Seed Extraction Methods

Different methods of Seed extraction
The selected fruits are harvested for seed in the same way that is picked for the market. There are
several methods of extracting seeds namely:
 By rolling seeds in the hands

 By beating, walking, feeding, kneading for pulpy fruit like mango, mulberry, etc
 By direct sowing of seeds of some spp _ like in shisham, seeds are not separated from the pods
rather pods are broken down into pieces and each piece is sown directly.
 By spreading in the sunlight _ especially for cones, capsules, and pods which become open on
sunlight.
 By winnowing _ to separate grain from its husks chaff by tossing it in the air or blowing air
through it
 By watering
 By floatation
The seeds extraction from wet / flesh fruits can be done by the following methods.
1) Manual method
2) Fermentation method
3) Mechanical method
4) Chemical method
5) Juice and seed extraction method
1. Manual Method
(a) Maceration e.g., watermelon,
(b) Crushing e.g., brinjal,
(c) Scraping e.g., cucumber
(d) Separated e.g., muskmelon,
(e) Scooping e.g., pumpkins and
(f) Extraction e.g., squashes.
1.1. Dry Extraction
Dry extraction is done either manually or mechanically. Manual extraction is by beating with
pliable bamboo stick or by beating against a hard surface. Threshers are used for mechanical
extraction. In this method care should be taken to avoid mechanical injury.
1.2. Wet Extraction

It is normally practiced in fleshy fruits of vegetables like tomato, brinjal, bittergourd,
snakegourd and ashgourd. Among these, extraction is easier in brinjal and ashgourd as the fleshy
pulp’s interference is less. Seeds are separated with pulp and are washed with adequate water and
for removing the sliminess; seeds are washed with 0.1% HCI for 2-3 minutes. In chillies, dry
extraction using curry powder grinder is preferable than soaking in water and squeezing off the
fruit rind. In tomato seed extraction is done either by fermentation method or acid method. Alkali
method (Na2CO3) and citric acid method are also available but are not practiced widely.
3. Fermentation Method
Fruits with pulp and seed are squeezed and kept as such for 24-48 hours. The seeds will
settle down. Decayed pulp and immatured seed will float. The settled seeds are washed with
more of water. The seeds are shade dried and then sun dried before using. Care should be taken
to avoid germination of seed during fermentation. The seeds will be dull in colour.
4. Chemical method
i. Alkali method
This method is relatively safe and can be used for small quantities of seed in cooler
temperate areas where the fermentation method is not used. The pulp containing the extracted
tomato seed is mixed with an equal volume of a ten per cent solution of sodium carbonate
(washing soda). The mixture is left for up to 48 hours at room temperature and after washed out
in a sieve and subsequently dried. This method is not suitable for commercial seed production as
sodium carbonate tends to darken the testa of the seed.
ii. Acid method
Acid method is often favoured by large commercial seed producers as it produces a very bright
clean seed. Addition of 30ml of hydrochloric acid per litre of seed and pulp mixture, stirred
properly and left for half an hour then the seeds are washed thoroughly with water, sieved and
dried.
The benefits of this method are
(i) seed extraction and drying is done on the same day,
(ii) Higher seed recovery,
(iii) The problems of low and high temperatures are avoided,
(iv) Discoloured seed resulting from fermentation is entirely avoided and
(v) Remove external seed borne pathogens.

CLEANING OF SEED:
After extraction of seed from fruit, some debris i.e., parts of cones, capsules; pods, etc are
also with seed. Moreover, some diseased seeds are also present. So cleaning of all the debris is
necessary otherwise it will affect the germination.
Pre-cleaning
After collection and before storage the seed collected must be inspected to determine its
conditions. In case of pods, it becomes more expeditious. Moist and fomenting pods must be
spread out to dry and also require treatment with fungicide to avoid further fermentation.
Methods of Cleaning:
1.Water Method:
Put the seeds along with debris in the water. Seeds will settle down and debris will start floating
on the surface. Remove the debris and let the dry.
2.Winnowing method:
Put the seeds along debris in the winnowing apparatus. Drop the material from some height in
the direction of the wind as a result seeds will fall down on the ground and debris will blow off.
3.Hand picking:
If the debris which is mixed with seeds is easily removable then clean the seeds with hands.
4.Sieving method:
This method is applicable when the amount and size of debris are smaller than seed. In this
method, seeds along with the debris are put in sieves and then by shaking, the debris pass
through sieves and seeds remain in the site.

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Seed Extraction Methods

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Different methods of Seed extraction

 By rolling seeds in the hands

(a) Maceration e.g., watermelon,

(b) Crushing e.g., brinjal,

(c) Scraping e.g., cucumber

(d) Separated e.g., muskmelon,

(e) Scooping e.g., pumpkins and

(f) Extraction e.g., squashes.

1.1. Dry Extraction

1.2. Wet Extraction

ii. Acid method

The benefits of this method are

(i) seed extraction and drying is done on the same day,

(ii) Higher seed recovery,

(iii) The problems of low and high temperatures are avoided,

(iv) Discoloured seed resulting from fermentation is entirely avoided and

(v) Remove external seed borne pathogens.

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