Medellín, jun. 26 de 2012 - Agencia de Noticias UN- A novel and practical computer application optimizes the formulation of mathematical processes in order to indentify the costs, quantities and recipes associated with fruit and vegetable based products.

The application was devised by UN Food, Science and Technology Master’s degree candidate, Camilo Agudelo Cuartas, whom explained that his innovation “facilitates the calculation of certain agroindustrial processes involving fruit, pulp, vegetables and mixing simulations for production of cold drinks, juice and jams”. 

“This particular tool also aids in the design of product packaging, as well as determining the optimal quantities of materials necessary for manufacturing. The software greatly reduces manufacturing times and associated costs. 

The application has three basic modules: input of raw materials; transformation into final products, such as fruit pulp and sweetening treatments, addition of preservatives and thermal treatments amongst others.  Additionally it can determine optimal packaging design in order to adjust acidity levels or develop treatments and disinfecting solutions for workers, utensils and equipment.  

Camilo Agudelo Cuartas used Microsoft Excel^® as the base software in order to develop this unique application. It prompts users with suggestions for each step in the process. For example, it indicates which raw materials should be used. Additionally, the program offers the option to add more processing stages and to elaborate new products, such as making wine and other products.

The tool was engineered for use by anyone with basic knowledge in order to optimize their laboratory work. The application has several mathematical models that processes in seconds what used to take minutes. One example is “finding the optimal area of a package through mathematical modeling”.  

The researcher says that this solution could be used by many small to mid-sized companies.  It’s practical  and easy to access for any kind of agri-food company as practically every business has Excel.

Agudelo Cuartas’ software application is still at the programming validation and debugging stage. This project was showcased at the Second Agrarian Sciences Faculty’s Food Agro-Engineering Academic Curricular Conferences.  

(Por:Fin/hr/ clc)

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