System and method for fortifying fruits with vitamins
A system and method for fortifying fruits with a nutrient solution containing vitamins in order to meet the daily required nutrient values for those vitamins. Ideally, one serving of fortified fruits will have the amount of nutrients that would be present in 2-4 servings of unfortified fruits. In a preferred embodiment, the fruits will be frozen and positively charged and the nutrient solution will be negatively charged in order to ensure that the nutrient solution will adhere to the fruits.
1. A method for fortifying fruits with vitamins comprising the steps of:
providing a fruit fortifying system comprising:
a nutrient mixing kettle for mixing a nutrient solution;
a blending tumbler for coating fruits with the nutrient solution; and
an electrostatic coating assembly having a positive electrode coupled to the blending tumbler for positively charging the fruits before they are sprayed with the nutrient solution and having a negative electrode coupled to the nutrient mixing kettle for negatively charging the nutrient solution before it is sprayed onto the fruits;
providing a nutrient powder that comprises Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K;
dissolving the nutrient powder in a predetermined amount of water in order to create the nutrient solution;
individually freezing a predetermined amount of at least one type of fruit;
positively charging the fruits as they pass through the blending tumbler;
negatively charging the nutrient solution while it is mixed within the nutrient mixing kettle; and
spraying the fruits that have been positively charged with the nutrient solution that has been negatively charged.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein a concentration of the nutrient solution is between 0.25%40.50% when fortifying fruits smaller than a predetermined size.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein a concentration of the nutrient solution is between 1.0%-2.0% when fortifying fruits larger than a predetermined size.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of constantly mixing the nutrient solution with a mixer within the nutrient mixing kettle to ensure that the nutrient powder is kept in suspension within the water.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of maintaining the nutrient solution at a temperature of between 34° F. and 40° F.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the blending tumbler is tilted at an angle between 15°-35° and rotated at a speed between 25 RPM and 95 RPM.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the blending tumbler is tilted at an angle of 20° and wherein the blending tumbler is rotated at a speed of 35 RPM to ensure an even coating of all of the fruits with the nutrient spray.