Design and development of a mechanized cashew processing system

Gregorio, R.P.; Bulaong, M.C.; Jallorina, B.G.; Flores, E.D.

Design and development of a mechanized cashew processing system

2001

Gregorio, R.P. | Bulaong, M.C. | Jallorina, B.G. | Flores, E.D. (Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension, Munoz, Nueva Ecija (Philippines))

A drum roaster, a prototype-mechanized sheller and cashew peeler prototype was fabricated at the BPRE [Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension] to evaluate their performances. Results of the drum roasting trials using various roasting times indicated that humidified sample (4 kg nuts) roasted for 30 minutes gave the highest whole kernel recovery (79.1%) using BPRE mechanized sheller. Samples which were not humidified and roasted for 30 minutes gave low whole kernel recoveries (11.5%). For the prototype sheller, its capacity was measured at an average of 137 kg/ha at seed index of 5.6/g/nut. Laboratory trials showed that samples pre-conditioned for 12 hours and roasted in hot oil for 1.5 minutes obtained the highest whole kernel recovery. It required two units each for the prototype sheller to process 240 kg/day of cashew nuts compared with the Indian sheller in the Lumbia Women Self-Help Association (LSWSA) in Cagayan de Oro City, which processes the same load. Laboratory tests showed that among the pre-treatments considered (sundrying, overdrying and steaming), ovendrying exhibited the highest whole nut recovery. Cashew kernels exposed in thermal stress for a longer time produced more broken kernels than whole ones. Ovendrying with the least time of four hours showed that highest whole kernel recovery of 37%. Steaming cashew kernel for nine minutes before peeling generated the highest peeling efficiency of 70% while sundrying for five days gave the lowest value of 23% efficiency. Though steaming resulted in the highest peeling efficiency, it produced the lowest whole kernel recovery

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