Development and Evaluation of a Mechanized Destalking System for Dry Chilli Processing
Srinivas G. *
Department of Food Engineering, DSLD, College of Horticulture, Devihosur, Haveri (581110), UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.
Geeta, H. P.
Department of Food Process Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, UAS, Raichur (581110), Karnataka, India.
Nagaraja G.
Department of Agriculture Engineering, College of Horticulture, Munirabad, Koppal UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka (583233), India.
Shoba Hugar
Department of Agriculture Engineering, College of Horticulture, Munirabad, Koppal UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka (583233), India.
Kiran Nagajjanavar
Department of Food Engineering, DSLD, College of Horticulture, Devihosur, Haveri (581110), UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
India is the leading global producer, consumer, and exporter of chilli (Capsicum annuum), yet the destalking of dry chilli remains a labor-intensive and health-hazardous operation. Manual removal of the calyx and stalk increases labor costs, exposes workers to respiratory ailments, and limits the adoption of post-harvest mechanization. To overcome these challenges, this research aimed to develop and evaluate the performance of a mechanized destalking system for dry chilli processing. The system consists of a perforated rotating trammel cylinder, a fixed sharp blade, internal baffles, collectors, and a 1.5 HP motor regulated through a variable frequency drive. As chillies rotate inside the perforated cylinder, the stalks entangle and are slit by the blade, allowing continuous separation. The machine achieved a maximum capacity of 60.83 kg/h, 83.80% destalking efficiency, 4.4% breakage, and 0.62 kWh energy consumption. Optimal performance occurred at 10.37% moisture content, 61.67 kg/h feed rate, 5° inclination, and 15 rpm, with an overall desirability of 0.78.
Keywords: Chilli, health-hazardous operation, labor-intensive, mechanized destalking system