Synthesis, characterization and performance of membranes for clarification of lemon juice

P.M. CHORNOMAZ; N.A. OCHOA; C. PAGLIERO; J. MARCHESE

DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT

DESALINATION PUBL

Año: 2011 vol. 28 p. 294 - 298

1944-3994

Two membranes named M1 and M2 from polysulfone (PSF) and polyvinylidenefl uoride(PVDF), respectively, were prepared in our laboratory in order to determine their structuralcharacteristics and to evaluate their efficiency in lemon juice clarification. Both membraneswere characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), liquid–liquid displacement, contactangle measurements, and the water permeability (Lh). Asymmetric membranes with asponge-like and fi nger-like substructure for M1 and M2, respectively, were obtained. M1 PSFmembrane had a smaller pore size and a higher porosity than PVDF but it had a higher value ofpermeate flux and lower fouling. The quality of clarified juice was evaluated in terms of: totalsoluble solids (TSS), suspended solids (TS), pH, citric acid content (% citric ac.). The resultingclarified lemon juice was highly similar to the initial juice but the reduction of the hesperidin(HSP) was lower for M2 (34%) when is compared to M1 (41%).