Whole Almond and Walnut Grinding Without Drying for Beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing almond and walnut harvesting and processing methods result in environmental contamination, health risks, and inefficient utilization of the outer hulls, which are rich in bioactive compounds, leading to suboptimal product quality and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An off-ground harvesting method followed by grinding the almond or walnut fruits, including their kernels and green outer hulls, to a fine particle size without prior drying, allowing for the production of edible solids, beverages, and oil extracts, while minimizing contamination and preserving nutritional value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If on-ground harvesting is used, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but food safety risks and environmental contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful element (ground contact) from the harvesting process by using off-ground harvesting methods such as manual collection or mechanical systems that do not require fruits to touch the ground, thereby eliminating contamination risks while maintaining harvesting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (mechanical collection devices, containers, or processing systems) that facilitates the transition from tree to processing without ground contact, allowing efficient harvesting while preventing contamination from pesticides, herbicides, and insects
2Speed
If on-ground harvesting is used, then harvesting speed is improved, but dust generation and tree health impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the source of dust generation (ground contact during harvesting) by implementing off-ground collection methods, thereby eliminating the harmful dust particles that obstruct stomata and harm tree health while preserving harvesting speed through efficient collection systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of rapid harvesting (which causes dust) into a benefit by using controlled mechanical systems that achieve high harvesting speed without ground contact, thereby preventing dust generation while maintaining productivity
3Reliability
If drying operation is performed before processing, then mold and microbiological spoilage are prevented, but processing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions (off-ground harvesting, immediate processing) before the harmful effects (mold and microbiological spoilage) can occur, eliminating the need for separate drying operations by processing fruits while still on the tree or immediately after controlled collection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by moving directly from harvesting to processing without interruption for drying, thereby preventing mold and spoilage while reducing processing complexity and time through a streamlined continuous workflow
4Ease of manufacture
If outer hulls are discarded or used only for feed, then processing simplicity is maintained, but economic value and nutritional utilization are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers the outer hulls from being discarded or used only for feed by incorporating them into food and beverage products, thereby capturing their nutritional value and bioactive compounds while maintaining processing simplicity through integrated processing methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the outer hulls multi-functional by using them both as structural components of the fruit and as valuable nutritional ingredients in food and beverage products, thereby eliminating waste while maintaining processing simplicity through versatile utilization
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
This approach simplifies processing, reduces environmental impact, enhances product quality by maintaining freshness and nutritional content, and provides cost-effective, high-yield food and beverage compositions rich in antioxidants.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting a mass comprising kernels, inner shell and green outer hull of the nut fruits to grinding to an average particle size of 500 μm or less
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a method of processing nut fruits selected from almond fruits and/or walnut fruits, comprising: a) off-ground harvesting of the nut fruits; b) subjecting a mass comprising kernels, inner shell and green outer hull of the nut fruits to grinding to an average particle size of 500 μm or less to provide a ground mass; and c) further processing the ground mass to edible nut fruit solids, edible nut fruit-based products and/or nut fruit beverages; wherein the nut fruits have not been subjected to drying before step b). The method provides an ecologically friendly and simple alternative for processing almond fruits and/or walnut fruits to food and beverage compositions that are not only suitable for human consumption but simultaneously comprise high amounts of the natural antioxidants and bioactive materials present in the fresh fruits. Simultaneously, the method reduces risks related to both consumer health and the orchard environment, does not require extensive use of herbicides and/or pesticides, and reduces dust generation and tree water stress. In addition, edible products and beverages obtained by the aforementioned method are described.