ỨNG DỤNG CỦA CÔNG NGHỆ MÀNG THẨM THẤU THUẬN TRONG CÔ ĐẶC DỊCH ÉP DƯA HẤU

Tóm tắt

This research studied the potential application of forward osmosis technology in the concentration of watermelon juice using different inorganic draw solutions, pursuing the express goal of achieving the final juice concentration of 60 °Brix. Particularly, the influences of various operational conditions-which included: type of draw solutes, draw solution concentration, and watermelon juice concentration-on the concentration efficiency of the investigated forward osmosis system were evaluated through the changes in water flux and reverse draw solute flux. Experimental results suggested that water flux would increase with the rise of draw solution concentration, leading to the respective shortening of operational duration, while specific draw solute loss remained relatively stable. Therefore, it would be optimum to use saturated draw solutions in the forward osmosis concentration of watermelon juice, so that any potential losses of useful phytochemicals could be minimized. Overall, this study provided empirical evidence on the capability of forward osmosis technology in the concentrating watermelon juice, presenting an alternative approach that does not involve the utilization of elevated temperature conditions and consequently better in preserving useful but thermal-sensitive phytochemicals present in watermelon juice.