ICAR-CPCRI Develops Compact Coconut Sap Chiller

For the processing of clean and safe unfermented sap known as “Kalparasa” from the coconut spadix, the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) based at Kasaragod has released a compact coconut sap chiller. 

Heading the departments of Biochemistry, Post-Harvest Technology and Plant Physiology, Mr. KB Hebbar told that the organization had before built up a coconut sap chiller, however, assembling of the same was a tedious procedure as it must be fitted physically. With the rise in appeal from the coconut-developing states for the same, the timely stockpile of the chiller unit was somewhat troublesome. 

He added that now, with the monetary help of the Coconut Development Board  based in Kochi, the organisation has planned and manufactured the moulds needed for the enormous scope production of the sap chillers. For the business production of the coconut sap chiller, the moulds have already been accredited. 

The new versatile coconut sap chiller is a twofold layered box that is prepared using High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), protected by polyurethane froth in the middle of the layers. The unit has arrangement for setting ice, a coconut sap storing compartment, a spadix holder, top cover, a pipe and arrangement to attach the container on the tree top. It has an storing limit of 3 liters of coconut sap. 

In comparision to commonly produced ice boxes, the chiller produced by CPCRI bears relatively less weight, is waterproof, simple to attach to the spadix, needs limited ice, and grips low temperatures for more drawn out period, he added. 

Economical use of Electricity: 

On the assessment of the new chiller’s working at CPCRI and different regions, Mr. Hebbar said the latest HDPE chiller is profoundly energy proficient and the ice blocks lasts for almost 1 day compared to 10 to 12 hours of the current packs. It is profoundly practical, as the creation is done in processing plants utilizing the molds. The creation cost has now come down to around rupees 850 for each piece. This avoids packaging, shipment and GST costs. The past model cost more than rupees 2000 per piece, he said. 

In spite of the fact that there was a mishap on coconut sap tapping attributable to Covid, still almost 3,000 bits of the chillers were bought by the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Goa and over the most recent couple of months, he said. 

Numerous farmers and coconut developers organizations have conveyed their appeal to to acquire the chiller for tapping coconut as well as for palmyra and date palm. 

Planned and created by Hebbar and AC Mathew, Principal Scientist at CPCRI, the establishment has offered permit to the Mangaluru-based Kalyaniram Polyplast Pvt Ltd to fabricate, pack and deliver the imperative quantities of chillers to end clients for the benefit of CPCRI for the individuals who sign innovation move with the organization. 

He added that the sap gathered by coco-sap chilller at low temperature is totally not the same as the 'neera' gathered by conventional technique with or without additives, and henceforth it was named as 'Kalparasa'. He said that 'Kalparasa' has been allowed trade mark by Intellectual Property India. Sap gathered utilizing the coco-sap chiller is golden brown colored, delightful and liberated from foreign substances, for example, bugs, ants, and dust particles. It contained various wellbeing advancing substances like polyphenols, nutrients, amino acids, antioxidants and minerals, he added.