Technical and economical evaluation of abrasive peeling machine and its effect on nutritional characteristics of quinoa

quinoa abrasive peeling machine

Abstract

Shiraz Laser Boresh Company has designed and manufactured an abrasive peeling machine to remove saponin from quinoa grain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the abrasive peeling machine from technical, economical and quinoa nutritional characteristics point of view. A factorial experimental design based on completely randomized experimental with three replications was used for this study in Shiraz, Iran. For technical evaluation, effects of two factors including inlet valve opening (IVO) and rotational speed (RS) of the machine axis on grain breakage, machine capacity and grain weight loss were investigated. In order to select the most economic treatment, partial budgeting technique was used. Values of saponin, protein, fat, fiber, dry matter, zinc, magnesium and ash were measured to assess changes in quinoa nutritional characteristics. Results showed that the most suitable treatment for peeling machine was treatment involving RS of 650 rpm and IVO of 20 mm (treatment 9). In this setting, the highest amount of machine working capacity (0.38 tons per hour) and the lowest amount of quinoa weight loss (12.7%) was  achieved. This treatment had also a reasonable amount of grain breakage (2.4%). From the economic point of view, the highest added value and beneficial were obtained in treatment 9. In this setting, the amount of input quinoa saponin before and after peeling was recorded equal to 3.18% and 0.25%, respectively.