A Life Cycle Assessment of Dehydrated Apple Snacks

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023-11-21

Authors

Belmira Neto (Author) FEUP; Inês Gonçalves (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Sustainability

Vol. 41

Pages: 1-17

ISSN: 2071-1050

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science ; Technological sciences > Engineering

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Z-JM7

DOI: 10.3390/su152316304

Abstract (EN): This study identifies and assesses the main contributors to the environmental impact of dehydrated apple snacks produced through the hot air drying method, which is the most common method for dehydrating food. The study aims to fill the gap of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies regarding dehydrated apple snacks produced using the hot air drying method. A cradle to gate approach of an LCA is performed, including the apple production, storage and calibration, peeling and cutting, dehydration, and packaging stages. The inventory used is mainly primary data collected from a fresh and dehydrated apple snacks producer. The results show that the snack producer's stages have a larger contribution to the majority of categories when compared to the fresh apple producer's stages. The electricity consumption within the snack production and the use of liquefied petroleum gas in dehydration are shown to be the largest contributors to the majority of the impacts. However, apple production is also shown to have a relevant contribution to the impact categories due to the use of pesticides, fertilizers, diesel, and electricity.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17