Automated Salted Egg Production: An Arduino-Based System for Optimized Salting and Temperature Control

Abstract Background: Traditional salted egg production relies on uncontrolled environmental conditions, resulting in long fermentation periods (20–40 days) and inconsistent product quality due to seasonal temperature variations and uneven salt penetration. Although recent studies have introduced PLC- and microcontroller-based automation in food processing, limited research has focused on integrating temperature regulation and salinity control within a low-cost, community-scale system specifically for salted egg production. Objectives: This study aimed to (1) design and develop an Arduino-based automated salted egg production device; (2) implement controlled temperature stabilization and standardized salinity regulation during fermentation; and (3) evaluate the usability and acceptability of the developed system using the System Usability Scale (SUS). Method: The study developed an Arduino-based automated salted egg production system designed to regulate fermentation temperature and brine salinity in a controlled environment. The system integrates an Arduino AtMega microcontroller, thermocouple sensor, PTC heater, real-time clock (RTC) module, stepper motor, water pump, relay modules, and LCD display to automate brining, temperature stabilization, and fermentation monitoring. Experimental evaluation was conducted over a 25-day fermentation period using duck eggs immersed in 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% brine solutions at a 1:1 egg-to-brine ratio while maintaining a constant temperature of 25 °C. System usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS) with 20 members of a local farmers’ association. Findings: Results demonstrated that the developed system successfully maintained stable fermentation conditions and reduced processing time from 40 days to 25 days, representing a 37.5% reduction. The system achieved a SUS score of 85.0, classified as “Very Good,” indicating high usability and user acceptance. Novelty: The study introduces a low-cost, temperature- and salinity-controlled fermentation system tailored for community-scale salted egg production. By integrating environmental control, automation, and usability evaluation, the proposed system offers a practical and scalable solution for improving productivity, consistency, and modernization in traditional food processing. Keywords: Arduino-based system, salted egg production, temperature control, food processing automation