Guwahati: The northeast region of India is rich in native plant products, but many of them remain underutilized due to a lack of efficient postharvest processing techniques. One such fruit is Dillenia indica, commonly known as elephant apple. Found in several Indian states and other countries, this fruit has numerous health benefits, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, and immune-boosting properties.
Despite its medicinal value, elephant apple is rarely used on a commercial scale due to the difficulties in processing it. The fruit has thick, tough sepals that must be separated individually, making it time-consuming and labour-intensive.
Traditional cutting methods involve using a knife, taking around 105–115 seconds per fruit, depending on skill. This not only slows down production but also poses risks of injury. Inefficient cutting can lead to fruit wastage, further discouraging its large-scale use. The lack of efficient processing methods has kept elephant apples from becoming a mainstream ingredient in the food and pharmaceutical industries, despite their vast potential.
To address these challenges, scientists from the Central Institute of Technology Kokrajhar, Centurion University of Technology and Management, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, Fu Jen Catholic University (Taiwan), and Karpagam Academy of Higher Education (Coimbatore) have developed an innovative machine—the Automatic Core Cutter (ACC). Their study was recently published in the Foods journal.
The study, titled Development and Performance Analysis of an Automatic Core Cutter (ACC) for Elephant Apple (Dillenia indica L.) Processing, was conducted by Dr. Deepanka Saikia, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, under the guidance of Dr. Prakash Kumar Nayak, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Engineering and Technology, Central Institute of Technology Kokrajhar, Assam.
In 2022, a foot-operated cutter was developed, which processes 115–130 kg per hour. This advancement paved the way for the development of the ACC.
This breakthrough technology removes the fruit’s tough core with minimal effort, allowing for faster and safer processing. While manual cutting methods process only 12–15 kg per hour, and even foot-operated cutters manage just 115–130 kg per hour, the ACC can handle an impressive 270–300 kg per hour. The machine is designed with food-grade stainless steel parts, ensuring hygiene and safety. It also reduces waste, with an 85.68% recovery rate of the valuable sepals compared to just 65.76% with manual methods.
The ACC consists of a supporting frame, core cutter, circular disc with fruit holders, a lever, collecting tray, and an electric motor. The machine operates by placing the fruit in designated holders, where a rotating mechanism ensures precise cutting. The automated system ensures that the fruit is cored efficiently with minimal human intervention, significantly reducing labor efforts. Additionally, the machine’s design minimizes wastage by ensuring a cleaner separation of the core and sepals, which can then be used for further processing.
The ACC isn’t just faster—it’s also cost-effective. According to the study, the machine can generate an annual net profit of INR 2.35 million. It has a high benefit-cost ratio of 1.85:1 and a return on investment of 197.34%, making it a smart investment for those involved in elephant apple processing.
Farmers and small-scale businesses in regions where elephant apples are abundant, especially in Northeast India, could greatly benefit from this technology. The improved processing speed and efficiency could encourage wider commercial use of the fruit, which has valuable medicinal properties. By making elephant apple processing more accessible, the ACC could open doors to new business opportunities, including the production of jams, juices, pickles, and medicinal extracts.
Beyond its direct benefits to farmers, the ACC could have broader economic implications. By streamlining elephant apple processing, this innovation could boost local economies by creating jobs in fruit processing and value-added product manufacturing. Additionally, by reducing fruit wastage, the machine supports sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring that more of each harvested fruit is put to use.
The researchers believe this machine could be adapted for other tough-skinned fruits in the future. Fruits with similar tough exteriors, such as jackfruit or certain citrus varieties, could benefit from similar processing techniques. Further refinements and collaborations with industry partners could lead to even more efficient designs and wider adoption of the technology.
Also Read: How forests strengthen indigenous communities across Meghalaya
You just read a story that took days to report. Help us keep our reporters on the ground in the Northeast.
Ad-free reading, support and keep important stories alive
Support once (any amount)
Scan to pay via UPI