Research Article
Ndubisi A. Aviara, Abubakar A.
Abstract
A multi-fruit juice extractor was designed, constructed and evaluated for performance using pineapple, orange and melon fruits. The machine was designed to operate on the principle of compressive and shear squeezing force exerted through an auger conveying system. It consists of a tool frame, juice extraction encasement, screw conveying tapered shaft, perforated screen base, collection chute, gear box, and electric motor. The design analysis of the components provided the data that were used in the sizing, fabrication and assembling of the machine. Performance tests were carried out using pineapple, orange and water melon that were introduced into the machine as peeled or unpeeled fruits. The performance indicators considered were percentage juice yield, extraction efficiency and extraction loss. Results of performance analysis showed that type of fruit and peel condition significantly influenced the performance indices at 1 % level of significance. Percentage juice yield for peeled and unpeeled pineapple, orange and water melon was 79.1 and 68.7 %, 77 and 69.2 %, and 89.5 and 89.7 % respectively. Extraction efficiency was respectively 96.9 %, 94.3%, and 96.6 % for peeled pineapple, oranges and water melon, and their respective unpeeled value was 83.6 %, 84.2 %, and 97.1 %. The extraction loss of peeled and unpeeled fruits was respectively 2.1 and 2.7 % (pineapple), 2.1 and 2.5 % (orange), and 2.9 and 2.6 % (water melon). The machine is simple to operate and maintain, therefore it is recommended for small holder and local fruit juice processors