Effect of Blade Profile and Processing Parameters on Quality Seedlac

Abstract

Sticklac obtained after scraping the lac incrustations from mature lac stick of host trees and converted into seedlac at lac processing industries for its further use in making lac based value added products. Sticklac converted into seedlac can be stored like grain, in gunny bag or metal bin for longer period without much deterioration in the quality so that lac grower can sell seedlac whenever they get remunerative price. Different profiles of the churning blade used to increase the working surface area to the maximum possible extent and enhance the turbulence during washing operation of sticklac in presence of water for quality seedlac without major change in conventional churning mechanism of lac washing machine developed under small scale lac processing unit. Seedlac prepared using higher amount of water increased impurity level and color index, enhanced churning time reduced impurity content and color index while warm water reduced impurity level and increased color index in the washed seedlac. Impurity content and color index were lowest in seedlac prepared using modified churning blade ‘rod parallel to the shaft’ compared to other modified churning blade and conventional blade.