Determination of Physical Properties of Almond Seed Related to the Design of Food Processing Machines

Abstract

Nig. J. Pure &Appl. Sci. Vol. 29 (2016) ISSN 0794-0378 (C) 2016 Faculty of Physical Sciences and Faculty of Life Sciences, Univ. of Ilorin, Nigeria www.njpas.com.ng Corresponding Author:M.O. Sunmonu3Department of Food and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Ilorinsholams2000@yahoo.co.ukPage | 2730Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.19240/njpas.2016.A13Full Length Research Paper DETERMINATION OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ALMOND SEED RELATED TO THE DESIGN OF FOOD PROCESSING MACHINES M.O. Sunmonu,1 M.O. Iyanda,2 M.M. Odewole,3 E.O. Ajala,4 A.N. Moshood,5 and J.J. Aduba6 1,3Department of Food and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State 2,5Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, Kwara State 4Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Kwara State 6National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, Kwara State AbstractIn this study, some selected physical properties of two varieties of Almond seed (Red and White) grown in Nigeria were determined. The physical properties of Red Almond were Major Diameter (49.35±4.16mm), Intermediate Diameter (33.05±2.79mm), Minor Diameter (23.37±2.31mm), Weight (10.20±2.24g), Geometric mean diameter (33.59±2.41mm), Arithmetic mean Diameter (35.26±2.45mm), Surface Area (3564.6±524.1mm2), Sphericity (68.3±4.36%), Volume (0.5023±0.07cm3), Density (19.53±3.82g/cm3) while values of coefficient of static friction of 0.45±0.04, 0.40±0.06 and 0.52±0.06 were recorded for glass, metal and wood surface respectively in red almond. Also values of angle of internal friction of 24.12 ± 1.92, 21.93±3.00 and 27.50± 2.64 were recorded for glass, metal and wood surfaces in red almond. The properties of white Almond were: Major diameter (61.26±4.15mm), Intermediate diameter (29.61±3.05mm), Minor diameter (21.52±1.59mm), Weight (10.9±1.52g), Geometric mean diameter (33.86±2.09mm), Arithmetic mean diameter (37.47±2.13mm), Surface area (3616.10±453.7mm2), Sphericity (55.39±3.46%), Volume (0.51±0.06cm3), Density (22.33±3.48g/cm3) while values of coefficient of static friction of 0.41±0.06, 0.41±0.07 and 0.51±0.05 were recorded for glass, metal and wood surface respectively in white almond. Also values of angle of internal friction of 22.20± 2.76, 22.38 ±3.45 and 26.96± 2.23 were recorded for glass, metal and wood surfaces in white almond. Statistical test (independent t test) on the properties showed there were significant difference at 5% level between Red Almond and White Almond.These properties are also needed for analytical prediction of the drying behaviour of agricultural materials. These properties are also use to determine heat transfer in agricultural materials.