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Innovations in Agri-Food Plants

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Sustainable Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2024) | Viewed by 17686

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Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resource and Engineering, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Interests: agri-food engineering; agricultural machinery; image analysis; mechanical plants; food plants
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The agri-food industry has undergone a leap forward in technological innovation over the last few decades to improve the product quality and optimize the use of resources. The current requirements of the plant engineering sector aim to use new machines and therefore new plants to increase the production performance, while also considering the need to reduce production waste, aiming to reuse by-products. These objectives are possible by designing new technologies for the production, treatment, and processing of agri-food products, and thanks to the introduction of 4.0 and 5.0 technologies at both the diagnostic and production level. These latter aspects have become very important today, especially following the recent energy crisis that is affecting the entire globe. The study and development of new technologies is also possible thanks to the use of tools such as finite element analysis (FEA) and the application of simulation models in general.

This Special Issue aims to collect papers concerning the application of innovative systems, including reviews, to improve the knowledge in the machine and plant field, mainly with the aim of showing the changes in agri-food machinery and plants in the transition towards eco-sustainable technologies and 4.0 and 5.0 technologies, also with a view to a circular economy.

Prof. Dr. Roberto Romaniello
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • unit operations in agri-food industries
  • emerging food processing technologies
  • innovative plants
  • FEA (finite elements analysis)
  • industry 4.0
  • industry 5.0
  • sustainability
  • by-products recovery
  • circular economy
  • energy saving
  • IoT systems
  • non-destructive analyses
  • remote sensing
  • measurement and control in food processing

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3332 KiB  
Article
Simulation of Different Control Strategies of a Three-Phase Induction Motor Coupled to a Real Decanter Centrifuge for Olive Oil Extraction Focusing on Energy Saving
by Orkhan Mammadov, Giuseppe Altieri, Francesco Genovese, Sabina Laveglia, Attilio Matera, Mahdi Rashvand, Luciano Scarano and Giovanni Carlo Di Renzo
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(15), 6624; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14156624 - 29 Jul 2024
Viewed by 690
Abstract
This study presents the analysis and modeling of the optimal connection between an asynchronous three-phase electrical induction motor and a horizontal centrifuge used in olive oil extraction. The simulation, carried out using the well-established Simscape Electrical by Matlab R2024a, offers the advantage of [...] Read more.
This study presents the analysis and modeling of the optimal connection between an asynchronous three-phase electrical induction motor and a horizontal centrifuge used in olive oil extraction. The simulation, carried out using the well-established Simscape Electrical by Matlab R2024a, offers the advantage of reducing the purchasing cost of the electronic drivers and electric motors to be tested. Different connection cases among the electronic motor driver, the electric motor, and the horizontal centrifuge were examined. The findings indicate that the oversizing of the electric motor is required to increase the machine efficiency and to reduce the overall specific energy consumption; however, the asymptotic behavior of the specific energy consumption, being related to the motor power, places a limit on the motor oversizing. Indeed, raising the motor power reduces the specific energy consumption; however, this effect can be unimportant if considering the higher cost involved in purchasing both the electrical motor and the electronic motor driver. The results show that an overall percentage saving of specific energy consumption of 3.1% and 4.0% can be achieved with a slight (7.5 kW) and a medium (11 kW) oversizing of the electric motor, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Agri-Food Plants)
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19 pages, 5899 KiB  
Article
Effect of Postharvest UVB Irradiation on the Fruit of cv. Dottato (Ficus carica L.)
by Cristiana Giordano, Carla Benelli, Cecilia Faraloni, Daniele Grifoni, Monica Anichini, Francesca Ieri, Laura Traversi, Deborah Beghè and Raffaella Petruccelli
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(24), 13003; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132413003 - 5 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 993
Abstract
Exposing fruits and vegetables to UVB radiation post-harvest is a technique used to modify secondary metabolites and prolong their shelf life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of UVB irradiation on the chemical and physical characteristics of fig [...] Read more.
Exposing fruits and vegetables to UVB radiation post-harvest is a technique used to modify secondary metabolites and prolong their shelf life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of UVB irradiation on the chemical and physical characteristics of fig cv. Dottato fruits. The UVB irradiation was 2.26 Wm−2. Two exposure times were carried out: 10 and 60 min resulting in a UVB dose of 1.4 and 8.1 kJm−2, respectively. In the control, the UVB was eliminated by a polyester film (control −UVB). After treatment, the fig fruits were stored and analyzed at different times until decay. Quality parameters (decay, weight loss, color, chlorophyll, and firmness) and physicochemical parameters (soluble solids content, pH parameters, and titratable acidity) were positively influenced by irradiation. Total and individual sugars increased gradually during the storage period in both the skin and the flesh, with glucose being higher after 10 days in the UVB treated samples. Total carotenoid content increased gradually during the storage period, with a marked increase in the +UVB fruit. The content of total and individual polyphenols was positively influenced by UVB treatment, with the UVB treated samples showing the highest values at both 7 and 10 days. The study showed an increase in by-products in both the skin and the flesh. This research confirms the effectiveness of UVB radiation in improving the nutritional qualities and shelf life of Ficus carica fruits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Agri-Food Plants)
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12 pages, 1656 KiB  
Article
Irrigation Scheduling in Processing Tomato to Save Water: A Smart Approach Combining Plant and Soil Monitoring
by Federica Carucci, Anna Gagliardi, Marcella Michela Giuliani and Giuseppe Gatta
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(13), 7625; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13137625 - 28 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1530
Abstract
The gradual reduction of water reserves for irrigation has become a worldwide concern. To improve the irrigation of processing tomato, we conducted a study to evaluate a system that monitors both plant water status and soil moisture levels (PlaSoMan) compared to an evapotraspirometric [...] Read more.
The gradual reduction of water reserves for irrigation has become a worldwide concern. To improve the irrigation of processing tomato, we conducted a study to evaluate a system that monitors both plant water status and soil moisture levels (PlaSoMan) compared to an evapotraspirometric method (IrriMan) and an empirical farmer’s management (FarMan) in a two-year field trial. The results showed that PlaSoMan saved around 30% and 7.5% of water, with a yield loss of only 10% and 2.5% compared to FarMan and IrriMan, respectively. Thus, PlaSoMan showed satisfactory irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) over the two years. Moreover, IrriMan and PlaSoMan had lower blue water requirement (BWR) values than FarMan. Finally, PlaSoMan reached the highest value of the yield quality indicator, which combined total yield and brix degree. Thus, the new system, which assesses both plant water status and soil moisture levels, appears to be associated with high-quality and water-friendly tomato production representing an efficient solution for areas with limited water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Agri-Food Plants)
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16 pages, 7812 KiB  
Article
Experimental Tests in Production of Ready-to-Drink Primitive Wine with Different Modes of Circulation of the Fermenting Must
by Filippo Catalano, Roberto Romaniello, Michela Orsino, Claudio Perone, Biagio Bianchi and Ferruccio Giametta
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(10), 5941; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13105941 - 11 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1648
Abstract
Energy efficiency is an increasingly important issue in the wine industry worldwide. The focus on quality in wine production has led to increased attention being paid to the product at all stages of processing. The interaction with mechanical components is considered one of [...] Read more.
Energy efficiency is an increasingly important issue in the wine industry worldwide. The focus on quality in wine production has led to increased attention being paid to the product at all stages of processing. The interaction with mechanical components is considered one of the possible critical points in the vinification process, and it becomes fundamental to optimize specific points in the wine production line using the best extraction technique. Therefore, in this work, experimental monitoring of two types of product circulation systems in fermentation was carried out in a winery in Puglia (Italy). In particular, the functional performance and energy consumption of two identical vinification lines were monitored, in which the only variables were two types of circulating systems for the fermenting must: pump-over and pneumatic cap breaking. During the trials, a homogeneous batch of Primitivo grapes was processed, hand-picked and taken to the winery within 1 h of harvesting, where a “ready-to-drink” wine production line was set up. A net quantity of 1000 hL of destemmed grapes was placed in two identical vertical steel tanks. Both wine tanks were monitored and equipped with an automated assembly system and a pneumatic marc breaker. Once both tanks were filled, a first break of the cap was carried out using a pneumatic system in one tank and an automatic pump-over in the other. For the grapes and type of wine studied, the pneumatic system showed better functional performance in terms of vinification speed and energy consumption; on the other hand, the pump-over system performed better in analytical terms. Finally, the results obtained highlight the need for further studies on equipment design to obtain significant benefits in terms of wine production costs while maintaining the quality standards required for “ready-to-drink” wines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Agri-Food Plants)
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21 pages, 1696 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Process Variables for the Sustainable Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Chicory and Fennel By-Products
by Antonietta Baiano, Roberto Romaniello, Ferruccio Giametta and Anna Fiore
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(7), 4191; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13074191 - 25 Mar 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1604
Abstract
The production of minimally processed vegetables generates large amounts of by-products whose concentrations in bioactive compounds is comparable to those of the edible part. The aim of this work was the optimization of sustainable processes for the extraction of phenolic compounds from chicory [...] Read more.
The production of minimally processed vegetables generates large amounts of by-products whose concentrations in bioactive compounds is comparable to those of the edible part. The aim of this work was the optimization of sustainable processes for the extraction of phenolic compounds from chicory and fennel by-products using water as solvent. The results were compared with those obtained through a conventional extraction performed with a 70% ethanol aqueous solution as extraction solvent. The ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extractions (MAE) were established by developing two Box–Behnken designs, respectively, a four-factor, three-level design and a three-factor, three-level design. A quadratic polynomial model was useful in optimizing both the ultrasonic (R2 0.8473 for chicory and R2 0.9208 for fennel) and microwave (R2 0.9145 for chicory and R2 0.7836 for fennel) extraction of bioactive compounds as well as the antioxidant activity of extract (R2 0.8638 for chicory and R2 0.9238 for fennel treated with ultrasounds; R2 0.9796 for chicory and R2 0.7486 for fennel submitted to MAE). The UAE conditions able to maximize the total phenolic concentrations were: 10 g/100 mL, 55 °C, t: 60 min, 72 W for chicory (9.07 mg gallic acid/g dm) and 15 g/100 mL, 45 °C, t: 40 min, 120 W for fennel (6.64 mg gallic acid/g dm). Concerning MAE, the highest phenolic concentrations were obtained applying 7.5 g/100 mL; 2 min; 350 W for chicory (8.23 mg gallic acid/g dm); 7.5 g/100 mL; 3 min; 160 W for fennel (6.73 mg gallic acid/g dm). Compared to conventional solvent extraction, UAE and MAE allowed the obtainment of (a) chicory extracts richer in phenolic compounds (+48% and +34%, respectively), in less time (4-fold and 90-fold reduction, respectively) and (b) fennel, extracts with slightly lower amount of phenolics (−11.7% and −10.5%, respectively) but halving the extraction time (UAE) or reducing it to 60-fold (MAE). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Agri-Food Plants)
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20 pages, 3898 KiB  
Article
Influence of Organic Fertilization and Soil Tillage on the Yield and Quality of Cold-Pressed Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] Seed Cake: An Alternative Feed Ingredient
by Foteini Angelopoulou, Ioannis Roussis, Ioanna Kakabouki, Antonios Mavroeidis, Vassilios Triantafyllidis, Dimitrios Beslemes, Chariklia Kosma, Panteleimon Stavropoulos, Eleni Tsiplakou and Dimitrios Bilalis
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(6), 3759; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063759 - 15 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1832
Abstract
Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] oilseed cake has been identified as an alternative protein feedstuff and as a valuable feed resource. Moreover, over the last decades, there has been an increased interest in the organic production of feed supplements. A 2-year field [...] Read more.
Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] oilseed cake has been identified as an alternative protein feedstuff and as a valuable feed resource. Moreover, over the last decades, there has been an increased interest in the organic production of feed supplements. A 2-year field experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three replications, two main plots (conventional tillage: moldboard ploughing at 25 cm followed by rotary hoeing at 10–15 cm, and minimum tillage: chiseling at 25 cm depth followed by rotary hoeing at 10–15 cm), and three sub-plots (organic fertilization type: untreated, vermicompost, and compost) to evaluate the fertilization and tillage system effect on the yield and quality of cold-pressed camelina seed cake. Seed yield and cake yield were only affected by organic fertilization, with the highest values observed in the compost treatment. Crude protein was influenced by both factors examined, and the greatest content was found under conventional tillage and compost application. As for the fatty acid composition of oilseed cake, this can be characterized as a major source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (~52% of total FAs), particularly linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, which were only affected by fertilization, with the highest values found after compost application. To conclude, the cold-pressed cake from camelina seed cultivated under compost fertilization and conventional tillage appears to be an effective alternative to conventionally used protein feed ingredients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Agri-Food Plants)
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14 pages, 3409 KiB  
Article
Experimental Research on Unit Operation for Fruit Crops’ Bones Calibration
by Larysa Bondarenko, Serhii Halko, Oleksandr Matsulevych, Illia Tetervak, Oleksandr Vershkov, Oleksandr Miroshnyk, Vitalii Nitsenko and Valerii Havrysh
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010021 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1838
Abstract
The article presents the results of the implementation of the mathematical planning of the experiment to determine the optimal parameters of the calibration process of cherry, sweet cherry, cherry plum, apricot and almond seeds. The essence of this process is the separation of [...] Read more.
The article presents the results of the implementation of the mathematical planning of the experiment to determine the optimal parameters of the calibration process of cherry, sweet cherry, cherry plum, apricot and almond seeds. The essence of this process is the separation of seeds (bones) of fruit crops into fractions homogenous in size in order to highlight the middle fraction, which is about 80% of the total number of bones. The bones of the middle fraction are of the highest quality and are most suitable for sowing. The shape of the bones was evaluated by three parameters: length, width, and height. Calibration was performed according to the width of the bone. To carry out experimental studies, a calibration device was developed, the working body of which is the sieve part. Ball cleaners were used to prevent clogging of the perforated sieve. A mathematical theory of experimental planning was used. The criterion of optimization for all fruit crops was taken as an indicator of the quality of bone division into homogeneous fractions. The functional dependence of this indicator on the frequency and amplitude of oscillations of the grating part of the calibration unit, as well as on the angle of inclination of the sieves, was investigated. To implement the experimental data, we used a rotatable Boks plan of the second order. Regression models of the cherry, sweet cherry, cherry plum, apricot, and almond calibration process were obtained. Adequacy of the models was assessed by Fisher’s criterion. As a result, the optimal operating parameters of the installation were determined. This ensures the qualitative separation of the bones of fruit crops into homogeneous fractions with a mass deviation of up to 7%. An assessment of the quality of work of ball sieve cleaners was carried out. To do this, we used the coefficient of efficiency of the live cross-section. With the optimal parameters of the installation, the value of this coefficient of the unit for all fruit crops is within 0.87 to 0.95. This indicates that the calibration process is of high quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Agri-Food Plants)
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12 pages, 523 KiB  
Article
A Low-Temperature and Low-Pressure Distillation Plant for Dairy Wastewater
by Giuseppe Altieri, Vincenzo De Luca, Francesco Genovese, Attilio Matera, Luciano Scarano and Giovanni Carlo Di Renzo
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11465; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122211465 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1622
Abstract
The paper investigates an alternative treatment plant for the typical wastewater effluent of a cheese-making industry, mainly composed of acid or sweet whey mixed with washing-water. Two variable parameters have been considered during the tests: four treatment temperatures (39, 46, 53 and 60 [...] Read more.
The paper investigates an alternative treatment plant for the typical wastewater effluent of a cheese-making industry, mainly composed of acid or sweet whey mixed with washing-water. Two variable parameters have been considered during the tests: four treatment temperatures (39, 46, 53 and 60 °C) and three solid content values (30%, 50% and 70%) of the concentrated product. The minimum and maximum values of the removal efficiency (pollutant amount into concentrate related to raw whey) range from 94.6% to 97.7% for conductivity, from 98.3% to 99.5% for BOD5, from 98.7% to 99.6% for COD and from 98.2% to 99.3% for Total Nitrogen. The plant capacity ranges from about 2 L/h (at 39 °C) to 6 L/h (at 60 °C) of processed whey. On the basis of the experimental findings, the proposed purification technology has demonstrated its suitability both to purify the effluent wastewater and to recover high-quality products (e.g., whey protein concentrate, lactose), thanks to its low thermal damage on the treated product and to its relatively low energy consumption from 0.4 kWh/L (at 60 °C) to 1.0 kWh/L (at 39 °C) of processed whey, with a Coefficient of Performance from approximately 0.6 up to 1.5. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Agri-Food Plants)
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15 pages, 2742 KiB  
Article
Setting Temperature and Humidity with a Misting System in a Pilot Greenhouse at Cisauk-Tangerang, Indonesia
by Rudy Eduard, Wegie Ruslan, Isdaryanto Iskandar and Djoko Setyanto
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(18), 9192; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12189192 - 14 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4559
Abstract
A modern agricultural method of cultivating mustard greens and watercress with a hydroponic system in a pilot greenhouse has been implemented by a group of farmers in Cisauk-Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia. The characteristic tropical climate south of the equator causes high temperatures and humidity [...] Read more.
A modern agricultural method of cultivating mustard greens and watercress with a hydroponic system in a pilot greenhouse has been implemented by a group of farmers in Cisauk-Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia. The characteristic tropical climate south of the equator causes high temperatures and humidity in the greenhouse. This study aims to control the temperature and humidity in the greenhouse using the misting method so that the temperature and humidity are not more than 33 °C and 85%, respectively. A misting system designed by the main equipment consists of a water flow control pump, temperature and humidity sensors, water mist spray nozzles, and water flow settings for intermittent drizzle for five minutes ON and ten minutes OFF using the internet of things module program. In addition to setting the water discharge intermittently, another limitation for the pump to be OFF is a minimum temperature benchmark of 28 °C and a maximum humidity of 85%. The temperature does not exceed 33 °C, and the humidity setting of 85% is obtained by adjusting the mass flow of water during the day according to the time sequence from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. using 50 L/h, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. using 60 L/h, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. using 100 L/h, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. using 120 L/h, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. using 80 L/h, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. using 60 L/h, and 3 p.m. and after using 0 L/h or the misting system is turned off. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Agri-Food Plants)
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