Effect of size distribution and ripeness on some physical and mechanical properties of Spondias mombin fruits

Abstract

The effect of size distribution and ripeness on some properties of Spondias mombin fruits was investigated in this study. The mean length of a ripe small, medium, and large Spondias mombin fruit is 27.3, 35.2, and 38.5 mm, respectively. Also, the width and thickness varied from 19.9 to 29.9 mm and 19.2 to 30.0 mm, respectively. In half-ripe fruits, the length, width, and thickness for small, medium, and large size distribution also varied from 28.2 to 38.7 mm; 20.9 to 28.9 mm and 19.6 to 28.7 mm, respectively. The length of the unripe small, medium, and large sized fruits was 28.1, 35.1, and 38.9 mm, respectively. The width and thickness increased from 21.8 to 29.2 mm and 20.6 to 29.2 mm, respectively. As the size increased from small to large, the moisture content increased in each case for the three conditions of ripeness. The sphericity and bulk density of the fruit increased with the sizes and ripeness of the fruits. The effect of size and degree of ripeness on physical properties was significant. An increase in size and change in orientation increased compressive strain, with the highest being 0.169 at the large size and longitudinal position. The highest compressive stress of the fruit was observed as 9.00 N/mm 2 when in a transverse position. The energy required for breaking the fruit was highest (2.5 J) in a longitudinal orientation. The effect of size, degree of ripeness, and orientation of the fruit on the compressive properties were significant.