Development and performance optimization of a taro (Colocasia esculenta) peeling machine for enhanced efficiency in small-scale farming

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Engineering
• Food Processing Technology

Background:

• Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a staple food prone to skin irritation from its peel's alkaloid mucus.
• Manual peeling causes itchy skin, oxidation, and undesirable color/flavor changes in taro.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize a prototype machine for efficient and safe taro peeling.
• To address the challenges of manual taro peeling, including skin irritation and product degradation.

Main Methods:

• A taro peeling machine was designed, incorporating a peeling groove, brush rollers, water spraying, and a control system.
• Optimization of peeling involved testing variables such as rotating disc speed, peeling duration, and batch load.

Main Results:

• Optimized peeling conditions (102 rpm disc speed, 87 s duration, 1.7 kg load) achieved 93% peeling efficiency.
• The machine demonstrated 8.3% material loss and 84% peeling effectiveness.
• The developed machine is suitable for various taro shapes and small to medium-sized industries.

Conclusions:

• The taro peeling machine significantly reduces labor intensity and minimizes waste.
• The optimized machine enhances peeling efficiency and maintains taro quality, making it ideal for industrial applications.