The present invention discloses a method of sterilizing whole nuts includes pre-cooking said nuts in a pre-cooking unit to a core temperature T1 at a pressure P1 for a time t1, transferring said nuts to a sterilizing line, said sterilizing line adapted to permit the transport of said nuts through a sequence of process elements, said sequence of process elements comprising a reservoir, at least one feed pump, a consecutive arrangement of heat exchangers, and a filling machine and/or an aseptic tank, and sterilizing said nuts in said sterilizing line.

The present invention discloses a method of sterilizing whole nuts includes pre-cooking said nuts in a pre-cooking unit to a core temperature T1 at a pressure P1 for a time t1, transferring said nuts to a sterilizing line, said sterilizing line adapted to permit the transport of said nuts through a sequence of process elements, said sequence of process elements comprising a reservoir, at least one feed pump, a consecutive arrangement of heat exchangers, and a filling machine and/or an aseptic tank, and sterilizing said nuts in said sterilizing line.

Systems and methods are provided for a system for extracting volatile components from produce. In an embodiment, a conveying mechanism is configured to transit produce from a first point to a second point, where a peel of the produce is penetrated during said transit such that a portion of volatile components in the produce peel are released from the peel as a vapor. A hood is positioned over the conveying mechanism for capturing the vapor, where the system is configured to extract at least a portion of the volatile components of the vapor captured via the hood.

Systems and methods are provided for a system for extracting volatile components from produce. In an embodiment, a conveying mechanism is configured to transit produce from a first point to a second point, where a peel of the produce is penetrated during said transit such that a portion of volatile components in the produce peel are released from the peel as a vapor. A hood is positioned over the conveying mechanism for capturing the vapor, where the system is configured to extract at least a portion of the volatile components of the vapor captured via the hood.