The Borrell SmartSorter^® AMX machine analyzes each blanched almond kernel and detects and rejects only the bitter ones continuously and on an industrial scale, being easily integrated into existing production lines.

Existing detection methods for bitter almond kernels (those with a very high amygdalin content) are slow, test only a small sample and are destructive (the sample has to be destroyed for analysis), so a new detection system is needed that can be used on an industrial scale and meets certain requirements demanded by the sector.

There are non-destructive technologies on the market capable of identifying certain problems that allow the quality of almond kernels to be evaluated. Some of them can work online, while others analyze a pre-selected sample. These technologies are used to identify foreign matter and some defects in almond kernels and other nuts. However, there is only one industrial-scale machine that can discriminate almond kernels according to their amygdalin content on an industrial line, which has been designed and built by JOSÉ BORRELL, S.A.

The Borrell SmartSorter® AMX machine was born from the research and development of JOSÉ BORRELL, S.A. in collaboration with the Atomic Spectrometry Group of the University of Alicante. Its working technology is patented and shows high levels of both sensibility and specificity in classifying the almond kernels.

The machine is capable of detecting and rejecting blanched bitter almonds with a high amygdalin content, present in many traditional Mediterranean almond varieties. It was introduced to the market in 2023 and is currently being used in industrial production lines.