MODELING THE LOAD-DEFORMATION BEHAVIOUR OF AFRICAN NUTMEG (Monodora myristica) SEEDS

W. BURUBAI¹*
¹Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,Niger Delta University, P.M.B. 071, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
* Corresponding Author : ebiburu@yahoo.com

Received : 19-02-2017     Accepted : 11-09-2017     Published : 18-09-2017
Volume : 9     Issue : 43       Pages : 4708 - 4711
Int J Agr Sci 9.43 (2017):4708-4711

Keywords : Deformation, Compressive Force, Moisture Content, Loading Rate, Heating Time
Academic Editor : Paladugu Krishnadev
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Author thankful to Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Author Contribution : Sole Author

The load-deformation behaviour of African nutmeg seed during cracking was modeled using dimensional analysis and other computational techniques; with the view of positively manipulating this energy-demanding and time-consuming unit operation in the design of African nutmeg cracking machine. The developed model shows that; compressive force, moisture content, heating temperature, pre-heating time, loading rate and duration of loading play a significant role in the deformation (cracking) process of African nutmeg seed. Results of the model predicted and measured deformation values were compared and an acceptable agreement was recorded at 95% confidence level. An analysis of variance indicates that the developed model has a low standard error of estimate (0.0018) and a high coefficient of determination (R2 =0.902) which implies a good fit.

1. Adegoke E. and Akinsanya A. (1970) Journal of West African Science Association, 13 (2), 13-33.
2. Falconer T. (1990) Unasylva, 41,160.
3. Getahun, A. (2000) Agro-ecosystems, 1, 45-56.
4. Iwu M.M. (2000) J. Ethno-pharmacology, 21,14-19.
5. Udeala O.K. (2000) Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 32, 6-9.
6. Omoti U. (2000) J. Sci. Food and Agric., 38,67-72.
7. ASAE Standard, 10th Ed.(2000) S3684.Compression Test of Food Materials of Converse Shapes. St. Joseph, Michigan: ASAE.
8. Oje K. (1993) Journal of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, 1, 38-45.
9. Aviara N.A., Haque M.A. and Izge A. (2000) Agro-science, 1(2, 19-34.
10. Khazaei J. and Mann D. (2004) Journal of Scientific Research, 6(2), 50-30.
11. Miruna T. (1999) J. Food Sci., 45,827-830.
12. Srivastava A.K., Mandhars S., and Singh D (1990) Apple bruise prediction models using dimensional analysis. International Agricultural Engineering Conference and Exhibition. Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand 1-4 June, Pg. 30-38.
13. Cakir E. and Alayunk F. (2001) Journal of Biological Sciences, 1 (10), 925-928.
14. Sefa T. and Kazim C. (2004) Mathematical and computational applications, 9 (3), 427-434.
15. Sterling C. (1955) Food Res., 20, 474-479.
16. Paolo P. (2005) Applied Rheology, 15(4), 218- 229.
17. Barenblatt G.I. (1987) Dimensional Analysis. 2nd ed. New York: Gordon and Breach Science Publisher.
18. Murphy G. (1950) Similitude in Engineering. 2nd edition, Donald Press. New York.
19. Langhaar L.H. (1980) Dimensional Analysis and Theory of Models. 2nd ed. Florida: Robert Krieger Publishing Company.
20. Misra R.N. and Young J.H. (1981) Transaction of the ASAE, 24 (5), 1338-1341.
21. SAS (2002) Statistical Analysis Software program package. SAS Institute, Version 9.