Résumé
This tool is a knowledge management system designed to help prediction for the durum wheat processing chain. Working principle This hybrid information system allows to model a food chain as a set of consecutive unit operations (by example, in the durum wheat chain, extrusion, drying, cooking, …) transforming raw material into a food product. Each unit operation is modelled by a set of process parameters and product characteristics (by example, in the pasta chain, for the cooking in water unit operation, controlled parameters are temperature, % salt, cooking duration, type of water; product characteristics are e.g. vitamin contents, for niacin, thiamin, etc.). The software permits to load experimental quantitative and/or qualitative data for each unit operation in terms of controlled parameters and food characteristics. Those data are used thanks to learning functionalities (based on decision trees) to determine the controlled parameters which have the main influence on food characteristics for a given unit operation. Those decision trees can be also used to simulate the impact of a given set of controlled parameter values on food characteristics. It allows evaluating both faults and qualities of food products. Additional effects The system does not require an a priori model. It could be used for risk and benefit analysis. Important parameters Process parameters, which may influence the product characteristics such as temperature, % salt, cooking duration, type of water…, must be entered. The learning functionalities will automatically determine the actual influence of the process parameters on the product characteristics with respect to the experimental data entered in the database. Product This technology is generic, it can be used for any kind of food product chain. It requires to input the data for each specific food chain.. Operations Quality managing Match with potential needs/short comings Demand for safe, healthy and tasty foods p { margin-bottom: 0.21cm; } Modularity/implementation This system is to be installed alongside the whole durum wheat processing chain. It could also be adapted to other food chains. Consumer aspects Consumers will certainly accept food products with improved safety, health and taste