Method for producing plated sprouted flax seeds and process line for its implementation

Abstract

FIELD: food industry.SUBSTANCE: method for producing pelleted sprouted flax seeds is proposed, which involves germinating flax seeds using prepared water, stopping the growth of seeds by drying them with hot air, pelleting them with a solution of vegetable glycerine and drying the pelleted seeds. To obtain hot cold flows of heat carriers, a heat pump unit comprising a first circuit and a second circuit is used. A process line for producing pelleted sprouted flax seeds is also proposed.EFFECT: increase in the shelf life of seeds, while preserving 85-90% of Omega-3 acids, vitamins and enzymes.2 cl, 1 dwg

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the food industry and is intended for obtaining functional food ingredients based on sprouted flax seeds with increased nutritional value and an extended shelf life.

[0002] A method for sprouting grain (Patent 2500093, A01C 1 / 02, published December 10, 2013) is known, aimed at optimizing the sprouting process. The disadvantages of this prototype include the lack of a comprehensive solution for processing fragile flax sprouts after sprouting, including stabilization, pelleting, and energy-efficient drying.

[0003] The technical objective of the invention is to preserve the integrity of sprouts, increase the shelf life of the product, preserve biologically active substances (Omega-3, vitamins), as well as the continuity and energy efficiency of the process.

[0004] The set task is achieved in that a method for obtaining pelleted sprouted flax seeds is proposed, characterized in that it provides for the germination of flax seeds using prepared water with a temperature of 20...25°C for 18...24 hours until sprouts of 1-3 mm are obtained, stopping the growth of the sprouted seeds by drying them with hot air at a temperature of 50...60°C for 2...4 minutes in a dense layer, pelleting with a solution of vegetable glycerin with a solution concentration of 2...10% for 5...20 minutes, drying the pelleted seeds in a dense layer at a temperature of 30...45°C for 25...30 minutes, and then cooling the finished product to 15...25°C;wherein a heat pump unit is used to obtain hot and cold flows of heat carriers, in the first circuit of the condenser of which the air flow is heated to a temperature of 30...45°C, and in the second circuit the air flow is heated to a temperature of 50...60°C, which are then used, respectively, in drying the pelleted flax seeds and stopping the growth of the sprouted seeds in a dense layer, while the exhaust air flow from the dense layer of seeds is fed to heat water to a temperature of 20...25°C, used for germinating the flax seeds, and then, together with the exhaust air after drying the pelleted seeds, is sent to a two-section evaporator of the heat pump unit for drying; the flow of dried cold air from the first section of the evaporator with a temperature of 10...15°C is fed to cool the finished product and then for cleaning with the formation of a recirculation circuit, and the second air flow is fed from the second section of the evaporator to the condenser for heating it.

[0005] A process line for implementing a method for producing pelleted sprouted flax seeds, characterized in that it contains a drum germinator, a water heating tank, a belt dryer, a pelletizer, a glycerin solution preparation tank, a dryer, a cyclone filter, a belt cooler, a heat pump unit including a compressor, a dual-circuit condenser, a thermostatic expansion valve and a two-section evaporator.

[0006] The technical result of the invention consists in preserving the integrity of sprouts, increasing the shelf life of the product, preserving biologically active substances (Omega-3, vitamins), as well as the continuity and energy efficiency of the process.

[0007] The proposed technological line for producing pelleted sprouted flax seeds is shown in Fig. 1.

[0008] The line includes a damper 1; a drum sprouter 2; a water regulating valve 3; a water heating tank 4; a belt dryer 5; a storage bin for sprouted flax seeds 6; a pelletizer 7; a glycerin solution preparation tank 8; a bucket elevator 9; a dryer 10; fans 11, 12, 21; a belt cooler 13; a cyclone filter 14; an air flow distributor 15, 22; a two-section evaporator 16; the first circuit of the condenser 17; the second circuit of the condenser 18; a compressor 19 and a thermostatic expansion valve 20.

[0009] The proposed method for producing pelleted sprouted flax seeds is implemented on the line as follows.

[0010] Pre-cleaned and calibrated flax seeds are fed in the required quantity through valve 1 into drum germinator 2, where they are germinated for 18-24 hours until sprouts reach 1-3 mm in length. Prepared water at a temperature of 20-25°C from water heating tank 4 is supplied to drum germinator 2 via water regulating valve 3 in sufficient quantity to complete the germination process and achieve sprouts of 1-3 mm in length.

[0011] To stop the growth of sprouted seeds, they are dried with hot air at a temperature of 50...60°C for 2...4 minutes in a dense layer in a belt dryer 5, and then sent to a storage bin 6. Next, the sprouted flax seeds are portioned into a pelletizer 7, where they are coated (coated) with a solution of vegetable glycerin with a concentration of 2...10% coming from the preparation tank 8 for 5...20 minutes. After this, the bucket elevator 9 sends the pelleted seeds to the dryer 10, where they are dried in a dense layer with air at a temperature of 30...45°C for 25...30 minutes, and then they are sent to the belt cooler 13 to cool the finished product to a temperature of 15...25°C with cold air at a temperature of 10...15°C.

[0012] To produce hot and cold coolant flows, a heat pump unit is used, including a compressor 19, a first circuit 17 and a second circuit 18 of the condenser, a thermostatic expansion valve 20, and a two-section evaporator 16. In the first circuit of the condenser 17, the air flow is heated to a temperature of 30...45°C, and in the second circuit 18, the air flow is heated to a temperature of 50...60°C. The resulting air flows are fed by fans 11 and 21, respectively, for drying pelleted flax seeds in dryer 10 and for stopping the growth of sprouted seeds in a dense layer in dryer 5.

[0013] The exhaust air flow from the dryer 5 is directed to the tank 4 to heat the water to a temperature of 20...25°C, which is then used for germinating flax seeds in the drum germinator 2. After this, this air is combined with the exhaust air after the dryer 10 and with the exhaust air after the cooler 13 in the distributor 22 and is directed first to be cleaned in the filter-cyclone 14, and then through the air flow distributor 15 to the two-section evaporator 16 of the heat pump unit for drying. A flow of dried cold air from the first section of the evaporator 16 with a temperature of 10...15°C is fed by means of a fan 12 to cool the finished product in a belt cooler 13 and then for cleaning in a filter-cyclone 14 with the formation of a recirculation circuit, and the second air is fed from the second section of the evaporator 16 to the first circuit condenser 17 for its heating.

[0014] The implementation of the method is explained by the following example.

[0015] Example. 100 kg of cleaned and calibrated flax seeds are germinated for 24 hours at 23°C and 92% humidity; growth is stopped by heating the seeds with air at a temperature of 55°C for 3 minutes; they are pelleted with a 7% vegetable glycerin solution for 12 minutes; they are dried in a dryer in a dense layer at an air temperature of 38°C to 7% humidity; they are air-cooled to 20°C; and they are vacuum-packed. Result: shelf life of 8 months, 86% of Omega-3 and 89% of vitamin E are preserved.

[0016] Thus, the proposed method for producing pelleted sprouted flax seeds and the technological line for its implementation allow:

[0017] - obtain a pelleted product with a shelf life of more than 8 months at a temperature of 4°C;

[0018] - preserve 85...90% of Omega-3 acids, vitamins and enzymes due to gentle temperature processing;

[0019] - ensure the continuity of the technological process;

[0020] - reduce energy costs by 35...40% due to heat recovery of the heat pump unit.

Claims

1. A method for producing pelleted sprouted flax seeds, characterized by the fact that it involves germinating flax seeds using prepared water with a temperature of 20-25°C for 18-24 hours until sprouts of 1-3 mm are obtained, stopping the growth of the sprouted seeds by drying them with hot air at a temperature of 50-60°C for 2-4 minutes in a dense layer, pelleting with a solution of vegetable glycerin with a solution concentration of 2-10% for 5-20 minutes, drying the pelleted seeds in a dense layer at a temperature of 30-45°C for 25-30 minutes, and then cooling the finished product to 15-25°C;wherein a heat pump unit is used to obtain hot and cold flows of coolants, in the first circuit of the condenser of which the air flow is heated to a temperature of 30-45°C, and in the second circuit the air flow is heated to a temperature of 50-60°C, which are then used, respectively, in drying the pelleted flax seeds and stopping the growth of the sprouted seeds in a dense layer, while the exhaust air flow from the dense layer of seeds is fed to heat water to a temperature of 20-25°C, used for germinating the flax seeds, and then, together with the exhaust air after drying the pelleted seeds, is sent to a two-section evaporator of the heat pump unit for drying; the flow of dried cold air from the first section of the evaporator with a temperature of 10-15°C is fed to cool the finished product and then for cleaning with the formation of a recirculation circuit, and the second air flow is fed from the second section of the evaporator to the condenser for heating it.

2. A process line for producing pelleted sprouted flax seeds, characterized in that it is intended for implementing the method according to paragraph 1 and contains a drum sprouter (2) intended for sprouting flax seeds until sprouts are obtained, into which prepared water is fed from a water heating tank (4), a belt dryer (5) from which the sprouted seeds are directed into a storage bin (6), a pelletizer (7) in which the seeds are coated with a solution of vegetable glycerin (8) coming from a preparation tank, a dryer (10) and a belt cooler (13); wherein a heat pump unit is used to obtain hot and cold flows of heat carriers, including a compressor (19), a first circuit (17) and a second circuit (18) of a condenser, a thermostatic expansion valve (20) and a two-section evaporator (16), as well as a cyclone filter (14) intended for cleaning exhaust air.

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