Definition and classification
Citrus pulp is a by-product of the industrial extraction of juice.
The term “citrus” comprises different fruits from the genus Citrus, maily orange, tangerine, lemon, and lime.
The residues of the industrial production of citrus juices represent 30-50% of the weight of the processed fruit. They comprise:
Pulp distribution as a fresh product (moisture content >78%) is limited to areas close to the extractive industries. For this reason. dried citrus pulp is the one commercialised internationally.
Citrus pulp is listed in the category “Other seeds and fruits, and fruit by-products” of the Catalogue of Feed Materials of EU Regulation
2017/1017, with the numbers 5.1.3.1 (fresh) and 5.1.3.2 (dried). It is also listed in the Crude Fiber Obligatory Declaration (without maximum level). It is defined as “a product obtained by means of pressing citrus fruits during the elaboration of juices (5.1.3.1) and subsequent drying (5.1.3.2)”.
If pectin is removed. this is also indicated in the designation. It can also contain up to 1% of anhydrous methanol, ethanol and propane-2-ol.
Pulp-making process
Washing
The juice extraction process starts by washing the fruit to eliminate leaves, dirt, and peel oils that can contain pesticide residues.
Separation of oils from peels
The peel’s essential oils (mainly d-limonene, of pronounced bitterness) are separated by pressing the whole fruit.
Juice extraction
Then, cuts are made Through the fruit’s peel to allow juice extraction.
Pulp separation
Citrus pulp consists of skins, membranes, pulp and seeds.
The juice is filtered to separate the floating pulp, and the residue is added to the pulp.
The pulp is taken to storage silos for transportation to farms, where ruminants consume it directly. Alternatively, it is dried and, after removing pectins, it is used to produce pellets for animal feeding.
During drying, calcium hydroxide or carbonate is included to facilitate the release of bound water. Then, the material is pressed to separate the molasses.The residue is dried in rotating drums and 20-50% of the molasses are incorporated into the pulp. This makes it darker, increases sugar content, and proportionally reduces the content of insoluble fiber.
The fresh pulp can be easily ensiled, and no treatment is needed since it is ground. However, it is recommended to ensile it with cereal straw to reduce effluents and sugar losses, as well as to increase silage effective fiber.
Chemical co...
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