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Development of Electrostatic Spray Coating Machine for Edible Coating of Fruits

K. N. HANUMANTHARAJU*, K. THANGAVEL, D. S. POORNIMA, S. GANAPATHY AND D. MANOHAR JESUDAS
Department of Food Technology, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore-560 054 (Karnataka), India
*(e-mail : rajuknhgowda@gmail.com; Mobile : 97406 03639)
(Received : January 24, 2022; Accepted : February 23, 2022)

ABSTRACT

Edible coating is in a form of thin layer on the fruit surface, which delays the senescence of fruit
materials by forming semi-permeable barrier for permeation of gases and moisture. The thickness and
uniformity of coating on fruits play crucial role on permeability of the coating solution. Based on these
backgrounds electrostatic spray coating machine was developed and it consisted of high voltage generator
and electrostatic spray coating section. Developed electrostatic sprayer section involved electrostatic
spray (twin fluid) nozzle with high voltage power supplying unit (1 kV to 5 kV), liquid discharge (10 to 30
ml/min) and pressurized air (2.5 and 4 kg/cm2) from the air compressor. The maximum value of charge
to mass ratio (CMR) obtained at 4 kg/cm2 pressurized air flow rate was 1.70 mC/kg at 5.0 kV applied
voltage under10 ml/min of spray liquid discharge rate.
Key words : Electrostatic spray coating, spray nozzle, high voltage