Wax Emulsion
Introduction
Extension in storage life of easily perishable fruits/vegetables is an important aspect for a county with tropical climatic conditions. The fruits/vegetable have to remain in fresh and marketable condition with minimum decay for longer period of time. Wax emulsion when applied to fresh, healthy, mature fruits/vegetables protects them against excessive moisture loss, higher respiration rate, heat build up and thermal decomposition. As a result, the texture and quality of the fresh produce will be maintained as near to the fresh condition as possible for a long time. Wax emulsion is mainly used for preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables and extending their storage life. The coating of wax emulsion on the fruits and vegetables has the following characteristics:
- It is invisible to the naked eye.
- It does not interfere with the natural appearance, colour, flavour and quality of fruits/vegetables.
- It reduces moisture loss and helps fruits/vegetables retain their external texture.
- Storage life of fruits/vegetables is extended by 50-100% at ambient and low temperatures.
- It is economical and non-hazardous.
- It imparts shine and gloss to the commodity.
- It protects the fruits and vegetables from organisms causing fungal decay when proper fungicides are used in the required concentration in the emulsion.
Process
The waxes are weighed, melted and necessary quantity of emulsifiers added at controlled temperatures. Boiling water is then added until water-wax emulsion (O/W type) is ready. The hot wax emulsion is then cooled by running cold soft water and the volume of the wax emulsion made up with cold soft water. The cooled wax emulsion is then dispensed into containers and stored at room temperatures. The wax emulsion is stable and does not deteriorate between 10oC and 100oC for a period of 9-12 months. The water wax emulsion once frozen cannot to thawed out.
Specifications of the Product
The concentrated wax emulsion with 12% solids should not precipitate out even when diluted with 0.5% of soft cold water.
On removal of water from the wax emulsion oven at 80oC the solids should register not less than 12% and not more than 13%. Viscosity - 5.5 to 6.0 CPS, pH-9.0 to 9.4
Plant Parameters
| Capacity, Gallons. PA | 30,000 |
| No. of shifts / day | 3 |
| Working days / Yr | 300 |
| Covered Area, m2 | 200 |
Manpower
| Managerial | 1 |
| Skilled | 1 |
| Unskilled | 5 |
Raw Material
| Sugar cane wax | Oleic acid |
| Carnauba wax | Triethanolamine |
| Paraffin wax | Ammonia. |
Utilities
| Power | Process water |
Plant & Machinery
| Wax emulsion unit | Stirrer |
| Jacketed S.S.round bottom tank | M.S.Tank |
| Exhaust fan | Pump |
For further information please contact
National Research Development Corporation
( A Government of India Enterprise )
20-22, Zamroodhpur Community Center
Kailash Colony Extension
New Delhi 110 048. India
Tel: 91-11-26419904, 26417821, 26480767, 26432627
Fax: 011-26231877, 26460506, 26478010
Website: www.nrdcindia.com
