QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF COPRA THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WHITE COPRA DRYING OVEN

Abstract

The common process of making copra is by drying under sunlight or fumigating by utilizing biomass (coconut shell). The disadvantages of this method of drying and fumigation are that processing time lasts for 5-7 days and it is very dependent on weather conditions. In addition  copra  quality  was  often  unstable,  mouldy  and  moisture  content  is  not  suitable therefore  cannot  fulfill  requirements  as  white  copra.  Selayar  regency  has  known  as  a  copra producing centre in South Sulawesi, therefore it becomes one of the considerations of choosing community creativity program (PKM) partners from this region. The goal to be achieved is the process of transferring technology to partners so that motivate other coconut farmers who will eventually be able to increase their income. The output of this activity is the result of a white copra  drying  oven.  The  program  implementation  phase  begins  with  the  design  of  the  drying oven  at  the  Politeknik  Negeri  Ujung  Pandang  (PNUP)  mechanical  workshop  followed  by demonstration of equipment usage at the partner location and the final stage of the activity is the delivery of the equipment to the partners. From the result of testing equipment, the quality obtained was 10.14% moisture content, 54.15 oil content and 0.05% free fatty acid level for 25 hours drying time. This result has met the C Grade of SNI standard.