Valencia: Spanish invention can de-seed pomegranates automatically

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A team of investigators from Valencia has developed a machine that automatically separates the seeds from the rind and pith of the pomegranate, ensuring that seeds can be extracted from fruit that would normally be discarded.

The difficulty in peeling pomegranates and separating out the seeds disheartens many consumers when they eat the fruit of the pomegranate (Punica granatum). This Spanish invention uses a computer vision system to distinguish and sort the fruit, discarding the non-edible parts and sorting the seeds according to quality.

The initial idea for creating this machine came from a project financed by the European Union for the comprehensive use of the pomegranate. A firm from Valencia became involved in the project and uses the machine to separate the seeds from the pomegranate, which they then sell.

Research on the machine was carried out at the Institute of Agrarian Research in Valencia (Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias [IVIA]). The findings were published recently online by the Journal of Food Engineering, and a patent has already been requested.

Nearly 35,000 tonnes of pomegranates are produced in Spain each year, harvesting is concentrated between the months of October and January. Many fruits are not sold as too much sun causes the fruit to be cracked and discoloured, although the nutritive and organoleptic quality of the seeds is not affected. The new machine means that these pomegranates will be used as fully as possible.

The nutritional and anti-carcinogenic properties of pomegranates have been highlighted in various studies. The pomegranate tree does not need fertilisers, phytosanitary products or large quantities of water, and so is well adapted for arid soils.