Specification of a new de-stoner machine: Evaluation of machining effects on olive paste's rheology and olive oil yield and quality

BACKGROUND:Anindustrial prototype of a partial de-stonermachinewas specified, built and implemented inanindustrial olive oil extraction plant. The partial de-stonermachinewas compared to the traditionalmechanical crusher to assess its quantitative and qualitative performance. The extraction efficiency of the olive oil extraction plant, olive oil quality, sensory evaluation and rheological aspects were investigated. RESULTS: The results indicate thatby using the partial de-stonermachine the extractionplantdid not showstatistical differences with respect to the traditional mechanical crushing. Moreover, the partial de-stoner machine allowed recovery of 60% of olive pits and the oils obtained were characterised bymoremarked green fruitiness, flavour and aroma than the oils produced using the traditional processing systems. CONCLUSION: The partial de-stoner machine removes the limitations of the traditional total de-stoner machine, opening new frontiers for the recoveryofpits tobeused asbiomass.Moreover, thepartial de-stonermachine permitted a significant reduction in the viscosity of the olive paste.