Grading palm oil fruit for efficient oil extraction
This could revolutionize the palm oil industry. A team of faculty members of Central University of Tamil Nad (CUTN-Tiruvarur) led by the head of the department of computer science has now been granted a patent for its intelligent grading system designed for extraction of oil from palm fruit. The cutting-edge technology is expected to provide an efficient and reliable method for assessing the quality of the fruit.
The team comprising Chandra Mouli, associate professor and HoD of computer science department, and Anjaneyulu and Gurang S Patkar has been granted the patent for designing an image processing software. The system provides for continuous evaluation of the quality of palm oil fruit through visual inspection of multiple samples. The data generated from this analysis is used to classify the fruit into distinct categories such as ripe, under-ripe, and overripe that will enable palm oil producers to make informed decisions regarding the extraction process, resulting in improved efficiency and quality control.
“The application of advanced technology and intelligent image processing not only streamlines the extraction process but also enhances the overall productivity and profitability of palm oil production,” Chandra Mouli told TOl. “The software analyses the captured images and employs sophisticated algorithms to grade the quality of palm oil fruit accurately. By utilizing a flight controller, the system is capable of receiving user commands and performing various calculations based on input from built-in sensors that detect orientation changes, speed and height, he said.
India imports palm oil largely from Malaysia and Indonesia where extensive research is on to extract quality oil. Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are the largest cultivators of the oil seed in India while cultivation is also being done in some parts of Maharashtra, Kerala and Goa. Chandra Mouli said the oil should be extracted from fully ripened seeds if it is for cooking purposes. Unripe fruits give non-edible oil which can be used only for making cosmetics and biofuel.
However, with no proper grading system followed in the industry, oil is currently being extracted from all types of seeds including from over-ripened fruits. “The oil extracted from the mixed varieties of fruits will become crude oil which should not be used for cooking,” he said. Once the intelligent grading system comes into use, the fruits can be segregated resulting in pure and healthy cooking oil.
“Compared to other edible oils in the market, we can get pure cooking oil from palm fruits lower than the price of other edible oils,” Chandra Mouli Said.
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