Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of a Honey Extracting Machine

Abstract

Abstract: One of the major factors affecting honey quality is the method adopted in its extraction from the honeycomb. Most developing countries, particularly African countries lack appropriate equipment for honey extraction and this affects their honey export potential. This research aims to fabricate honey extractor using locally available materials. The study is conducted from design to fabrication and experiment to determine the performance evaluation of a honey extractor in comparison with the traditionally extracted method. The physiochemical properties of the extracted honey are determined to ascertain its quality against an international standard. The volume of the extraction chamber is 55,125 cm³ and has an extraction rate and efficiency of 69.0 kg/hr and 86.3 % respectively.  These figures are significantly higher (p<0.05) than 6.40 kg/hr and 59.1 % for the traditional method of honey extraction. The physicochemical analysis carried out showed that the properties of the honey extracted using the designed machine are more desirable compared with the honey extracted using the traditional method. The properties are also within the international standard except for electrical conductivity and ash content. The moisture content, electrical conductivity, ash content, free acidity, insoluble matter, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), glucose, fructose, sucrose and diastase number for the honey extracted using the honey extractor are 18.8 %, 1.466 mScm^-1, 0.762 %, 38.77 meq/kg, 0.0378 g/100 g, 42.9 mg/kg, 39.629 g/100 g, 36.830 g/100 g, 1.339 g/100 g and 40.0, respectively. The availability of this designed and fabricated honey extracting machine will expand honey production, increase honey market supply, reduce honey farmers of their difficulty in producing honey, create employment opportunities and finally increase the economic potential of the Nigerian state through exporting of honey and its products.