Preparation process of hawthorn powder.

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Hawthorn powder

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1. Introduction

Hawthorn powder has been increasingly popular in recent years due to its various applications. It can be used in the food industry for making desserts, beverages, and health - care products. In the pharmaceutical field, it also shows certain potential health - promoting properties. Therefore, understanding the preparation process of Hawthorn powder is of great significance.

2. Raw material selection and pretreatment

2.1 Raw material selection

The selection of high - quality hawthorn is the first and crucial step in the preparation of Hawthorn powder. When choosing hawthorn, several factors need to be considered. Firstly, the variety of hawthorn matters. Different varieties may have different flavors, nutrient contents, and physical properties. For example, some varieties may be more sour, while others may be sweeter. Secondly, the ripeness of hawthorn is also important. Ripe hawthorn usually has a better taste and higher nutrient content. Over - ripe or under - ripe hawthorn may affect the quality of the final product.

2.2 Pretreatment

1. Cleaning: After selecting the appropriate hawthorn, the first step of pretreatment is cleaning. Hawthorn fruits are often contaminated with dirt, pesticides, and other impurities. Thorough cleaning is necessary to ensure the safety and quality of the product. This can be achieved by soaking the hawthorn in clean water for a certain period and then gently scrubbing them.
2. Coring: Hawthorn has a relatively large core, which is not suitable for direct use in making powder. Therefore, coring is an essential operation. There are special tools available for coring hawthorn, which can effectively remove the core while minimizing damage to the flesh.
3. Drying: Drying is the final step in the pretreatment process. Drying can reduce the moisture content of hawthorn, which is beneficial for subsequent processing steps such as crushing. There are different drying methods, such as natural drying and mechanical drying. Natural drying is simple and cost - effective, but it may be affected by weather conditions. Mechanical drying, such as using a drying oven, can control the drying conditions more accurately, but it has relatively higher costs. During the drying process, appropriate temperature and time need to be set to ensure that the hawthorn is dried evenly without over - drying or under - drying.

3. Crushing

3.1 Coarse crushing

After pretreatment, the dried hawthorn is ready for crushing. The first stage of crushing is coarse crushing. Coarse crushing can break the hawthorn into relatively large pieces. This can be achieved using crushers with appropriate blades or rollers. The purpose of coarse crushing is to make the hawthorn more suitable for further fine crushing. During coarse crushing, the speed of the crusher and the feeding amount of hawthorn need to be adjusted appropriately to ensure efficient crushing without clogging the machine.

3.2 Fine crushing

Fine crushing is the key step to obtain hawthorn powder. After coarse crushing, the relatively large pieces of hawthorn are further crushed into fine powder. High - speed pulverizers are often used for fine crushing. These pulverizers can generate strong shearing and impact forces, which can effectively break the cell walls of hawthorn and turn it into fine powder. However, during fine crushing, attention should be paid to the temperature rise. Excessive temperature rise may cause the loss of some nutrients in hawthorn, so appropriate cooling measures may need to be taken, such as using a water - cooled pulverizer.

4. Post - treatment

4.1 Sieving

After crushing, the hawthorn powder may contain some particles of different sizes. Sieving is carried out to obtain a more uniform powder. Sieves with different mesh sizes can be used according to the required powder fineness. For example, if a very fine powder is required, a sieve with a smaller mesh size can be used. The particles that do not pass through the sieve can be re - crushed or further processed.

4.2 Packaging

Proper packaging is essential to protect the hawthorn powder from moisture, oxygen, and other external factors. There are various packaging materials available, such as plastic bags, aluminum - foil bags, and glass bottles. Plastic bags are commonly used due to their low cost and convenience. However, aluminum - foil bags have better barrier properties against moisture and oxygen, which can better preserve the quality of hawthorn powder. Glass bottles are also a good choice, especially for high - end products, as they are more environmentally friendly and can provide good protection. When packaging, appropriate filling amounts should be determined according to the packaging size and the usage requirements of the product.

4.3 Storage

The storage conditions of hawthorn powder also play an important role in maintaining its quality. Hawthorn powder should be stored in a cool, dry, and well - ventilated place. Avoid direct sunlight and high - temperature environments. The storage temperature should preferably be controlled within a certain range, for example, between 10 - 25 degrees Celsius. In addition, it should be stored away from strong odors, as hawthorn powder is likely to absorb odors, which may affect its taste and quality.

5. Quality inspection

5.1 Sensory detection

Sensory detection mainly evaluates the appearance, color, odor, and taste of hawthorn powder. Appearance should be in the form of fine powder without obvious lumps or impurities. The color should be consistent with the natural color of hawthorn, which is usually reddish - brown. The odor should have a characteristic hawthorn aroma without any strange or unpleasant smells. For the taste, a small amount of hawthorn powder can be tasted, and it should have a proper sour - sweet taste, which is also in line with the taste characteristics of hawthorn.

5.2 Physicochemical detection

• Moisture content: The moisture content of hawthorn powder is an important indicator. Excessive moisture can lead to mold growth and deterioration of the powder. The moisture content can be measured using methods such as drying at a constant temperature. The ideal moisture content should be within a certain range, usually less than a certain percentage, such as 10%.
• Nutrient content: Hawthorn powder is rich in various nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and organic acids. Physicochemical methods can be used to detect the content of these nutrients. For example, high - performance liquid chromatography can be used to detect the content of organic acids in hawthorn powder, and atomic absorption spectrometry can be used to detect the content of minerals.
• Particle size distribution: Particle size distribution affects the solubility and dispersibility of hawthorn powder. Laser diffraction particle size analyzers can be used to measure the particle size distribution of hawthorn powder, ensuring that it meets the requirements for different applications.

6. Conclusion

The preparation process of hawthorn powder involves multiple steps, from raw material selection and pretreatment to crushing, post - treatment, and quality inspection. Each step is crucial for ensuring the quality of the final product. With the increasing demand for hawthorn powder in various fields, strict control of the preparation process and continuous improvement of product quality are necessary to meet the market requirements and promote the healthy development of the hawthorn powder industry.

FAQ:

1. What are the key factors in raw material selection for hawthorn powder preparation?

When selecting raw materials for hawthorn powder, high - quality hawthorn is crucial. It should be fresh, without obvious diseases or pests. The size and maturity of the hawthorn also need to be considered. Usually, fully - ripened hawthorn is preferred as it has a better taste and more complete nutrient content.

2. Why is drying an important part of the pretreatment process?

Drying is an important pretreatment step. Firstly, drying can reduce the moisture content in hawthorn, which helps prevent the growth of microorganisms during the subsequent processing and storage. Secondly, drying can make the hawthorn easier to be crushed, which is beneficial for the crushing process to obtain a more uniform powder.

3. What are the main methods of coarse and fine crushing?

For coarse crushing, mechanical crushers such as hammer crushers can be used. They can break the dried hawthorn into relatively large pieces. For fine crushing, devices like high - speed pulverizers are often employed. These can further grind the coarsely crushed hawthorn into fine powder, ensuring that the particle size of the hawthorn powder meets the requirements.

4. What is included in the sensory detection during quality inspection?

Sensory detection mainly includes aspects such as appearance, color, smell, and taste. The appearance of hawthorn powder should be uniform without obvious lumps. The color should be consistent with the normal color of hawthorn powder. The smell should have the characteristic fragrance of hawthorn, and there should be no strange or rancid smell. In terms of taste, it should have a typical hawthorn flavor.

5. How is the physicochemical detection in quality inspection carried out?

Physicochemical detection usually involves testing parameters such as moisture content, solubility, and nutrient content. For example, the moisture content can be measured using a moisture analyzer to ensure that it meets the standard requirements for storage. Solubility can be determined by observing the dissolution of the hawthorn powder in a certain solvent. Nutrient content such as vitamin C and flavonoids can be analyzed using chemical analysis methods.

Related literature

• The Processing Technology and Quality Control of Hawthorn - related Products"
• "Advances in Hawthorn Powder Preparation and Its Nutritional Properties"
• "Research on the Standardized Preparation Process of Hawthorn Powder"