Development of an Automated Mushroom pasteurizing machine
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Date
2024
Authors
Allyssa Mae C. Mendoza
Kharl Aidan D. Rayo
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Abstract
As one of the high valued crops in the world, mushroom production for both commercial and research purposes starts to grow. The purpose of this research work was to design, fabricate and automate a mushroom pasteurizer under Arduino-platformed control systems. Through optimization of the mentioned pasteurization parameters-temperature, relative humidity, the box-like design of the pasteurizer had dimensions 1000 mm x 1000 mm x 1300 mm, with a capacity to hold 125 mushroom fruiting bags, and was fitted with an Arduino-based controller to maintain set conditions within it.
Conducted at the College of Engineering Farm, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), researchers enhanced traditional pasteurization methods by adding a temperature and humidity controller. Sensors ensured consistent temperature and humidity distribution, achieving optimal ranges of 90-96 degrees Celsius and 93-96% relative humidity.
The study examined the effects of three pasteurization durations (4, 6 and 8 hours) on mushroom growth. Findings showed than an 8-hour pasteurization period yielded the best results, with the lowest contamination rate of 14.4% and the longest colonization averaging 14.8 cm over three weeks. The developed system, incorporating an ESP board, heating coils, and relays, successfully automated the pasteurization process, improving efficiency and consistency in mushroom production.