I. M. Gana1,*, A. A. Shehu1, A. Gbabo2, M. Usman3, M. H. Abubakar1
1Department of Agriculture & Bioenvironmental Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Bida 912001, Niger State, Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural &Bioresources Engineering, Federal University of Technology Minna, Minna 920101, Niger State, Nigeria.
3Department of Agricultural and Bioenvironmental Engineering Technology, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin 241105, Kwara State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author: I. M. Gana
The authors acknowledged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for providing the grant for this research work.
Abstract
A small-scale dry moringa leaves powder processing plant of 300 kg per day capacity was established in Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, Nigeria. All the machine parts were fabricated in the Institution. The plant is made up of the following sections: leaves washing unit, draining unit, drying, and milling units. All machine parts that will get in direct contact with the moringa leaves were made of stainless steel. The results of testing show that all the proximate compositions of the samples significantly (p<0.05) changed with an increase in drying temperatures. The moisture content, crude protein, and fat content of the dried leaves sample decreased with an increase in drying temperature from 34°C to 49°C. While carbohydrate, fibre, and ash content increased significantly (p<0.05) with an increase in drying temperature of the moringa leaves samples. The milling efficiency of the hammer mill ranged between 60.39% and 96.83 %. The highest milling efficiency of 96.83 was obtained from the interaction between 18 numbers of hammer head assembly, moringa moisture content of 9%, and speed of 1460 rpm. The milling efficiency increased with an increase in the speed of milling and an increase in the number of hammer head but decreased with an increase in the moisture content of the leaves. In conclusion, dried moringa leaves contained more fat, fibre, protein, and carbohydrate than the fresh leaves. The small-scale Moringa leaves powder processing plant was established at the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, in October 2017, and the study continued until January 2021, giving a total duration of approximately three years and three months.
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