Sterilisation and disinfection
Natural foods and raw materials can contain germs and microorganisms. These microorganisms are killed by thermal-pneumatic effects. Heating, humidifying, drying and cooling are particularly convenient in the amixon® sterile reactor. The germ count is reduced by several orders of magnitude. Optionally, the germ count can be reduced to zero.
However, mould spores can never be completely avoided. Although it is possible to achieve complete sterility in agricultural products, this is not necessary in most cases. Nevertheless, microorganisms must only be present in very small quantities. Spices for the food industry must be particularly low in germs.
An effective method of reducing germs is treatment with hot steam. This is particularly effective in the amixon® sterilisation reactor: the spices, tea, cocoa or grain are placed in a pressure-resistant, heated mixing chamber.
- The products are mixed gently and slowly
- then the mixing chamber is evacuated
- sterilised steam is introduced at several points simultaneously
- This creates excess pressure in the mixing chamber.
The steam condenses on the surface of the particles and releases heat (enthalpy jump). Water has a very high evaporation enthalpy.
During condensation, a lot of heat energy is transferred to the spice very quickly. The spice particles heat up and the surface germs are killed. amixon® sterile mixers are particularly conducive to success:
- The heating of all machine parts that come into contact with the product ensures that the steam only condenses on the product.
- Gentle mixing preserves the structure of the particles.
Once the sterilisation target has been achieved, the moisture is removed. This is done by evacuating the mixing chamber again. At the same time, the spices are dried and cooled. As a rule, the germ count is reduced by several orders of magnitude.
Although the term ‘steam sterilisation’ is often used, this is not sterilisation in the medical sense.
Absolute (medical) sterility can be achieved on request by increasing the treatment time and the system pressure. amixon® also masters these processes and can demonstrate them in its technical centre.