Diseño y validación de un proceso de control de calidad para los proveedores de la Central Panelera Teniente Hugo Ortiz en la parroquia Tarqui

Abstract

The objective of this project was to obtain quality control in the production of sugar cane honey made by small artisans in the Tarqui parish. The bibliography of previous studies and analyses of sugarcane derivatives was reviewed to apply methodologies and compare results with current regulations. The adaptation of the procedures and the parameters necessary to extract honey from a solid panela production process were fundamentally based on Good Agricultural Practices. The regulations used are made up of the Colombian technical standard 1846, which includes requirements such as the amount of total reducing sugars (65%), Brix degrees (68) and sulphur dioxide content (0.003%). Also, the INEN 2331 standard, which contains the requirements for solid panela, which are divided into physical, chemical, pollutant and microbiological, helped to verify the quality of the final product. The honey extracted in the “Alfredo López” Trapiche met the quality parameters, and its extraction point was defined, which is close to 109 ° C and a concentration of soluble solids around 76 ° Brix. However, the quality of the final product presented insufficient minerals (potassium, calcium, and phosphorus). It is concluded that the extraction of virgin honey from sugar cane, variety "Limeña", in the traditional process of making solid panela is favourable and feasible. It is recommended to apply an analysis to the composition of the cultivation soils since the insufficiency of minerals in it is presumed, this directly affects the yield of the sugarcane production and the quality characteristics of the solid panela.