 72.02 ± 5.45% for Spirodichlofen. Deltamethrin is 81.80 ± 1.71%, Benomyl is 97.17 ± 0.22%, Thiophanate-methyl is 98.08 ± 0.42%, and Acequinocyl is 82.36 ± 1.89%.

This is very excellent compared to the residual pesticide removal rate of 24.19 ± 3.33%, 25.75 ± 1.76%, 28.08 ± 1.79%, 40.59 ± 3.92%, 54.99 ± 4.54%, 45.52 ± 0.27% and 51.66 ± 5.80%.

Washing rate

In order to measure the washing rate, the squid ink was applied to citron and the degree of washing was measured. Commercial squid ink powder (squid ink extract powder, edentownfnb) was purchased, diluted 10 times in distilled water, soaked with citron and dried at room temperature for one day, and used as a sample. After washing, the residual amount was washed in 50 mL of distilled water, and the absorbance was measured at 450 nm, and then the wash rate was calculated by comparing the absorbance of the initial sample.

Washing rate according to the present embodiment Washing water
Injection pressure
(Mpa) Nozzle Rotational Speed
(rpm) Rotation Chain Speed (m / min) 2.76 5.52 8.28
6 10 89.59 ± 10.10 49.14 ± 3.14 55.34 ± 2.11 40 91.28 ± 1.24 84.54 ± 10.34 68.48 ± 0.34 70 91.72 ± 3.84 92.92 ± 4.88 79.16 ± 4.05
9 10 90.09 ± 0.10 82.67 ± 1.44 77.22 ± 8.42 40 95.24 ± 0.27 85.50 ± 0.16 87.39 ± 4.41 70 95.25 ± 0.71 87.45 ± 0.06 80.31 ± 0.78
12 10 88.06 ± 0.95 68.63 ± 0.80 80.84 ± 0.40 40 95.88 ± 0.24 84.08 ± 1.73 82.90 ± 5.09 70 97.07 ± 1.47 84.81 ± 0.60 90.05 ± 0.38

As shown in Table 3, the washing water injection pressures were 6, 9 and 12Mpa, respectively, the rotational speeds of the nozzle 135 were 10, 40 and 70rpm, respectively, and the feed rates of the rotating chain 123 were 2.76, 5.52 and 8.28 m, respectively. Various experiments were conducted under the condition of / min.

At this time, when the feed speed of the rotating chain 123 is 2.76 ~ 5.52m / min, the rotation speed of the nozzle 135 is 40 ~ 70rpm, the spray pressure of the washing water is 6Mpa or more, it can be seen that the cleaning rate is high.

Figures 4a to 4c is a view showing the appearance of the citrus washed by the citrus washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, it will be described.

As shown, Figure 4a is a rotational speed of 2.76m / min of the rotating chain 123, the rotational speed of 40rpm of the nozzle 135, the washing water injection pressure of 9Mpa, Figure 4b is a rotating chain ( 123, the rotational speed 2.76m / min, the nozzle 135, the rotational speed 70rpm, washing water jet pressure of 9Mpa to wash the citron, Figure 4c is a rotational speed of the rotating chain 123 2.76m / min, nozzle ( 135) Rotational speed of 70rpm, washing water was sprayed at 12Mpa spray water, it can be seen that the washing rate is excellent in appearance.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Of course.

Claims (6)

Dipping the harvested citrus fruits in acidic water;
A washing step of mounting the citrus fruits immersed in acidic water on a rotating roller rotatably installed in a rotating chain rotating in a closed loop, and then spraying and washing the washing water while being transported;
Mounting the washed citrus fruits on the rotary roller rotatably installed on the rotating chain, and then spraying air while transporting to dehydrate and dry the citrus fruits. The method of claim 1,
The acidic water is Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) 1000-1100 mV, pH 2.68-3.00, concentration 100-110 ppm,
The citrus fruit washing method characterized in that it is immersed in the acidic water for 8 to 12 minutes. The method of claim 2,
Citrus fruit washing method characterized in that the washing water is sprayed from a rotating nozzle. The method of claim 3, wherein
The citrus fruit washing method characterized in that the washing by rotating by the rotating roller. The method of claim 4, wherein
The conveying speed of the rotating chain is 2.76 ~ 5.52m / min, the rotational speed of the nozzle is 40 ~ 70rpm, the injection pressure of the washing water sprayed from the nozzle is 8-12Mpa, the distance from the nozzle to the citrus fruits 4-6cm, Citrus fruit washing method characterized in that the washing time is 30 ~ 45sec. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The air injected during dehydration and drying is injected from a rotating nozzle,
Citrus fruit washing method characterized in that the distance between the nozzle and yuja for dehydration and drying is 9 ~ 11cm, the air injection time is 85 ~ 95sec.

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