DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHITIN EXTRACTING MACHINE FROM CRAB SHELL WASTES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOPESTICIDES
Authors: Aclan, Mark Bryan Z., Agito, Chenelle D., Almares, Christian Nouel D.
October 2017
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A chitin-extracting machine prototype was developed to process dried flower crab shells, with a focus on effective design, proper dimensions, and efficient use of materials. During early testing, the machine’s ideal operating conditions were identified: a hammer mill speed of 1730 rpm, 11 hours of operation, and two water baths each after HCl and NaOH treatments to clean the shells, aiming for a chitin yield of 14%. Performance tests showed the machine extracts chitin at a rate of 48.8 g/hr, achieving a 12.92% yield and a 92.26% extraction efficiency. The final product’s pH was a neutral 7.06 after two washes.
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Lower hammer mill speeds were found to collect fewer crushed shell particles and small losses occurred during crushing and transferring. Overall, the machine performed well, but potential adjustments to the prototype, as well as exploring alternative chitin sources and production methods, could further improve efficiency.
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DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A RICE STRAW-BASED MUSHROOM GROWING SUBSTRATE PASTEURIZING AND COOLING MIXER​
Authors: Aguirre, Nowell Michael J., Mercado, Joy Gladice C., Ramirez, Khevin A.
January 2016
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In recent years, advancements in preparing substrates, especially using rice straw, have been significant. However, rice straw often carries contaminants from previous crops, making treatment essential. The San Pedro Multi-Purpose Development Cooperative, the study’s beneficiary, learned how to prepare backyard substrates, though they found the process labor-intensive and prone to contamination. To address these challenges, researchers developed a rice straw-based pasteurizing and cooling mixer, which simplifies and enhances the substrate preparation process.
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The machine’s process includes 30 minutes of chemical pasteurization at 55–60°C, followed by a 90-minute cooling phase, creating an ideal environment for mushroom growth. Tests showed that using this method could produce 15 fruiting bags, with 8 successfully yielding mushrooms, totaling 230 grams within 25 days. Financially, the machine provides significant benefits, with estimated annual savings of Php 23,966.10, a 44.02% return on investment, and a payback period of just over two years.​​​​
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DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A FRUIT JAM MAKING MACHINE
Author: Lu, Daniel M., Magnaye, John Dexter M., Mercado, Edrian M.
May 2023
This study focuses on developing an affordable, versatile fruit jam-making machine tailored to help small-scale producers like Mrs. Agnes Briones Custodio, a dedicated jam-maker from Batangas City with over 20 years of experience. Mrs. Custodio, who has perfected jams from fruits like banana, mango, and especially ube, faces challenges using conventional machines, which are expensive and often built for single functions or specific fruits.
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This new machine combines both cooking and mashing processes, reducing labor-intensive tasks like manual stirring and mashing, which can take hours. Designed with different fruit textures in mind, the machine is calibrated to mash sticky ube at a slower speed (20 rpm) to minimize noise and vibration, while mango and banana, which are easier to mash, work efficiently at 30 rpm. Tests revealed the ideal cooking temperatures as 140°C for banana and mango jams, and 120°C for ube, with production rates reaching 5.41 kg/hr for banana, 12.37 kg/hr for mango, and 9.20 kg/hr for ube.
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To ensure quality, the jams were tested for taste, texture, appearance, and aroma, with mango jam scoring particularly well in appearance and taste. Safety checks confirmed that all jams met acceptable standards for pH levels, moisture content, and microbial counts, making them safe for sale. Built at a prototype cost of around Php 112,000, the machine offers a promising return rate of 31.09% and a payback period of just under three years. An easy-to-follow operations manual was also created to guide Mrs. Custodio and future users in safe and efficient use, making this machine a practical and valuable tool for small jam producers.