Ultrasound and Infrared Radiation in Pasta Production
One of the current priorities of food supply for military personnel in the Far North and the Russian Arctic is to preserve its nutrition quality while maintaining the mass of food ration. To implement this task, the author proposes to produce soft wheat pasta with animal protein and high nutrient content (retinol, i.e. vitamin A, minerals, mineral nutrients, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids). Beef liver was added to the pasta as an enriching additive in the amount of 30% of the total dough. The composition of the ingredients, their quantity, and the effect on the amount of nutrients in the modified food product were calculated according to a specially designed program. Modernized equipment made it possible to use ultrasound and infrared radiation to intensify the technology of pasta production. A device for ultrasonic magnetostriction processing of flour reduced the contamination of wheat flour with pathogenic microorganisms and mold. An ultrasound press made it possible to use low gluten wheat flour. Modernization of the drying equipment by including sources of ultrasound and infrared radiation accelerated the process of drying. As a result, the pasta with a high content of animal protein did not lose in quality. The experimental studies revealed empirical dependency between the quality of the pasta and the ultrasound and infrared radiation. Intensification of the production of pasta with animal protein and a high nutrient content was 22–26%, while the strength of the finished product increased by 20–25%.