Application of activated carbon in food industry

In the complex production systems of the food industry, the selection of activated carbon forms not only affects purification efficiency but also directly impacts product quality and production economics. Xingsen Activated Carbon, leveraging deep expertise in food processing technologies, has developed a comprehensive product portfolio spanning powder, granular, cylindrical, and composite forms. By precisely addressing core requirements across various scenarios, the company ensures full-chain purification solutions from raw material treatment to finished product preservation.

I. Powder activated carbon: “instant purification expert” of liquid materials

The core advantage of powder activated carbon lies in its ultra-large area contact efficiency. Its micron particles (most of Xingsen products are 100-325 mesh) can be rapidly dispersed in liquid to form a “global adsorption network”, which is especially suitable for intermittent liquid processing processes that require rapid treatment.

• Deep Decolorization in Sugar Industry:During the refining process of raw sugar into white granulated sugar, caramel pigments (with molecular weights 500-3000 Da) and decomposition products of reducing sugars in the sugar solution are key factors affecting whiteness. Xingsen Food-grade Powder Activated Carbon, made from coconut shell materials, forms a highly developed microporous structure (micropores>70% coverage) through high-temperature steam activation, with pore sizes concentrated at 0.5-1.5nm that perfectly match the molecular dimensions of caramel pigments. After introducing Xingsen’s 300-mesh powder activated carbon, a beet sugar factory implemented a three-step “adsorption-coagulation-filtration” process. This innovation increased the sugar solution decolorization rate from 65% to 92%, while reducing activated carbon consumption from 8kg per ton of sugar to 6.5 kg, resulting in annual cost savings exceeding 2 million yuan.
• Precision Impurity Removal in Liquor Production:The fusel oils (e.g., isopentanol) and aldehydes present in newly brewed baijiu can cause headaches after consumption. Xingsen’s specially developed powdered activated carbon for baijiu (purified through acid washing) selectively adsorbs these harmful substances (with a removal rate of 45%) while preserving flavor components like esters (e.g., ethyl acetate). Practical applications from a strong-aroma baijiu producer demonstrate that using this activated carbon significantly reduces the “new liquor flavor” of baijiu, shortens aging time by 40%, and ensures all quality indicators meet the GB/T 10781.1-2021 standard.
• Clarification and Stabilization of Fermented Beverages:During production, yogurt and plant-based protein beverages are prone to precipitation caused by protein denaturation. Xingsen Powder Activated Carbon (200-mesh particle size) effectively removes hydrophobic groups from whey proteins, destabilizing colloidal structures. Combined with centrifugal separation technology, this solution achieves efficient clarification. A leading almond milk beverage manufacturer implemented the process, reducing centrifugal sedimentation from 1.2% to below 0.3%. The product maintained uniform consistency throughout its shelf life without layering, with sensory evaluations showing a 15% improvement in consumer satisfaction.

Technical key: Xingsen powdered activated carbon through a special “surface modification” process, adjust the surface functional groups (such as increasing the content of hydroxyl groups), avoid excessive adsorption on the nutritional components in food (such as vitamins, amino acids), and achieve a balance between purification and preservation of nutrition.

II.Granular activated carbon: “high efficiency purification column” for continuous production

Granular activated carbon (the particle size of Xingsen products is mostly 1-8mm) has become the core purification material of continuous production line due to its high strength and easy regeneration characteristics, especially in the liquid material treatment that requires long-term stable operation.

• Full-process purification in oil refining: During the deodorization process of vegetable oils, free fatty acids and ketone compounds generate unpleasant odors. Xingsen Granular Activated Carbon (wood chip-based, 8-30 mesh) contains 35% mesoporous pores (2-50nm), effectively adsorbing these macromolecular substances. A rapeseed oil processing plant implemented a two-stage decolorization process combining “activated clay + Xingsen granular carbon”. The oil color (Luo Weipeng 133.4mm groove) improved from yellow 40 to red 4.0, while the acid value stabilized below 0.2mg KOH/g after deodorization, meeting Grade I oil standards. More importantly, its mechanical strength (wear rate <0.3%) ensured continuous operation for 300 hours without powdering in filtration equipment, extending filter cloth replacement cycles to twice the original duration.
• Advanced Drinking Water Treatment:In bottled water production, trace organic compounds (e.g., humic acid) and residual chlorine in water sources can affect taste. Xingsen coconut shell granular activated carbon (Iodine Value 1000mg/g)-filled adsorption columns enable continuous raw water treatment, reducing Total Organic Carbon (TOC) from 4.0mg/L to 0.5mg/L with a 99.9% residual chlorine removal rate. After adoption by a mineral water company, the product’s “earthy odor” was completely eliminated, resulting in a 25% increase in consumer satisfaction. Additionally, this activated carbon can be regenerated through high-temperature steam (regeneration temperature 800℃), retaining over 85% of adsorption capacity post-regeneration. After five reuse cycles, it still meets production requirements, significantly reducing consumable costs.
• Flavor Optimization of Seasonings:During the late fermentation stage, soy sauce and oyster sauce develop bitter compounds like furfural. Xingsen Granular Activated Carbon (coal-based, 4-10 mesh) employs a “dynamic adsorption” process (flow rate 1.5 m/h) to selectively remove these substances while preserving umami components like sodium glutamate. After implementation by a soy sauce brand, the product’s bitterness score (sensory evaluation) dropped from 3.5 to 1.2, freshness value increased by 10%, and amino nitrogen content stabilized above 1.3g/100mL, meeting premium-grade soy sauce standards.

III.Pelletized activated carbon: “targeted adsorption carrier” for gas and special scenarios

Column activated carbon (Xingsen product diameter 3-5mm, length 5-15mm) is formed by extrusion molding process to form a regular structure with good filling uniformity and low air flow resistance, which is outstanding in gas adsorption and scenes requiring precise control of adsorption rate.

• Active Preservation in Food Packaging:Baked goods like bread and cakes are prone to mold growth and oil oxidation during storage. Xingsen Cylindrical Activated Carbon (activated to achieve over 50% porosity) combined with food-grade desiccant creates a “preservation card” that simultaneously absorbs moisture (30% hygroscopicity) and oxygen (99% deoxygenation), while inhibiting mold spore germination. A bakery chain extended its whole wheat bread shelf life from 3 to 7 days after implementation, with no noticeable texture hardening.
• Ethylene Regulation in Fruit Storage:Ethylene (concentration>1ppm) released during transportation of tropical fruits like bananas and mangoes accelerates ripening. Xingsen cylindrical activated carbon (loaded with palladium catalyst) can adsorb up to 20mL/g of ethylene while catalyzing its decomposition into harmless CO₂ and H₂ In containerized shipments, placing 500g of this activated carbon per cubic meter reduces fruit spoilage rates from 15% to below 3%, significantly minimizing logistics losses.
• Air Purification in Food Processing Facilities:Aquatic product processing workshops often generate pungent odors such as trimethylamine. Xingsen’s cylindrical activated carbon-filled air purifiers effectively adsorb these odor molecules through duct circulation (with a removal rate of 90%), significantly improving workshop conditions. At a fish paste processing plant, the system reduced odor concentration from 200ppm to below 20 ppm, decreased employee complaints by 80%, and minimized cross-contamination risks caused by odors.

IV. Composite activated carbon: “multi-functional solution” for innovative scenarios

With the diversified demands of the food industry for material functions, Xingsen activated carbon has developed composite products, which solve problems that are difficult to be dealt with by traditional activated carbon through the synergistic action of “adsorption + other functions”.

• Biodegradable cling film:This innovative material combines activated carbon nanopowder (50-100nm particle size) with polylactic acid (PLA), creating a film that adsorbs ethylene gas (12mL/g) and inhibits bacterial growth (95% inhibition rate against Escherichia coli). It fully degrades within six months in natural environments. When used for strawberry packaging, it extends the shelf life from 2 to 7 days while eliminating plastic pollution risks, meeting EU’s “Plastic Limitation Directive” requirements.
• Functional filter media: In the honey dewaxing process, Xingsen activated carbon and diatomite composite filter media is developed. Through the synergistic action of activated carbon adsorbing pigments and diatomite intercepting wax particles, the light transmittance of honey is increased from 60% to 98%, while the filtration speed improves by 50%. This addresses the traditional challenge of single filter media being either slow in filtration or incomplete in purification.
• Food additive purification:In the crystallization pretreatment of L-phenylalanine (a food-grade sweetener raw material), Xingsen’s activated carbon-resin composite adsorption material effectively removes proteins (98% adsorption rate) and heavy metal ions (lead and arsenic removal rate>99%) from fermentation broth, achieving a product purity of 99.8% that meets FCC (International Food Chemical Codex) standards. This innovation eliminates the traditional two-step process of “activated carbon adsorption + resin impurity removal”, reducing production costs by 30%.

V.Food grade guarantee of Xing Sen activated carbon: whole chain control from raw material to application

No matter what form, the core premise of food-grade activated carbon is “safe and non-toxic”. Xingsen activated carbon controls from the source:

• Raw material screening:only coconut shells and wood chips that meet food grade standards are selected (industrial waste is rejected), and 300 items of agricultural residues and heavy metals are tested;
• Production process:The physical activation method (steam activation) is adopted to avoid the residue of chemical activators (such as zinc chloride), the ash content is controlled below 3%, and the content of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic is <0.1mg/kg;
• Certification system:the whole series of products have passed FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration), EU 10/2011 (EU food contact materials), FSSC22000 and other authoritative certifications, which can be directly contacted with food.

In today’s food industry, which constantly pursues “safety, efficiency, and sustainability,” the selection of activated carbon forms has evolved from “simple adaptation” to “precise customization.” Xingsen Activated Carbon offers customized solutions combining form-specific compatibility with functional optimization for specialized sectors like sugar production, oil processing, alcoholic beverages, and beverage manufacturing. With diversified forms, professional performance, and stringent safety standards, it has become a reliable partner for food enterprises to enhance product quality and reduce costs.