High-quality tomato pulp powder using an efficient drying process.

Powder production is a way to increase the stability of a product, mainly suitable for natural material, such as tomato pulp with a high-water content. Bacterial growth and the tend to rot is highly undesired and lead to increased food waste. Additionally, the export and the handling in the industry are improved and more efficient for powdered products. Unfortunately, food quality suffers from this treatment, as flavor, aroma, appearance and nutrient value are decreased in dry products. Manufacturers are looking for drying treatments that are gentler with lower energy requirements. The method of the inert gas injection into the material is well known, as the drying rate is increased with the creation of a foamed structure (see Figure 1, page 2). It results in a reduced drying time and an improved quality of the dried product due to less thermal degradation. Creating a stable foam is a major challenge for the food industry, the problem being solved by the use of emulsifiers, although they are not desired by the costumer. Additionally, foaming is often a very harsh treatment and not suitable for sensitive material such as flavors or proteins. Kinematica provides with the MT-MM the technology and a proven solution for these kinds of issues.