MSC NewsWire

Founded by Max Farndale 1947 - 2018
Wednesday, 18 May 2022 18:37
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Pricing
    • Global Presswire
    • Industry Organisations
  • News Sectors
    • Headlines Through Today
    • Environmental Talk
    • Out of The Beehive
    • Primary Sector Talk
    • Reporters Desk
    • The MSC NewsReel
    • MSCNetwork
    • FinTech Talk
    • The FactoryFloor Newsreel
    • Trade Talk
    • News Talk
    • Industry Talk
    • Technology Talk
    • Blockchain
    • Highlighted
    • The TravelDesk
      • TravelMedia
      • Sporting Tours
      • Holidays Tours Events + More
      • Airfares
      • Travel Enquiry Form
      • TravelBits
    • Travel Updates
    • The MSC TravelDesk Newsreel
    • Travel Talk
    • Travel Time
    • The Bottom Line
    • Regional News
    • News to Run Advice Form
    • World News
    • NewsDIRECT
    • MSCVoxPops
    • Press Releases
  • National Press Club
  • Contact Us

Pulsed Electric Field technology gives new potential for New Zealand food processing

  • font size decrease font size decrease font size increase font size increase font size
  • Print
  • Email
Pulsed Electric Field technology gives new potential for New Zealand food processing

University of Otago researchers are demonstrating the potential of a new technology which could see New Zealand production of a popular food – the French fry – become healthier, and less costly and wasteful.

Recently arrived Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) processing equipment will be put to test for large scale French fry production over the next three months.

This technology, which uses brief pulses of electricity (microseconds) to modify and disrupt the membranes of cells in plant or animal material or microorganisms, has a wide variety of applications across many food processing industries.

The electric field being pulsed through un-cut potatoes during processing alters their microstructure, which results in a more controlled release of sugar, more uniform colouration and reduced oil uptake. It also enhances processing as the softer texture makes the potatoes easier to cut, meaning there is less waste, the ability to develop new shapes (e.g. lattice cut) and increased knife durability (up to 60 per cent).

As Pulsed Electric Field processing affects the cell membrane it can be used to enhance the extraction of pigments or bioactive compounds from food, increasing their yield and quality or to kill micro-organisms as alternative to the pasteurisation of bulk liquids, such as fruit juices and milk.

The industry pilot programme is part of a Ministry for Business and Innovation funded Food Industry Enabling Technology (FIET) programme worth nearly NZ$16.8M, over a six-year period (2015-2021). There are six institutions involved in the programme: Massey University (host), the University of Otago, the University of Auckland, Plant & Food Research, AgResearch and the Riddet Institute. The University of Otago leads the research and industry implementation of PEF technology.

“With the equipment now in New Zealand we are excited to begin the industrial trial with the hope of proving the techniques, and in time enabling New Zealand food industries to benefit from this new technology,” says University of Otago Professor Indrawati Oey, Head of Otago’s Department of Food Science and the PEF project leader.

“PEF also has potential to enhance the quality and value of many other NZ agricultural and horticultural products,” adds Professor Oey.

This three-month industry trial is supported by Potatoes New Zealand and is in collaboration between Elea (Germany) and the University of Otago.

  • Source: Otago University
Published in TECHNOLOGY
Tagged under
  • technology
  • mscvoxpops
  • news talk
  • the msc newsreel

Related items

  • Sir Bill English to be honoured by Victoria University of Wellington
  • Higher bank capital better for banking system and NZ
  • Plastics industry helps designers create easy-to-recycle packaging
  • Great Barrier unhappy with Auckland’s marine sludge plan
  • XE Update Friday 30 November, 2018
More in this category: « Award winning Pham – NZ leader in world class tech sector 100TechWomen project launching this month »
back to top
Nov 30, 2018

Canada: the ideal North American launchpad for your tech business

in BUSINESS
Sep 07, 2018

Three regions head of the pack for Red Meat Profit Partnership Action Network registrations

in AGRICULTURE
Nov 09, 2018

Unleashing NZ companies at Singapore Fintech Week 2018

in FINANCIAL
Jul 13, 2018

Acuris system's robot to bring data to kiwifruit orchards

in HORTICULTURE
Mar 23, 2018

T&G Global confirms sale of processed foods business

in BUSINESS
Aug 29, 2018

Electric cars heat tested

in AUTOMOTIVE
Nov 26, 2018

New cycling education system starts pedalling today

in TRANSPORT
Oct 10, 2018

JustSpeak launches exhibition on stories of the criminal justice system

in EVENTS

MSC NewsWire is a gathering place for information on the productive sector in New Zealand focusing on Manufacturing, Productive Engineering and Process Manufacturing

  • Home
  • Global Presswire
  • Industry Organisations
  • National Press Club
  • Disclaimer
  • About Us
  • Pricing
  • Sitemap
Copyright © 2022 MSC NewsWire. All Rights Reserved.
Site Built & Hosted by iSystems Limited
Top
Home