**5.5 Stripping or loosening of the fruits**

Fruit stripping or loosening refers to the separation of fruits from the bunch and spikelets. Traditionally, it is performed by removing the fruits from the spikelets one by one even though it is a time-consuming process the fruits collected are clean and free from bruises. In the case of a mechanized system, rotary drum equipped with rotary beater bars detaches the fruits from the bunch leaving the spikelets on the stem. Stripping is carried out immediately after sterilization.
