Diseño de una planta para la elaboración de un deshidratado para infusiones de Sunfo Clinopodium nubigenum (Kunth) Kuntze

Abstract

In the present work the design of a plant for the elaboration of a dehydrated for infusion of Sunfo (Clinopodium nubigenum (Kunth) Kuntz) is developed, in order to enhance a typical plant of the Andean region of Ecuador. The Sunfo has medicinal properties known to the general population, with pleasant organoleptic characteristics and little exploited commercially. The plant is obtained from the El Chaupi sector, located in the canton Mejía in the province of Pichicha was botanically identified in conjunction with the personnel of the Institute of Natural Sciences of the Central University of Ecuador, corroborating the taxonomic information. To determine the optimum conditions of the productive process, 9 treatments are applied for drying at temperatures of 60, 50 and 40 ° C and flows of 7, 5 and 3 units. By means of the elaboration and analysis of curves of drying the optimal conditions for the drying were determined: temperature of 50 ° C and flow 5 for a time no greater than 4 hours. Surveys were carried out to specialists and potential consumers, determining that the dehydrated for infusion of Sunfo has more palatable organoleptic characteristics when performing a drying at 50 ° C with a flow of 7 or 5 units. It was determined that drying at 60 ° C alters the taste of the dehydrated due to the loss of volatile components of the plant. The drying at 40 ° C is not efficient in time and reduced a lower percentage of humidity, in addition it allows the proliferation of thermophilic microorganisms, for which it was determined that drying at this temperature is not appropriate. Finally, a financial analysis was carried out, through which the economic feasibility of the processing plant was demonstrated, obtaining a surplus of $ 19 810.66 according to what is indicated in the NPV, an IRR of 27% and a point of equilibrium. of 30 000 units.