CIPHET develops portable fruit and vegetable washer-cum-purifier

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 21

The ICAR-CIPHET here has developed a low-cost portable ozone-based fruit and vegetable washer-cum-purifier – Ozo-C.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic as people bring home fruits, vegetables, the fear of contracting coronavirus looms large. To ensure food safety when we buy such commodities from the vendors and bring them home, a suitable gadget with standard protocol is required,” said Dr Ranjeet Singh, one of the scientists who helped in developing the Ozo-C.

According to Dr RK Singh, Director, ICAR-CIPHET, portable Ozo-C, based on Ozone technology, is an excellent ozonator which removes pesticides, bacteria, viruses and harmful chemical from the surface of fruits, vegetable, sea food and meat.

“This compact device may find a place in every kitchen, hotel, small scale fruit and vegetable processors and vendors, where it can play a vital role in reducing the risk of infection, especially during this pandemic period,” said Dr RK Singh.

This portable Ozo-C has been designed and developed by Dr Ranjeet Singh, Dr K Narsaiah, and Surya Tushir under the guidance and support of Dr RK Singh.

User friendly

The system works on principle of silent “discharge method”. It uses electric discharge to produce ozone by splitting the normal oxygen molecules in the air into single atom. These atoms recombine with air (O2) to form ozone (O3).

The device was made with a unit cost of Rs 3500 and it has been successfully demonstrated at the ICAR-CIPHET for use.

This ozone-based device comprises PVC box, air blower, ozone generator, ozone air distribution system, timer and on-off switch.

The device is simple and user friendly, according to the scientists from CIPHET.

Explaining its stepwise working, the scientists said: Take a container and put fruits and vegetables in it. Fill the container till water level is above fruits and vegetables to be cleaned. Dip the silicon tube with air stone into the container. Set the time of operation (15 -30 minutes based on commodity) and switch on the power supply.

The device will automatically stop at the end of the set time. Remove the stone and throw the treated water. Finally, clean and rinse the fruits and vegetables with running water. The cleaned fruits/vegetables are now ready for consumption. We can also store the items for later use, the scientists added.

Compact design

The device is compact in design and weighs 1.8kg. Its ozone output is 100-200 mg/h and its output air pressure is 0.2 kg/cm2. The device operates on a 220 V-240 AC single phase power supply.