Filler
Filler
The Asep-Tec filler is designed to fill, under aseptic conditions, fruit juices and dairy products. For many of these products the shelf life is not only limited to microbiological activity but also to chemical deterioration such as oxidation. For these products the shelf life can be increased by reducing the oxygen level in the filled and sealed bottle. The total process of product storage, bottle and cap treatment, as well as controlling the internal conditions in the aseptic zone of the filler, require special attention in order to reduce the oxygen level in the filled and sealed bottle. Stork has designed several modules and systems for this purpose with their ‘Modified Atmospheric Filling system’ (MAF).

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Edited by John Gilbert
Inherent toxicants and processing contaminants are non-essential, bioactive substances whose levels in foods can be difficult to control. This volume covers both types of compound for the first time, examining their beneficial as well as their undesirable effects in the human diet. Chapters have been written as individually comprehensive reviews, and topics have been selected to illustrate recent scientific advances in understanding of the occurrence and mechanism of formation, exposure/risk assessment and developments in the underpinning analytical methodology. A wide range of contaminants are examined in detail, including pyrrolizidine alkaloids, glucosinolates, phycotoxins and mycotoxins. Several process contaminants (eg acrylamide and furan), which are relatively new but which have a rapidly growing literature, are also covered. Providing a practical reference for specialist toxicologists (chemists and food chemists), hygienists, government officials and anyone who needs to be aware of the main issues concerning toxicants and process contaminants in food, this book is also a valuable introduction to the subject for post-graduate students.
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NAPCON
The production of whey powder is a complex and energy intensive process. It is particularly important to control the moisture content precisely. Too high water content causes stickiness of the whey powder that can disrupt or even stop the production. On the other hand, if the powder is too dry it generates dust and uses excess energy. The moisture content of the product is set within a spray dryer in the final stage of the production line. An advanced process control (APC) solution consists of two tools included in Neste Jacobs NAPCON Suite: NAPCON Indicator, which calculates the material and energy balance information and sends it to NAPCON Controller, the multivariable model predictive control software package which is optimized for control of processes with cross-dependencies. The result is that the APC solution automatically controls the process so that the factory significantly increases its production. At the same time the risk for system downtimes due to bag filter clogging is reduced. Overall a more than 10 per cent increase in whey powder production may be obtained with no increased energy consumption and improved process control allowing an increase in the average moisture content.
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EvoGuard
Krones has succeeded in designing aseptic valves that provide a combination of safety and affordability. The EvoGuard aseptic seat valves handle classical tasks like rerouting and shutting off product flows, or emptying tanks. EvoGuard aseptic double-seat valves are used for separating hostile media in aseptic and sterile processes. With double-seat valves, the routings in the production operation can be run under preprogrammed control. One salient feature of their construction is the fact that all cross-sectional areas have been responsively designed to match the nominal diameter involved, thus eliminating any restrictions on the flow rate. A modularized range of choices is available, from which individual components can be selected to suit the particular application concerned.

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Biochip screening for antibiotic residues in food. Antibiotics are sometimes used to control disease in food animals, however, drug residues in food can pose a health risk to consumers. Allergies to sulphonamide antibiotics are relatively common – causing skin rashes, hives, pruritus and anaphylactic shock. It is essential to restrict antibiotic drug residues in foods, both to avoid unnecessary consumer exposure to drugs, and to limit the development of antibiotic resistance by ensuring antibiotics are used correctly and responsibly. Recently, there have been a number of news reports about imported foods that are contaminated with drug residues.  This highlights the need for quick, sensitive and cost-effective tests suitable for screening large numbers of samples.
A biochip screening test to detect sulphonamide antibiotic drug residues in meat, honey, feed and livestock is available. The anti-microbial array utilises a biochip containing an array of immobilised antibodies, each specific to a different antibiotic. The biochip simultaneously tests for 12 sulphonamide antibiotics in just 50 microlitres of urine or one gram of tissue, honey or feed. Simple sample preparation procedures and simultaneous testing enable a rapid throughput with minimum effort – 540 tests in under 2½ hours. The Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) is the maximum level of drug residue that is permitted in food. The EU has assigned an MRL of 100 ppb for all sulphonamide drugs. The anti-microbial array has sensitivities below 10 ppb for each sulphonamide, more than adequate for drug residue screening. Positive samples are retested using a confirmatory method such as HPLC or LC-MS. Biochip screening for antibiotic residues in food
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