Physical-Mechanical Properties and Chemical Composition of Balangu (Lallemantia royleana (Benth. in Walla.)) Seed

Abstract

Physical and mechanical properties of Balangu seed and other crops are necessary for the design of equipment to handling, transporting, processing and storing. In this paper, physico-mechanic properties and chemical composition of Balangu seed have been determined at a moisture content of 7.82% (d.b.). The results showed that the seeds contained averagely amounts of dry matter (92.75%), ash (3.63%), crude protein (25.60%), crude fat (18.27%), crude fiber (1.29%), NDF (30.67%) and ADF (47.80%). The average values of length, diameter, geometric mean diameter, sphericity and surface area were established as 3.148 mm, 0.720 mm, 1.176 mm, 37.4% and 4.362 mm2, respectively. The average unit mass, thousand mass, true and apparent volumes, true density, bulk density, porosity, terminal velocity and filling and emptying angles of repose were determined as 0.0016 g, 1.67 g, 1.51 mm3, 2.467 mm3, 1046.68 kg/m3, 739.50 kg/m3, 29.19% and 4.05 m/s, 27.24°, and 17.23°, respectively. The static coefficient of friction varied from 0.221 on glass to 0.432 on rubber. In the same moisture content, the average rupture force, hardness and toughness obtained 1482.06 g, 3280.76 g, 12902.83 gs, respectively.