Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has developed a ‘ Continuous Aonla de-seeding machine’, in order to reduce the labour involved in removing seeds from aonla (amla) fruit.

“Removal of seed from aonla is a pre-requisite for processing the fruit into different value added products. At present the seed is being removed with the hand operated equipment of capacity 10 kg/h which is a cumbersome process. To eliminate the drudgery in the removal of seed and to increase the capacity, a continuous aonla de-seeding machine has been developed at Post Harvest Technology Centre (PHTC) of the University,”said Prof. N . Varadharaju , Head of Department of the PHTC department.

The unit consists of a feed hopper, singulating unit, metering mechanism and a seed removal unit. The aonla fruits dropping through the feed hopper are singulated by means of guide plates and endless flat belt and the metering mechanism keeps the fruits on the fruit seater of the base plate smoothly. the seed from aonla is removed by a piercing rod which is actuated with cam and gear mechanism.

The ‘continuous aonla de-seeding machine’ is yet to be licensed by the institute.

Other than the aonla de-seeder, the department has also developed a millet de-hulling machine. The machine removes the husk from the grains without any damage to the crop. The de-hulling methods which are carried out with abrasive roller type machines leads to the depletion of nutrients. The millet de-huller, designed by PHTC, TNAU,is available for commercial use now.