Main Article Content

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Multi-Heat Source Plantain Roaster


M.O. Jimoh
O.A.B. Ogunmoyela
O.N. Ogabi

Abstract

The increasing demand for roasted plantain has brought about recent interest to upgrade the local method of roasting to be more user-friendly, hygienic and versatile. The objective of this work was to design, fabricate and evaluate the performance of a low cost and affordable multi-heat source plantain roaster and to determine the effects of different heat sources (charcoal, gas and electricity) on the proximate and micronutrients composition of the roasted plantain. Heat supplied to each compartment and medium of transfer was determined. The roasted products from different heat sources were evaluated for moisture, crude protein, ash, crude fat, crude fibre and total carbohydrate contents of the samples. Potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6 were also determined. The proximate and micronutrient composition analyses were carried out. The results show that the average capacity and efficiency of the machine is 3.74 kg/h and 96.32% respectively. Moisture content of the fresh plantain is 58.27% while that of roasted plantain using gas, electricity and charcoal are 46.26%, 45.94% and 39.59% respectively. Ash content of fresh plantain is 5.89% while that of roasted plantain using gas, electricity and charcoal are 7.45%, 8.30% and 7.00% respectively. Crude fibre content of fresh plantain is 2.83% while that of roasted plantain using gas, electricity and charcoal are 3.27%, 3.41% and 3.43% respectively. Carbohydrate content of fresh plantain is 23.80% while that of roasted plantain using gas, electricity and charcoal are 33.41%, 32.35% and 43.02% respectively.


Keywords: Machine design, plantain, moisture content, micronutrient analysis, heat source, roasting


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2437-2110
print ISSN: 0189-9546