Resources employed and innovation requirements in cactus pear packing lines Available to Purchase

In the last few decades the cultivation of cactus pears represents an important element in the economy of subtropical regions with scarce water resources. The increasing market competition from other countries has forced Sicilian producers to modernise the packing houses where the fruit is processed. The study carried out has shown that the technology employed in the newest packing lines is of a high level and that a low level of human, material and energy resources are necessary; moreover, packing and despining need further innovations. Trials conducted with an instrumented sphere IS100 has permitted critical points on the packing lines to be identified and to identify materials on which the fruit impacts during the processing.