Sterilizer Moisture Loss Test

When FFB exposed to high temperature during sterilizing, part of the moisture content in it will evaporate spontaneously after the pressure  been released.

This loss of moisture amount should be at 10% of weight of the fruit, assists materially in the expression of the oil in press system.

The optimum moisture content has been found to be about 12%. If the moisture content is less, then 10% or exceed 14%, the oil recovery quotient will decrease.

Ø  Moisture Loss, Less then 10%         - Under sterilized.

Ø  Moisture Loss, within 10%-12%      - Right Sterilization, in line with FFB Ripeness

Ø  Moisture Loss, 12 and above            - Over Sterilized.

Normally during amending sterilizing program we will conduct Sterilizer Moisture Loss Test to evaluate effectiveness of our sterilizing program according to current weather and FFB pattern.

How to conduct the test.

(a)     Choose one FFB representing overall type of FFB and ripeness pattern, ensure all LF still attached on the bunch.

(b)     Weight the bunch using weighing scale, lets say the bunch weight are 18Kgs.

(c)     Put the bunch in a gunny sack and include all LF that been weight together with the bunch and hang it on cages side, ensure it will not be hit by other cages or fall down during sterilizing.

(d)     Start charge into sterilizer and sterilized it, complete cycle of cages as usual.

(e)     After sterilizing completed, and cages had been charge out, collect the sample and remove it from the gunny sack and weigh it,  lets say it is 16.02kgs.

Moisture Loss       =              (1^st weight – 2^nd weight)/ 1^st weight) x 100%

                                =              (18 – 16.02) / 18) x 100%

                                =              11%

Sterilizing program are ok, and we can cross check the correlation of this theory with daily condensate, oil loss in EFB and USB, normally it will be correlated.