Human energy involved in manual and mechanically facilitate harvesting of saffron flowers

Abstract

In this work the energy cost of a human operator during the harvesting of saffron flowers is discussed. The amounts of energy cost was achieved for a traditional harvesting hand-made activity compared to a harvesting phase with a facilitator machine. In the paper the facilitator machine prototype is described with its mechanical performances. Oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide consumption (VCO2) were taken in five male healthy volunteers using a progressive exercise test on a cycle ergometer to calculate the respiratory ratio (VCO2/VO2) corresponding to the anaerobic threshold (AT) which, just it exceed 1, indicates the fatigue onset. VO2 was also assessed when volunteers simulated hand-made saffron harvesting or assisted by the facilitator device, to establish if the VO2 reached or not the AT value/fatigue onset in the one or in the other harvesting modalities.