- Turkish Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research
- Vol: 1 Issue: 2
- Moisture Influences of Some Physical and Gravimetric Properties of Ackee Apple Seeds (Blighia sapida...
Moisture Influences of Some Physical and Gravimetric Properties of Ackee Apple Seeds (Blighia sapida)
Authors : Olajıde SADIKU, Davıd OMOGUNSOYE
Pages : 415-424
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Publication Date : 2020-12-31
Article Type : Research
Abstract :Some moisture influenced physical and gravimetric properties of Ackee apple seeds (Blighia sapida) were investigated at 11.9, 17, 22, 27 and 32% moisture content (wet basis). These properties are vital in handling, storing, and processing of seeds including the design of required equipment. Ackee seeds have medicinal and industrial benefits. The seeds were collected from Lanlate, Oyo State (7° 36ʹ 0ʺ North, 3° 27ʹ 0ʺ East), Nigeria where ackee trees are predominant. Seed moisture content was determined using ASAE standard. ANOVA, using Genstat Discovery Edition 4 was adopted for data analysis and means were separated using LSD at 5% significance level. As seed moisture content increased from 11.9 to 32%, 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 unit mass (189.3 – 230.3 g), bulk (377.0 - 418.3 kgm-3) and true (714.3 - 771.1 kgm-3) densities but decrease in porosity was not significant. Increase in both bulk and true densities is due to the rate of increase in the mass of the seed bulk being higher than that of its volume. A non-linear decrease showed in seed volume (3.4-3.2 cm3). Regression equations were generated to predict the behavior of Ackee seeds with respect to their moisture content and a baseline data necessary for the design of equipment for handling, storing and processing Ackee apple seeds was developed. Mechanizing the process line for ackee seeds is therefore possible.Keywords : Aril, Bulk density, Length, Physical, Porosity, Processing, Sphericity, Surface area