Integrated membrane operations in fruit juice processing

Membrane operations represent a valid alternative to thermal evaporation processes which cause the deterioration of heat sensitive compounds leading to a remarkable qualitative decline of the final product. On the other hand, the current filtration of a wide variety of juices is performed by using fining agents such as gelatine, diatomaceous earth, bentonite and silica sol which cause problems of environmental impact due to their disposal. The possibility to realize integrated membrane systems in which all the steps of the fruit juices production are based on molecular membrane separations or in many cases in combination with other conventional separation units, often allows better performances in terms of product quality, plant compactness, environmental impact and energetic aspects.