Abstract
This research evaluated and determined some moisture-influenced
physical and gravimetric properties of Blighia sapida seeds relevant
to machine design at 11.9, 17.0, 22.0, 27.0 and 32.0% moisture levels
(wet basis). These properties are vital in handling and seed process
design. With increasing seed moisture (11.9 to 32.0%), there was no
statistically significant effect on the seed axial dimensions, principal
diameters, sphericity and surface area. This is because seed axial
dimensions relatively determine other properties afore stated.
However, there were significant and linear increases in thousand
seed mass (189.3 – 230.3 g), bulk (377.0 - 418.3 kg m-3) and true (714.3
- 771.1 kg m-3) densities but decrease in porosity was not significant.
Increase in bulk and true densities is due to the rate of increase in
the seed mass being more rapid than the rate of increase in its
volume, as the seed moisture increased. A non-linear decrease
showed in seed volume (3.4-3.2 cm3). Behavioral patterns of ackee
seeds and their investigated properties, under increasing moisture
was expressed using regression models. Required primary data for
the design of handling techniques and process machinery for ackee
apple seeds were generated.
Publisher
Turkish Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research
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