A Multipurpose Fruit and Vegetable Processing System for Advanced Life Support

The following tasks were identified in the proposal: 1) Year 1 (January 1, 2003-December 31, 2003): a. Select varieties of tomatoes and other vegetables suitable for processing; b. Develop conceptual design for the Multipurpose Fruit and Vegetable Processor (MFVP); c. Develop computer-aided simulations of each operation to assist in design; d. Build bench-scale components of the MFVP and conduct preliminary trials for technical feasibility; e. Select optimum design parameters; f. Select membranes for water cleaning and product recovery. 2) Year 2 (January 1, 2004 – December 31, 2004) a. Construct MFVP from components; b. Select membrane systems for concentration of tomato juice; c. Conduct trials with MFVP to determine operational feasibility; d. Determine equivalent system mass (ESM) and other operational variables; e. Conduct optimization trials. 3) Year 3 (January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2005) a. Conduct experimental trials to determine safety, quality, and acceptability of foods processed in MFVP; b. Develop final modifications as indicated from the experimental data; c. Write final project report. To develop a miniaturized fruit and vegetable processor and to evaluate and optimize its performance for Advanced Life Support (ALS). The development of the fruit and vegetable processor represents the first attempt to miniaturize and integrate the array of unit operations required for preparation and processing of fruits and vegetables such as tomato. Additionally, the developers integrate the ESM metric evaluation throughout the development process as the primary project management tool.

The research data on concentrating tomato juice using new generation membranes is valuable for the food industry. Only one Japanese company is currently employing this technique in a food plant located in California. Our data should prove useful for those food processors who are seeking optimization of the process.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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