Establishment and Testing of Indigenous Small Scale Moringa Leaves Powder Processing Plant in Nigeria

Abstract

A small scale dry moringa leaves powder processing plant of 300 kg per day capacity was established in Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State of Nigeria. All the machine parts were fabricated in the Institution. The plant is made up of the following sections; leaves washing unit, draining unit, drying and the milling units. All machine parts that will get in direct contact with the moringa leaves were made of stainless steel. The results of testing shows that all the proximate composition of the samples significantly (p<0.05) changed with increased in drying temperatures. The moisture content, crude protein and fat content of the dried leaves sample decreased with increase in drying temperature from 34°C to 49°C. While carbohydrate, fibre and ash content increased significantly (p<0.05) with increased in drying temperature of the moringa leaves samples. The milling efficiency of the hammer mill ranged between 60.39 % and 96.83 %. The highest milling efficiency of 96.83 was obtained from interaction between 18 numbers of hammer head assembly, moringa moisture content of 9% and speed of 1460 r.p.m. The milling efficiency increased with increase in speed of milling and increase in number of hammer head but decreased with increase in moisture content of the leaves. In conclusion dried moringa leaves contained more fat, fibre, protein and carbohydrate than the fresh leaves