Other States - Orissa   

OUAT develops fruit preservation tech

BHUBANESWAR: Researchers of the Orissa University for Agriculture Technology (OUAT) have evolved a new technology, which could help preserve fruits for a longer period without causing quality deterioration.

The technology, called humidified air dryer using heat pump system, can be used for drying fruits, vegetables, spices, condiments, medicinal aromatic and other high value commodities.

“A commercial scale heat pump dryer has been developed. The dryer produces better quality dehydrated product,” Dibakar Naik, head of directorate of research of OUAT revealed at a State-level research council meeting here on Monday.

As per the normal practice, fruits and vegetables are preserved in freezing conditions. But in the process, the outer surface of commodities gets shrunk due to freezing of liquid inside fruits or vegetables.

In this technology, researchers have preserved commodities at low temperature but added humidity to keep the fruits fresh.

The technology was a result of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Post-harvest Technology.

A team of scientists led by Mohammed Khalid Khan of College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology had been working on the project for a couple of years now.

“We are in the process of filing application for seeking patent on the technology. We have finalised the documentation process,” said Dr. Baburam Singh, in charge of the Intellectual Property Right cell of OUAT.

Earlier Mr. Naik said OUAT was carrying research on post-harvest technology on management of stevia leaves, processing of Aloe vera, processing of mohua flower and seed and packaging technique to improve shelf life of produce.

Addressing scientists, researchers and government officials, Director of Agriculture and Food Production Arabinda Padhee said invention of technology should be driven by farmers’ demands.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Take steps to solve tribals’ problems: ST panel chief
Be selective on projects, plan panel tells State
5 labourers killed as earth caves in
Bundle of woes
School enrolment drive gets fillip
Scribes meet
Ex-football player dead
Varsity move opposed
His 7th marriage ends in tragedy
BPL fire victims to get houses
Heatwave toll goes up to 41
Congress leaders, workers court arrest
Hand fans club grows bigger
Plea to Centre on heritage sites
‘Boudha Mahotsav’ begins
Talk on civic amenities
‘Be selective’
Congress campaign
Antiques, precious stones seized
OUAT develops fruit preservation tech

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu