Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike


EFFECTS OF LOADING ORIENTATION AND MOISTURE CONTENT ON SOME MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BITTER KOLA SEEDS

Igbozulike, A. O.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

Orji, F. N.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

Oyinloye, G. M.
Department of Food Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri.

Nwakuba, N. R.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

Ehiem, J. C.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

Diabana, P.
Department of Agricultural & Bio-environmental Engineering, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.



ABSTRACT

The effects of loading orientation and moisture content on some mechanical properties of bitter kola seeds relevant in the design of postharvest systems for the seed were studied. The properties investigated were deformation (mm), rupture stress (Nmm-2), toughness (J), and Young’s modulus (Nmm-2). The moisture contents of the seed ranges from 39.79 to 52.45% wet basis, and the two loading orientations are longitudinal and transverse. positions. The deformation values increased from 12.194 to 18.807mm and decreased from 14.492 to 7.612 mm as the moisture contents increased for longitudinal and transverse loadings, respectively. The toughness decreased from 4.751 to 1.710 J with moisture increase for longitudinal loading, whereas for transverse loading, the toughness increased from 1.768 to 3.734 J but decreased to 1.119 J with moisture increase. The Young Modulus decreased from 3137.72 to 981.70 Nmm-2 with increase in moisture under longitudinal loading, and increased from 1000.60 to 4619.58 Nmm-2 but decreased to 2766.16 Nmm-2 as the moisture increased under transverse loading. The rupture stress was found to decrease with moisture increase under longitudinal loading from 515.78 to 194.08 Nmm-2 and increased from 994.08 to 1427.00 Nmm-2 but decreased to 641.34 Nmm-2 as moisture increased under transverse loading. The seeds required lesser energy to achieve greater deformation under longitudinal loading.


Keywords: bitter kola seeds, mechanical properties, compressive test, moisture content, loading orientation


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Conference Code
IECON2019

Conference Title
ENGINEERING FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION, FOOD AND NATIONAL SECURITY

ISBN
978-978-53175-8-9

Date Published
Friday, September 20, 2019

Conference Date
2nd - 4th September, 2019

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