DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE SWEET POTATO PEELING MACHINE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The development of an efficient sweet potato peeling machine is vital for Nigeria, where sweet potato is a key crop in the agricultural and food processing sectors. Traditional methods of peeling, typically manual, are labour-intensive, time-consuming, and contribute to substantial food wastage due to uneven peeling and reduced yield. This research presents the development, and evaluation of a mechanized sweet potato peeling machine tailored to the specific requirements of small- and medium-scale processors in Nigeria.
The machine utilizes an abrasive peeling mechanism, incorporating locally available materials to ensure cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance. The design process involved selection of suitable materials and testing, aiming to achieve high peeling efficiency, minimal flesh loss, and operational simplicity. The prototype machine was evaluated based on peeling efficiency, throughput, and power consumption,
The developed sweet potato peeling machine achieved a peeling efficiency of 70.44 % and throughput rate of 60 kg/h. The machine's performance metrics indicate a significant improvement over manual methods, supporting its potential to enhance productivity in the Nigerian sweet potato value chain.
This study demonstrates that the developed peeling machine can alleviate labour constraints, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote the growth of Nigeria’s food processing industry.
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