Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Membrane Maintains Fruit Aroma

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 25 2006 (IPS) - The membranes — very thin “skins” made from different materials, generally plastic polymers — can recover complex aromas and improve the quality of Brazil's agricultural products, say scientists. The membranes, with high thermal and chemical resistance, were used in an innovative process for producing fruit juices, developed by the engineering department at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and winner of the highest prize from the Education Ministry for doctoral theses.

The experiment concentrates the juice at low temperatures and recovers up to 98 percent of the fruit aroma, surpassing methods that use solvents and high temperatures, which reduce taste and fragrance.

“The membranes are used in medications, foods and beverages, desalinization of water and treatment of industrial and domestic runoff, with greater efficiency and lower energy consumption,” said Cristiano Borges, thesis advisor to Claudio Ribeiro, who received the ministry's prize on Nov. 8.