Study of Dielectric Properties of Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella Foenum Graecum)

Abstract

Abstract The present paper studied the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and ac conductivity of fenugreek seed, a medicinal seed (Trigonella foenum graecum), within the frequency range of 10 kHz and 10 MHz and the temperature range of 30°C and 50°C. Impedance gain/phase analyser (HP 4194 A) was used to measure the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss and Julabo (temperature controller, F-25, Germany) was used for keeping the temperature of fenugreek seeds constant. It was found that the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss decrease with the increase in the frequency while the same increase with the increase in temperature and moisture content. The ac conductivity increased with the increase in frequency, moisture and temperature.