WHEN LESS IS BETTER: the importance of deaeration when manufacturing juice, carbonated drinks and water
In the beverage industry, different processes are required to improve the product quality.
Before any other treatment, i.e. carbonation for sparkling beverages or pasteurisation for fruit juices, a first step involving deaeration is highly recommended, if not always necessary.
Prismatech offers a range of deaerators manufactured in different sizes for any space or process requirements.
What is the function of the deaerator?
The deaeration is aimed at reducing the level of dissolved oxygen in the beverage which is treated,
which allow to achieve great results, such as:
- Improved product shelf life
- Improved filling
- No oxidation of ingredients, thus no colour change
- No impairment of flavourings or nutritional characteristics
- Long-lasting carbonation
This treatment is carried out in vacuum conditions performed at a temperature considered to be effective but, more importantly, ideal to avoid damaging the organoleptic properties of the treated beverages.
In some special cases it may be necessary to either add a second stage of vacuum deaeration and /or the so called “gas sparging”, which is the injection of CO2, in addition to or as an alternative to this step whereby the carbon dioxide forces the reduction of oxygen from water or beverages.
During the manufacturing of a beverage, undesired air and gases can be introduced which can compromise the quality of liquids, limiting their shelf life and impoverishing their taste.
CW AND CSD DEAERATION
When preparing carbonated water and carbonated soft drinks, the extraction of the atmospheric air is desirable in order to enable the correct saturation of the drink. Otherwise, the CO2 will be rejected and, consequently, the fizz will disperse rapidly, causing the sparkling water or the drink to go flat sooner.
Moreover, the deaeration combined with the cooling phase helps to reduce foaming during filling, which is very important for saving product wastage.
JUICE DEAERATION
Dissolved oxygen in shelf-stable fruit juices can affect the quality of the product, causing the oxidation of the ingredients during heat treatment, not only changing the look of the finished drink but also potentially the flavour and its integral properties. The longevity can also be compromised where oxygen remains in the final product, with impairment of vitamins, antioxidants and lack of microbial inhibition.
Prismatech’s Deaerators are designed to minimise the loss of product flavourings, taste, and the volatile components when heating for deaeration. In every industrial process for beverage production Prismatech guarantees energy-efficiency and preservation of the drink characteristics for a high-quality product time after time.
