Visit to Pitambar Agro Foods Pvt. Ltd

Report

Title of Event: Visit to Pitambar Agro Foods Pvt. Ltd

Type of Event: Industrial Visit

Date: 28 March 2024

Time: 12:15 pm - 5:00 pm

Venue: Pitamber Agro Foods Pvt. Ltd., Village Sohella, Near Niwai, Tonk

Target Group: UG & PG students, Department of Chemistry

No. of Participants: 33

Activity Coordinators: Dr. Varsha Goyal, Dr. Priyanka Jain

Objectives: The primary objective of the industrial visit to Pitamber Agro Foods Pvt. Ltd., a Mustard Oil Processing Industry is to provide a practical insight regarding the production processing of mustard oil to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students of the Chemistry Department. The visit aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired in classrooms and real-world industrial applications. By experiencing the operational aspects first hand, students could deepen their understanding of chemical processes involved in oil extraction and refining, as well as gain awareness of environmental and safety considerations in industrial settings.

Summary/Description: Upon arrival at the Mustard Oil Processing industry, the students were greeted by the director of the industry, Mr. S.P. Tiwari, and the Senior Scientist, Mr. Tarun Verma. They provided an overview of the company's history, mission, and its role in the production of mustard oil. The introduction included a brief explanation of the processing  of mustard oil.

The industrial visit commenced with a detailed walkthrough of the oil extraction process, starting from the reception of mustard cake, a by-product of traditional cold processing of mustard seeds, to the final packaging of mustard oil. The students first visited the processing unit, where the entire production process was briefed in detail by their unit members. They observed the various stages involved, including cleaning, grinding, pressing, and extraction. Through this, they learned about the chemical principles underlying each step, such as solvent extraction using n-hexane and mechanical pressing, aimed at obtaining high-quality mustard oil.

Following the extraction process, the students visited the refining units. Here, they gained insights into refining techniques aimed at enhancing the purity and shelf-life of mustard oil. They gained an understanding of degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and de-odorization processes. Additionally, students learned about quality control measures implemented to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Overall, the visit provided the students with practical insights into the production process of mustard oil, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world industrial applications.

Outcome: The industrial visit to the Mustard Oil Processing Industry proved to be a valuable learning experience for the participants. By witnessing the oil processing operations firsthand, students gained practical insights into the application of chemical principles in industrial settings. The visit not only enhanced their understanding of mustard oil production but also fostered an appreciation for the complexities and challenges associated with industrial processes. Overall, the visit succeeded in achieving its objectives of bridging the gap between theory and practice, thereby enriching the academic journey of the participating students.