Cephalopod Ink Sterilization via Two-Stage Heat Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively preserve coleoid cephalopod mollusc ink, such as sepia and squid ink, through canning and sterilization, as existing processes do not meet food safety regulations and ensure sterility, leading to potential health risks and organoleptic instability.
Innovation Solution
A heat treatment process involving homogenization, pasteurization, cooling, and a second sterilization step in an autoclave at temperatures above 110°C, ensuring a sterility assurance level of 10^-6, which includes filling, turning, and marking of cans with expiry dates, to achieve microbial elimination and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pasteurisation is used to preserve cephalopod ink, then the ink can be preserved without freezing, but the process does not achieve complete sterilisation and may not meet food safety regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from pasteurisation temperatures to sterilisation temperatures above 110°C, and from short treatment times to extended treatment times (minimum 6 minutes for F0≥6), thereby achieving complete microbial elimination while preserving the ink's organoleptic properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action through a two-stage process: first pasteurisation at 70°C for 10 minutes to reduce microbial load and improve consistency, then cooling below 30°C before final sterilisation. This preliminary treatment prepares the ink for more effective sterilisation while maintaining quality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sterilisation temperature above 110°C is applied for extended time, then microbial elimination is ensured, but the organoleptic properties of the ink may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The preliminary pasteurisation step at 70°C for 10 minutes reduces the microbial load before sterilisation, allowing the subsequent high-temperature sterilisation to be more effective and potentially shorter in duration, thereby protecting organoleptic properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the sterilisation parameters by specifying temperature above 110°C with minimum treatment time of 6 minutes to achieve F0≥6, balancing microbial elimination with preservation of sensory qualities through precise parameter control
3Productivity
If the ink is preserved without proper sterilisation, then the processing time and energy consumption are reduced, but the product may not meet shelf life requirements and food safety standards
Solution Approach 1:
The preliminary pasteurisation and cooling steps prepare the ink in advance, reducing the microbial burden before sterilisation, which enables more efficient sterilisation processing while ensuring adequate shelf life and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous processing through the integrated two-stage thermal treatment process, eliminating idle time between operations and maintaining productive workflow while ensuring complete sterilisation for long shelf life
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process ensures the ink is preserved in sterile and safe conditions, meeting international food safety regulations and maintaining organoleptic stability for culinary use, with a low probability of microbial contamination.
Implementation Method 1
A second heat treatment is then performed in an autoclave in which a heat treatment is performed to achieve a sterilisation temperature that will ensure the absence of micro-organisms
Implementation Method 2
Homogenisation and first heat treatment of the ink in a reactor to perform pasteurising treatment in which a temperature of at least 70° C. is attained for over 10 minutes
Implementation Method 3
Cooling of the homogenised ink in a tank set to a temperature of below 30° C. and retention of the ink in said tank to lower its temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization process by means of heat treatment to preserve the ink of coleoid cephalopod molluscs includes the steps of homogenizing and first heat treating (1) the ink in a reactor for pasteurising treatment in which a temperature of at least 70° C. is attained for over 10 minutes; and cooling (2) the homogenized ink in a tank set to a temperature of below 30° C. and retaining the ink in the tank to lower its temperature. The process also includes the steps of continuing by filling, turning, blowing and marking (3) the expiry dates; and second heat treating (4) the ink in an autoclave in which a heat treatment is performed to achieve a sterilization temperature greater than or equal to 110° C. for a predetermined time based upon the quantity to be canned.