Development and performance evaluation of multi-fruit slicer cum dicer

Abstract

Importance of minimally processed fruits has already attained a very stable position in the market. Fresh-cut products are preferred over processed one because consumers are now aware of the commonly nutritional losses, desired sensory attributes such as colour and flavour and increased demand for „natural- like‟ attributes. The cut fruits are also used in preparation of chips, dry products salads and a wide variety of products. But the cutting of fruits and other vegetables were done manually which was found to be a difficult job at the same time affected the quality and uniformity of the products. Thus, the need of the hour was to develop a multi-fruit slicer cum dicer which could minimise all the mentioned problems. The fruits to be sliced or diced were fed into the machine using a belt conveyor towards the blade drums. The conveying drums properly guided the fruits into the blade. Later, the slices and dices could be collected from the collecting tray. The capacity of the machine was 25 kg/hr and could be used very easily by common people.