Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 14 November 2025
Scientists at the ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) have developed an efficient, labour-saving, hand-held tool designed to extract fruit pulp from the fibrous keys of Pandanus (Kewdi) fruits, significantly improving both productivity and pulp quality.
The newly designed tool enables a single user to extract pulp from approximately 320 keys per hour, a substantial increase compared to the 180 keys per hour achieved through traditional manual methods. Researchers noted that the pulp obtained using the tool is considerably cleaner, with fewer fibrous impurities, making it more suitable for research, analysis, and value-added product preparation such as fruit-pulp cakes.
The innovation was conceptualized and developed by a CIARI team comprising Dr. I. Jaisankar, Principal Scientist; Dr. T. Subramani, Principal Scientist; and Dr. E. B. Chakurkar, former Director. According to the team, the tool is expected to benefit both scientific institutions and local communities involved in Pandanus fruit processing, helping streamline workflows and improve output quality.
The advancement will support research and also contribute to the promotion of traditional fruit-based products from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
