ENHANCING PEELING EFFICIENCY IN GINGER PROCESSING: A MODIFIED MECHANICAL APPROACH

Izuchukwu John OKAFOR; Adeyemi  ADEMOLA; Moruff Abidemi  QUADRI; Idris  ZAKARIYAH; Abdulsamad Opeyemi  SULEIMAN; Afeez  ADEWALE; Ayomide Amos  KEHINDE; Fouad Ayinde  WILLOUGHBY; Terdoo Timothy  ANULE

doi:10.5937/jpea30-65482

Izuchukwu John OKAFOR Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8668-3155
Adeyemi ADEMOLA Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9755-6688
Moruff Abidemi QUADRI Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7337-188X
Idris ZAKARIYAH Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1242-7867
Abdulsamad Opeyemi SULEIMAN Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6452-7780
Afeez ADEWALE Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7028-9237
Ayomide Amos KEHINDE Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Fouad Ayinde WILLOUGHBY National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, (NCAM), ILORIN, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1353-0788
Terdoo Timothy ANULE National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, (NCAM), ILORIN, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7566-867X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/jpea30-65482

Keywords: Ginger peeling machine, hydraulic action, brush-based mechanism, peeling efficiency, throughput capacity, postharvest engineering.

Abstract

The growing demand for ginger in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries has exposed the limitations of manual peeling, which is labor‑intensive, time‑consuming, and prone to product loss. This study presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a locally sourced ginger peeling machine for small‑to‑medium scale processors. The machine was constructed using 3 mm angle iron for the frame and a galvanized steel drum (Ø410 mm × 430 mm, thickness 1.5 mm) as the peeling chamber. A 6 hp prime mover operating at 2400 rpm provided power through a bevel gear (1:1) and pulley system (1:6), driving four paddles fitted with brushes arranged 180° apart. Water was introduced at a ratio of 1:2 (ginger to water) to aid peeling and lifting action. Performance evaluation was conducted with batch sizes of 10–30 kg and peeling durations of 10–20 minutes. Parameters measured included peeling efficiency, product damage rate, throughput capacity, and labor savings. Results showed an optimum peeling efficiency of 79.4% at 20 kg batch size and 15 minutes duration, with product damage kept below 10%. Throughput capacity ranged between 60–90 kg/hr, and labor savings were significant, reducing processing time by ~75% and manpower by ~60% compared to manual peeling. The study concludes that the machine effectively bridges the gap between manual and industrial systems, offering a cost‑effective, hygienic, and efficient solution for ginger processing. Its reliance on locally available materials ensures affordability and ease of maintenance, while its performance demonstrates potential for adoption in rural and semi‑industrial contexts.

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