Optimization of Developed Continuous Type Pomegranate Juice Extractor

The pomegranate consumption is tremendously increasing due to the development of diversified value-added products and its health benefit among all age groups of consumers. For commercial use, there is no availability of continuous juice extraction, which is drudgery-free at industrial level. To address this major issue, continuous pomegranate juice extractor was designed and fabricated having major components such as feed chute, carrier roller, crushing roller and juice collecting platform with filter. The optimization of the extractor was performed with carrier roller speed (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 rpm) having highest machine capacity (357 kg/h), extraction efficiency (88%,) with low extraction losses (< 12%) and having a significant effect (P < 0.05) with good coefficient of determination analysed using response surface methodology. The comparison performance studies revealed that high juice efficiency in continuous juice extractor (98.3%) compared to batch conventional mixer (48.2%). The physicochemical analysis also proved better results in continuous pomegranate extractor mainly pH (3.23 +/- 0.025), TSS (19.13 +/- 0.126 0Brix), total sugar (14.80 +/- 0.09 %), titratable acidity (0.70 +/- 0.04 %), total phenol (0.209 +/- 0.008 %) and total flavonoids (22.1 +/- 2.3 CE /100 mL).The sensory evaluation using the hedonic scale method revealed that continuous juice extractor (> 8.75) compared to the mixer.