Diseño del proceso industrial para la obtención de una bebida de hoja de Tuna (Opuntia ficus-indica) para la Empresa Vita Tuna.

Abstract

The main objective of this technical project is to design the industrial process for the production of a beverage made of tuna leaf in the company Vita Tuna, which is located in the province of Chimborazo, Guano (canton). To achieve this objective several tests were carried out at the laboratory level in the processing plant of Vita Tuna, they were based on making an alternative proposal of elaboration due to currently the company manages it in an artisanal way. Through these tests 4 different beverages samples were obtained of tuna leaf, which were evaluated through a sensory analysis performed by 110 judges. Through statistical tests, it was determined that the peach tuna leaf drink presents a higher general level of acceptance, the physical-chemistry characterization of raw material and the final product for the validation of it were carried out in a Certified Laboratory of the Riobamba city "SAQMIC", with these results the composition of the leaf of tuna was determined, and after comparing it was observed that after being processed does not lose any of its nutritional components, with these results, the composition of the leaf of tuna was determined, and after comparing it was observed, that after being processed does not lose any of its nutritional components. In addition, it evidenced the absence of microorganisms. For that reason, it was established that the chosen process is appropriate since a safe product with the expected nutritional characteristics is obtained. In the industrial process chosen, the following stages are established: reception of the raw material in the necessary quantity, inspection and selection of the raw material, washed, peeled and pulped, chopped, homogenized, stirred and mixed without bones, filtered, pasteurized, addition of additives (preservatives, sweetener, flavoring), packaging and labeling, it is recommended that the variables and parameters determined in the project be controlled throughout the entire process, to ensure a quality final product.