Design and Fabrication of a Modified Model of Indigenous Meat-shell Separator Machine for Small-scale Clam Processing Units

Abstract

Black clam (Villorita cyprinoides) (Gray, 1825) is a bivalve mollusc and majority of its fishery is contributed by Vembanad lake of Kerala. Edible meat has to be separated from calcareous shells of black clam after cooking and the separation of meat from shells is a very difficult task for clam processors. Traditionally, black clam processors rely on indigenous methods for meat-shell separation using devices that lack a standard design, and do not follow any steps to assure the quality of the produce. No food quality standard parameters are adopted while considering the materials used for fabrication resulting in unhygienic handling and processing of clam meat. As a result of the unhygienic handling and processing, the product is often of an inferior quality. In this context, a modified model of indigenous meat-shell separator machine to handle bulk quantities of clams was designed and fabricated. The improved model has continuous mode of operation and the trials using this model demonstrated that it can handle 300 kg clam shells per hour with a meat-shell separation efficiency of 95%. It was found to be efficient, cost effective, ergonomic, and durable and also which conforms to the food safety regulatory requirements. This improved model has the potential to reduce the drudgery of clam processing and can encourage members of the rural communities to take up clam processing hygienically.