Project: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLIGENT, FLEXIBLE, EFFICIENT AND SAFE PROCESSES FOR THE AGRO-FOOD INDUSTRY BASED ON THE USE OF NEW INTENSIFICATION AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES 2022-2024

The aim of this project by A&J Tecno Innovacions S.L. in conjunction with the Polytechnic University of Valencia and other companies is to research and develop industrial equipment that allows the content of substances potentially harmful to the health of consumers to be reduced and also to develop a system that allows the monitoring of their content. In this way, we seek to improve current food processes so that they are safe, efficient and flexible, and can adapt to new regulations and new consumer trends.

Thanks to the execution of the project, the first sketches have been generated and the prototype has been planned. Numerous tests have been carried out, which have provided valuable information to rethink aspects of the final prototype, and define improvements and optimizations. Adaptations have also been made to the prototype design, such as changing the type of transport system, improvements to the casing and changes to the ultrasonic system given the attenuation of the potato, and future improvements have been proposed such as implementing frequency sweeping systems. The correlation between the acrylamide level and the content of sugars and precursors such as asparagine has been studied. Work has been done to optimize the algorithms, thanks to several tests, in collaboration with AINIA. Finally, a functional prototype has been obtained for acrylamide quantification. Fully functional prototypes have been obtained, which have been verified in pre-industrial tests. The correct operation of the PEF equipment, the ultrasonic washing system, and the NIR inspection system is checked. Finally, tests have been carried out in real facilities (industrial tests), to verify the benefits of applying the technology in a real production process, obtaining very favorable results.

Financial support from the Valencian Innovation Agency (AVI) and the European Union through ERDF funds has been vital for the development of the project.