Professional Documents
Culture Documents
GVP 30 IJCMAS
GVP 30 IJCMAS
GVP 30 IJCMAS
G.V. Prasanna Kumar*, C.B. Khobragade, Rakesh Kumar Gupta and Kamran Raza
*Corresponding author
ABSTRACT
Keywords
A batch type ginger washing-cum-peeling machine was developed and investigated for its
Bleached ginger, use in the production line of bleached dry ginger. The machine used 2 hard nylon brush
Material loss, Non- rollers that rotated at 200 rpm in opposite direction. The rhizomes got lifted and tumbled
dominated sorting, on the rollers, and the application of jets of water removed the soil and other foreign
Peeling efficiency, material from the surface of rhizomes and about 59% of the total peels. Output capacity of
Rough peeled
the machine was 13.86 kg/h with about 2% loss of edible material. The machine required
ginger, Washing
efficiency
one unskilled labourer to feed 3 kg fresh harvested ginger rhizomes at every 12 minute
interval and collect the rough peeled rhizomes after each batch of operation. Use of
Article Info machine in the production line of bleached dry ginger resulted in the saving of 42.3% of
labour and 46.7% time involved in manual washing and peeling. Ginger washing-cum-
Accepted: peeling machine is recommended for small processing centres, commercial kitchens and
07 January 2019
Available Online: restaurants where there is need of about 3.4 kg peeled rhizomes/day.
10 February 2019
722
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
surface contaminates the rhizomes and makes batch type small washer with holding capacity
it unsuitable for consumption (Peter and of 10 kg for washing root vegetables like
Zachariah, 2000; Emers, 2012). In carrot and raddish. The washer consisted of a
conventional washing of ginger, growers use detopper, a stainless steel washing drum, a
big perforated crates or tubs (Emers, 2012; centre shaft with holes for water spraying and
Ghuman et al., 2014). The rhizomes are put in a hand wheel for the manual rotation of drum.
the perforated crates and are washed using a The washing drum was provided with matting
jet stream of water. The crops have to be of various materials and thickness for the
regularly shuffled with hand for proper effective cleaning of vegetables. The washing
cleaning. This is time consuming and labour and cleaning efficiencies were 97 and 91% for
intensive task. Pressure washing is efficient carrot and 96 and 90% for raddish,
and tends to reduce the microbial load (Pruthi, respectively using 3.5 mm thick plastic
1992). Traditionally, rhizomes are killed by matting. Choi et al., (2014) developed a root
immersion in boiling water for 10 minutes. crop washer that consisted of 2 brushes
This also inactivates enzymatic processes rolling in opposite direction and a water
(Sutarno et al., 1999; Weiss, 2002). delivery system. The brushes were operated
manually by leg cranking at 6 rpm. The
In the production of dried ginger, peeling is machine effectively removed the surface dirt
done in addition to washing to remove the from carrots with minimal damage to greens
outer skin. Peeling or scraping reduces drying and skin. Ghuman et al., (2014) reported the
time, and minimizes mold growth and development of an electric motor powered
fermentation (Pruthi, 1992). Dry ginger is root crop washer for potatoes, carrots, radish,
valued for its aroma, flavour and pungency etc. The muddy root crops were put inside the
(Balakrishnan, 2005). Most oil constituents root crop washer drum. The drum was then
are concentrated below the epidermal tissues. rotated by a motor and water under pressure
Excessive scraping removes some of the oil was supplied in the drum. Due to the rotation
constituents, and reduces pungency and of the drum and the continuous supply of
aroma quality (Sutarno et al., 1999; Weiss, water, the soil and clay particles were
2002). In India, rhizomes are peeled only on removed off the root crops. The muddy water
the flat sides and much of the skin in between fell down through the slits provided in the
the fingers remains intact. The dry ginger so drum. To remove the dirt and other foreign
produced is known as the rough peeled or materials from root crops in large scale
unbleached ginger (IISR, 2015). Jamaica processing industries, roll-type cleaners are
produces clean peeled whole dried gingers used. The roll-type cleaners provide a
(Zachariah, 2008). scrubbing action. Emers (2012) reported a
barrel washer (Grindstone Farm design) for
Cleaning and drying procedures should be cleaning beets, rutabagas and turnips. It could
done as fast as possible after harvest to ensure also be recommended for washing all root
minimum loss from microbial contamination, crops.
mold growth and fermentation. Mechanical
washers, slicers, and solar or hot air driers The mechanical washers developed for the
help to minimize contamination from dust root crops could be used for washing ginger
during postharvest handling operations rhizomes as well. However, preparation of
(Weiss, 2002). Researchers have developed dried ginger requires washing as well as
mechanical devices for washing root crops. peeling. Hand peeling is a skilled and time
Ambrose and Annamalai (2013) developed a consuming operation. The skilled labour
723
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
724
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
725
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
experiment. Full factorial design of (i) Overall efficiency, (ii) Washing efficiency,
experiment was conducted with 3 replications (iii) Peeling efficiency and (iv) Percent loss of
for each combination of rotary speed of brush edible material.
rollers, batch size and holding time.
They were determined as follows:
Procedure
Weight of fresh harvested ginger fed to
(i) Fresh harvested ginger (variety, Nadia) machine per batch =W1.
rhizomes were collected from a market
garden. Pump was started and water was Weight of ginger rhizomes collected at the
applied at the rate of 13 L/min. The electric outlet after machine washing and peeling =
motor of the machine was started. The brush W2.
rollers were operated at the specific rotary
speed. Weight of ginger rhizomes after the complete
washing by hand = W3.
(ii) A batch of fresh harvested ginger of
weight W1 was fed to the washing tank. They Weight of ginger rhizomes after the complete
were subjected to washing and peeling for a washing and peeling by hand = W4.
specific period. Just before the completion of
holding time, the sliding door of the tank was W1 = G + TS + TP (1)
opened, and the ginger rhizomes were pushed
out of the washing tank. The washed and where, G = Weight of ginger rhizomes
peeled rhizomes were collected. without any soil and peels on the surface.
(iii) The weight of ginger rhizomes collected TS = Total weight of soil adhered to rhizomes.
at the outlet (W2) was determined using a Soil is partly washed away in the machine
digital weighing balance. (MS), and the rest is removed manually by
hand (HS).
(iv) Soil and other foreign material if any
present on the rhizomes was manually washed TP = Total weight of peels on the rhizomes.
using clean water. The weight of completely Peels are partly removed by the machine
washed rhizomes (free of soil) was (MP), and the rest is removed manually by
determined (W3). hand (HP).
(v) The peels on the rhizomes not removed by Total weight of soil adhered to rhizomes, TS =
machine were manually removed using a MS + HS (2)
knife. The weight of completely washed and
peeled rhizomes (free of soil and peels) was where, MS = Weight of soil washed away in
determined (W4). the machine.
726
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
where, MP=Weight of peels removed by the Theoretical percent soil attached on fresh
machine.
HP = Weight of peels removed manually by ginger rhizomes = (12)
hand.
Theoretical percent peel on clean ginger
W2 = G + HS + HP (4)
W3 = G + HP (5) rhizomes = (13)
W4 = G (6)
The values of theoretical percent soil attached
on fresh ginger rhizomes and theoretical
Overall efficiency = (7) percent peel on clean ginger rhizomes was
used for the calculation of percent loss of
Washing efficiency = (8) edible material in all the experiment trials.
The mechanical operation was accomplished The best combination of rotary speed of brush
manually to determine the percent loss of rollers, batch size and holding time (machine
edible material during mechanical washing operating parameters) that resulted in higher
and peeling. washing and peeling efficiencies with lower
loss of edible material was identified by non-
Fresh harvested ginger rhizomes (of weight dominated sorting (Deb et al., 2002).
W1) from the same lot were collected. They
were manually washed to remove all soil and In the present study, washing and peeling
other foreign material. Weight of clean efficiencies have to be maximized, and
rhizomes (W5) was noted. The rhizomes were percent loss of edible material has to be
completely peeled using a knife. Care was minimized. In order to convert it into a
taken not to remove the edible material from problem of minimization of all the
the rhizomes. Weight of the peeled rhizomes performance indices, reciprocal of washing
(W6) was noted. and peeling efficiencies was considered. Steps
involved in non-dominated sorting are given
Percent loss of edible material during below:
mechanical washing and peeling
i. One individual combination of
machine operating parameters (rotary speed
= (11) of brush roller, batch size and holding time), p
along with performance indices (washing
where, W4 is the weight of completely peeled efficiency, peeling efficiency and percent loss
rhizomes after mechanical washing and of edible material) was taken up.
peeling.
ii. The performance indices for this
727
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
728
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
requirement for complete peeling of rhizomes material with holding time and batch size at
was noted down. the selected rotary speed of brush rollers is
shown in Figure 5. Washing and peeling
Cost of mechanical washing and complete efficiencies and per cent loss of edible
peeling of ginger rhizome was determined. material increased with increase in holding
Initial cost of the prototype machine was time and rotary speed of brush rollers, and
calculated by adding together the cost of raw decreased with increase in batch size.
materials used for fabrication, price of electric
motor and the centrifugal pump, and labour As the increase in washing and peeling
charges for the fabrication. Initial cost of efficiencies is accompanied by increase in
ginger washing-cum-peeling machine was loss of edible material, there exist a set of
INR 46000. Cost of operation included fixed machine operating parameters that define the
cost and variable cost (Singh, 2017). Fixed best trade off between maximizing washing
cost included depreciation, interest on capital, and peeling efficiencies and minimizing the
insurance and taxes, and shelter cost. Variable loss of edible material.
cost included the cost of electric energy
consumption, lubrication cost, repair and Peeling efficiency and percent loss of edible
maintenance cost, and labour charges for the material were affected by main and
operation of machine and complete manual interaction of rotary speed of brush rollers,
peeling of rough peeled rhizomes. The life of batch size and holding time (Table 1).
washing-cum-peeling machine was estimated Washing efficiency was affected by main
to be 10 years. The annual rate of effect of rotary speed of brush rollers, batch
depreciation, interest on capital, insurance and size and holding time, and interaction of
taxes, housing, and repair and maintenance rotary speed of brush rollers × batch size and
were assumed to be 10, 12, 2, 1 and 10% of rotary speed of brush rollers × batch size ×
the initial cost, respectively. The labour holding time.
wages for the unskilled labourer was INR 280
per day (8 hours). F values associated with washing efficiency
was highest for holding time indicating that
Cost of mechanical washing and complete the holding time had the highest influence on
peeling of ginger rhizome was compared with washing efficiency.
conventional manual washing and peeling.
Graphical method was used to identify the The rotary speed of brush rollers had the
minimum number of hours of annual use highest influence on peeling efficiency and
required to justify the use of the ginger percent loss of edible material.
washing-cum-peeling machine as a
supplement to the conventional manual The interaction of rotary speed of brush
washing and peeling for the preparation of rollers × batch size × holding time had the
bleached dry ginger. significant effect on all three performance
indices. Hence, no one combination of
Results and Discussion machine operating parameters can satisfy the
objective of maximizing washing and peeling
Effect of machine operating parameters on efficiencies and minimizing the loss of edible
performance indices material. Hence, a set of machine operating
parameters was identified by non-dominated
Variation in observed washing efficiency, sorting technique that defines best trade off
peeling efficiency and percent loss of edible among the competing requirements.
729
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
Best combination of machine operating hour during confirmation test, and 10%
parameters for ginger washing-cum-peeing sample of output was collected for the
machine determination of performance indices. On an
average, 98.57% washing efficiency, 58.97%
The non-dominated set of combination of peeling efficiency and 1.91% loss of edible
machine operating parameters of the ginger material was observed. The observed
washing-cum-peeling machine is shown in performance indices were within the range of
Table 2. Any one of the combinations of the 95% confidence interval. This validated
machine operating parameters can be taken. that the continuous operation of the ginger
Rotary speed of 200 rpm of the brush rollers, washing-cum-peeling machine for one hour
batch size of 3.0 kg and holding time of 12 do not significantly affect the performance of
minutes was taken as the best machine the machine.
operating parameters considering that this
combination of machine operating parameters A sample of the ginger rhizomes when fed to
results in the output capacity of 15 kg/h with the machine and the same after mechanical
almost complete washing (99% washing washing and peeling are shown in Figure 6.
efficiency), 58% peeling and less than 2% The machine removed all the soil from the
loss of edible material (1.92% loss of edible rhizomes. It removed the peels only from the
material). flat top and bottom surfaces. It did not remove
peels from the curved surfaces, sides of the
The average values of washing efficiency rhizomes and in between fingers of the
(99%), peeling efficiency (58%) and percent rhizomes. However, quality of rough peeling
loss of edible material (1.92%) were used for was satisfactory for the production of rough
the determination of 95% confidence interval. peeled dry ginger.
Substituting = 4.02 (from
statistical tables), dftotal= 26, MSSerror= 0.092, Results of feasibility test in the production
0.439 and 0.015 for washing efficiency, line of bleached ginger
peeling efficiency and percent loss of edible
material, respectively (from Table 1), N= 81, The output capacity of the ginger washing-
and R= 5, CI was 0.44, 1.09 and 0.18 for cum-peeling machine was 15 kg fresh
washing efficiency, peeling efficiency and harvested ginger rhizomes per hour or 13.86
percent loss of edible material, respectively. kg rough peeled ginger rhizomes per hour.
The 95% confidence interval for washing Operation of the machine required one
efficiency was 98.56–99.44%, peeling unskilled labourer. Labour requirement for
efficiency was 56.91–59.09% and percent loss washing and rough peeling of 100 kg
of edible material was 1.74–2.10%. rhizomes was 7.21 man-h. Electric current
requirement by the 3-phase induction motor
Performance of the ginger washing-cum- and single phase electric motor for 230 V
peeling machine supply was 7A and 2.5A, respectively.
Electrical energy consumption for washing
Results of one hour continuous performance and rough peeling of 100 kg rhizomes by 3-
(confirmation experiments) conducted at the phase induction motor was 17.10 kW-h and
best settings of the machine operating single phase electric motor was 3.53 kW-h.
parameters (rotary speed of 200 rpm of the Labour requirement for the complete peeling
brush rollers, batch size of 3.0 kg and holding of rough peeled rhizomes was found to be 7
time of 12 minutes) is shown in Table 3. The man-h per hour of machine output (including
machine was operated continuously for one 20% time loss).
730
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
Table.1 Analysis of variance of washing and peeling efficiencies and percent loss of edible
material
Source df Washing Peeling efficiency Percent loss of
efficiency edible material
MSS F MSS F MSS F
Rotary speed of brush 2 23.21 252.02** 2420.73 5510.75** 226.03 14866.53**
rollers (N)
Batch size (W) 2 10.64 115.52** 535.07 1218.09** 20.41 1342.47**
Holding time (T) 2 36.62 397.70** 1405.56 3199.73** 36.37 2392.14**
N×W 4 0.85 9.21** 13.93 31.72** 6.49 426.93**
NS
N×T 4 0.17 1.83 58.80 133.86** 12.35 811.99**
NS
W×T 4 0.22 2.38 7.93 18.05** 0.55 35.93**
N × W ×T 8 0.62 6.70** 2.53 5.76** 0.44 29.12**
Error 54 0.09 0.44 0.02
** =P<0.01, NS = Non significant
731
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
1. Washing tank
2. Perforated pipe
3. Sliding door 1 2
4. Outlet for washed and peeled rhizomes 3
5. Centrifugal Pump
6. Flexible pipe
7. Chain drive with idlers for brush rollers 4
8. Power transmission system
9. Electric motor 8
9 7
4 2
1. Roller
2. Support frame
6 3. Sprocket on roller shaft
4. Sprocket on roller shaft
5. Idler sprocket
6. Idler sprocket
5
732
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
2 5
3
1
2
4 1
733
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
Figure.5 Variation in washing efficiency, peeling efficiency and percent loss of edible material
with holding time and batch size at the selected rotary speed of brush rollers
Rotary speed of brush roller = 150 rpm Rotary speed of brush roller = 200 rpm Rotary speed of brush roller = 250 rpm
100
Batch size = 3.0 kg
99 Batch size = 3.5 kg
Washing efficiency, %
97
96
95
94
8 12 16 8 12 16 8 12 16
Holding time, min Holding time, min Holding time, min
Rotary speed of brush roller = 150 rpm Rotary speed of brush roller = 200 rpm Rotary speed of brush roller = 250 rpm
84
Batch size = 3.0 kg
76 Batch size = 3.5 kg
Peeling efficiency, %
60
52
44
36
8 12 16 8 12 16 8 12 16
Holding time, min Holding time, min Holding time, min
Rotary speed of brush roller = 150 rpm Rotary speed of brush roller = 200 rpm Rotary speed of brush roller = 250 rpm
12
Percent loss of edible material, %
0
8 12 16 8 12 16 8 12 16
Holding time, min Holding time, min Holding time, min
734
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
Figure.6 Sample of ginger rhizomes before feeding to the washing-cum-peeling machine, and
after mechanical washing and rough peeling
Figure.7 Comparison of cost of mechanical washing and complete peeling with manual washing
and peeling of ginger rhizomes at various levels of annual use
14000
Mechanical washing and peeling
Cost of of washing and complete peeling of ginger
8000
6000
4000
2000
This amounts to labour requirement of 50.51 The cost of production of bleached ginger using
man-h/100 kg of machine output. washing-cum-peeling machine in the production
line at various levels of annual use is shown in
735
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
Figure 7. Cost of mechanical washing and In conclusions, an electric motor powered batch
peeling decreased with increase in annual use. type ginger washing-cum-peeling machine was
Cost of manual washing and peeling at various developed. It had a washing tank, cylindrical
rates of work output is also shown in Figure 7. brush rollers, water application system, and an
Assuming output capacity of manual washing electric motor and power transmission system.
and peeling as 600, 800 and 1000 g/h, cost of Fresh harvested ginger rhizomes were lifted and
mechanical washing and peeling was similar to tumbled on the brush rollers rotating in opposite
manual washing and peeling when the annual direction. The abrasive action of the roller
use of the machine was 26.0, 43.4 and 72.3 brushes along with application of jet of water on
hours, respectively. This annual use refers to the rhizomes completely washed and rough
processing of 390, 651 and 1085 kg of fresh peeled the rhizomes. Performance indices were
harvested ginger rhizomes per year. Ginger developed and the best operating parameters of
washing-cum-peeling machine can be the machine were identified by non-dominated
recommended for use in small processing sorting technique. A 200 rpm rotary speed of
centres, commercial food centres and the brush rollers, 3 kg of batch feeding of
restaurants where the annual requirement of rhizomes and 12 minutes of holding time in the
completely peeled ginger is more than 1010 kg washing tank was found to be the best operating
or about 3.4 kg/day. This amount to operation parameters of the machine that resulted in
of the machine for about one batch per day. 98.57% washing efficiency, 58.97% peeling
Output capacity of the machine can be increased efficiency and 1.91% loss of edible material.
by increasing the length of the nylon brush The output capacity of the machine was 13.86
rollers and applying water throughout the length kg rough peeled rhizomes per hour. Labour
of roller. requirement for washing and rough peeling of
100 kg rhizomes was 7.21 man-h. Total
If the annual use of ginger washing-cum- electrical energy consumption for washing and
peeling machine is 72 hours, cost of washing rough peeling of 100 kg rhizomes was 20.63
and complete peeling is INR 3500 per 100 kg kW-h.
fresh rhizomes. Total fixed cost, electricity
charges, repair and maintenance cost and labour Ginger washing-cum-peeling machine
charges after the operation of machine for developed had the potential to use in the
complete peeling of 100 kg rough peeled production line of bleached dry ginger as
rhizomes was INR 853, INR 144, INR 460 and supplement to manual washing and peeling. The
INR 1768, respectively. Total labour machine can be recommended for use in small
requirement for washing and complete peeling processing centres, commercial food centres
of 100 kg fresh rhizomes is 57.72 man-h. Use of and restaurants. Output capacity of the machine
machine improved the labour productivity. can be increased by increasing the length of the
Mechanical washing and peeling by use of nylon brush rollers and applying water
machine in the production line of bleached throughout the length of roller.
ginger resulted in the saving of 42.3% of labour
and 46.7% time involved in manual washing References
and peeling of ginger rhizomes.
Agrwal, Y.C., Hiran, A. and Galundia, A.S.
The peeled rhizomes were washed and dried in 1987. Ginger peeling machine
sun uniformly for one week. The dry rhizomes parameters. Agricultural Mechanization
were rubbed together in order to get rid of the in Asia, Africa and Latin America18:59–
last bit of the skin or dirt. To get good 62.
appearance, peeled rhizomes were soaked in 2% Ambrose, D.C.P. and Annamalai, S.J.K. 2013.
limewater for 6 hours and then dried, and this is Development of a manually operated root
known as bleached dry ginger. crop washer. African Journal of
736
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 722-737
Prasanna Kumar, G.V., C.B. Khobragade, Rakesh Kumar Gupta and Kamran Raza. 2019.
Development and Performance Evaluation of an Electric Motor Powered Ginger Washing-Cum-
Peeling Machine. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 8(02): 722-737.
doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2019.802.084
737