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Reducing fossil fuel use and increasing reliance on renewable energy are essential for environmental protection and sustainable energy sources. This study examines a combined solar-wind-hydrogen system to supply energy for a dried fruit factory in Iran. We analyzed the system performance in Rasht, Shahrekord, and Bushehr using simulation tools to compare their renewable energy potentials. Shahrekord has the highest solar energy production per year at 1.221×108 W but the lowest wind energy production at 1.441×108 W. Bushehr derives 92% of its energy from wind, 7% from solar, and less than 1% from diesel engines, with wind energy production at 1.354×108 W. Rasht, characterized by moderate solar and wind potential, offers a balanced distribution of renewable energy sources. The energy efficiency of the hybrid system, which includes an electrolyzer and an alkaline fuel cell, is 51.82%. The analysis of hydrogen production and consumption shows Bushehr's suitability for renewable energy, producing sufficient power with minimal diesel dependency. Integrating PV panels, electrolyzers, and fuel cells demonstrates promise as a combined heat and power (CHP) solution for remote areas, enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability for energy-intensive industries like dried fruit production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the level of profitability of dried fruit production by combined technology (osmotic and convective). In the focus of the research is small capacity dryer - 500 kg of fresh fruit per day, which is used on agricultural holding. The costs of fresh fruit are the most important item in the structure of the price of all types of fruit (67.1% on average), followed by labor costs (14.0%) and packaging (6.8%), while the share of energy is very modest (2.74%). Comparative analysis shows that, individually, the most cost-effective is dried pears production. For 120 days of effective operation of the dryer, profit of 9,815 € is realized, with an acceptable degree of coefficient of economic efficiency (1.21). Investment in construction of drier (31,900 €) is paid in 2.74 years. It is a profitable business, which can be a good source of income for agricultural holdings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article will draw on the material culture collections of GLAM institutions to relate the under-researched and entwined histories of the Australian dried fruits industry and the post-First World War soldier settlement scheme. Using cookbooks, marketing posters, sheet music, newspapers, photographs and government reports, this article will show how popular culture was harnessed to support struggling returned soldiers. In so doing, Australian dried fruits became a symbol for nationalism, patriotism, nutrition and household economy. In the early 1920s, Australians were consuming less than a quarter of the 65,000 tonnes of dried fruit produced each year, much of which was grown and harvested by returned soldiers. Many soldier settlers were struggling to farm their grants of land successfully. Those that could reap a harvest were dismayed to find no market for it. Responding to this situation, the Victorian Dried Fruits Board commissioned Miss Flora Pell to write A Sunshine Cookery Book, which contained 50 recipes (all using dried fruits) 'for the modern table'. The foreword to this free cookbook was patriotic and moralistic. 'Housewives' were urged to support returned soldiers by buying Australian currants, sultanas and raisins and cooking with them every day. As well as showing their patriotism by supporting returned soldiers, they were also encouraged to do their duty by their families, and feed them dried fruits, which were nutritious and economical. Food choices were political, even in the 1920s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this work is to analyse and minimise, using a life cycle approach, the environmental performances of apple powders' production. Fruit powders, with respect to fresh fruits' juices, are easier to handle and used as an ingredient for the production of baby foods, snacks, and other items. A detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis was made to compare and optimise the two production processes, based on two drying techniques (drum or multistage drying), made by an Italian firm. Methods: All the quantities related to materials, energy consumption and emissions to air, soil and water were reported to the chosen functional unit (one apple powders' package). Data were analysed using SimaPro 8.0.4 software, whereas the Ecoinvent 3.1 database was used for the life cycle inventory, according to the reference standard for LCA (i.e. ISO 14040-14044). The system boundaries were set from apples' transportation to the company up to apple powders' distribution; in this way, a 'from gate to gate' approach was followed. The IMPACT 2002+ method was used to select the impact categories. The ones that are mainly influenced by the industrial stages of apple powders' production are carcinogens, non-carcinogens, respiratory inorganics, aquatic acidification, global warming potential and mineral extraction. Results and discussion: Among the two processes under study (a drum drying-based process and a multistage drying one), the first one (that is also the simpler and cheaper one) generated the higher emissions on all the impact categories. An in-depth analysis regarding all the industrial stages was made, in order to select the industrial steps whose impacts have to be minimised. For the process based on drum drying, the midpoint considered categories are mainly affected by the drying operation, whereas for the multistage drying-based process, some categories are mainly affected by drying, some others by storage. Different improvement scenarios were proposed to minimise the emissions related to both the apple powders' productions. Conclusions: Global emissions related to the apple powders' production were lowered using improved industrial scenarios. In order just to compare different scenarios characterised by not summable parameters, a global index (calculated as the sum of normalised values) was used. For the drum drying-based process, the global saving was equal to 31 %, whereas for the multistage drying-based process, it is equal to 27 %. Also in the case of improved scenarios, the drum drying-based process generated higher emissions on all the impact categories with respect to the multistage drying-based process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to reveal the competitiveness of dried fruit sector in Izmir. In this study, the competition level of dried fruits sector in Izmir was analyzed by applying Porter's Diamond Model. The total number of dried fruit firms in İzmir is 46. Data for this research were collected from the manager of 26 firms, that is 56.5% of all the companies working in this sector. According to the results, the competitiveness level of Izmir for the sector was determined as medium. The most important finding of the research was that the state, which was classified as an outside factor in the model, was found to affect the competition level of the sector negatively due to high tax rates, complex legal arrangements and bureaucracy. The outcomes could be used to create both public sector policies and private sector policies in order to improve sector competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and effective anion ion chromatography (IC) method with anion exchange column and conductivity detector has been developed to determine free sulfites (SO3-2)in dried fruits processed with sulfur dioxide. No oxidation agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, is used to convert sulfites to sulfates for IC analysis. In addition, no stabilizing agent, such as formaldehyde, fructose or EDTA, is required during the sample extraction. This method uses aqueous 0.2 N NaOH as the solvent for standard preparation and sample extraction. The sulfites, either prepared from standard sodium sulfite powder or extracted from food samples, are presumed to be unbound SO3-2 in aqueous 0.2 N NaOH (pH > 13), because the bound sulfites in the sample matrix are released at pH > 10. In this study, sulfites in the standard solutions were stable at room temperature (i.e., 15-25°C) for up to 12 days. The lowest standard of the linear calibration curve is set at 1.59 µg/mL SO3-2 (equivalent to 6.36 µg/g sample with no dilution) for analysis of processed dried fruits that would contain high levels (>1000 µg/g) of sulfites. As a consequence, this method typically requires significant dilution of the sample extract. Samples are prepared with a simple procedure of sample compositing, extraction with aqueous 0.2 N NaOH, centrifugation, dilution as needed, and filtration prior to IC. The sulfites in these sample extracts are stable at room temperature for up to 20 h. Using anion IC, the sulfites are eluted under isocratic conditions with 10 mM aqueous sodium carbonate solution as the mobile phase passing through an anion exchange column. The sulfites are easily separated, with an analysis run time of 18 min, regardless of the dried fruit matrix. Recoveries from samples spiked with sodium sulfites were demonstrated to be between 81 and 105% for five different fruit matrixes (apricot, golden grape, white peach, fig, and mango). Overall, this method is simple to perform and effective for the determination of high levels of sulfites in dried fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a review of drying processes of fruits and vegetables in which vitamin C degradation was considered. Vitamin C is an important and essential nutrient for humans and it can be taken as an index of nutrient quality of processes. Many researchers have reported the effect of different drying methods and the influence of drying conditions on the vitamin C content. In addition, the effect of other parameters related to the sample structure or to pretreatments on the final quality of the dried product is discussed. Vitamin C degradation mechanisms proposed in the literature, models applied to describe its kinetics, and recent advances in drying processes aiming high retention of this nutrient are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]