Shellfish are shelled sea
organism used for food. They are popularly called as shelled molluscs
and crustaceans. Clam, mussel, oyster, winkle and scallop belongs to
shelled molluscs family; whereas shrimp, prawn, lobster, crayfish, and
crab belongs to crustaceans group. Shellfish are found in all the major
coastal regions of the world and are consumed as sea food. Shellfishes
before consumption are processed by using various processing machines
which are as follows :
- Grader
Shellfish grader grades and packs shellfish lie oysters, scallops,
mussels etc. The graders are designed for grading shellfish of
different sizes and is applicable for both land and sea based
plants.
- Cooker
Cooker are used to cook various types of shellfish. In some
cookers(steam cooker) it is possible to add salt or other flavors.
- Meat Extractor
In a meat extractor machine gripped shellfish is partially opened
initially by manipulator means which enables meat to be removed from
one shell half at a station. Later on they are eviscerated at main
plant. The evisceration is done through backing plate which serves
to concentrate water around the shell and to hold the adductor
muscle in place.
