Effect of moisture content and loading orientation on the mechanical properties of Adansonia digitata seeds: Implications for design of equipment for processing
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Author |
Hayford Ofori, Eric Amoah Asante, Samuel Kojo Ahorsu, Francis Amoah and Evans Kwami Buami
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e-ISSN |
1819-6608 |
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On Pages
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1633-1644
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Volume No. |
20
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Issue No. |
19
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Issue Date |
January 10, 2026
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.59018/1025185
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Keywords |
crushing strength, seed compression, rupture force, energy absorbed.
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Abstract
To construct processing equipment for agricultural biological materials, it is essential to understand how moisture content (MC) and seed compression orientations affect the seeds’ mechanical properties and how these effects can be factored into the design of processing equipment. This experiment looked at how variations in baobab seed MC and seed orientations affect mechanical properties when subjected to compression. Scientifically acceptable methods were employed for the study. An Instron machine was used to compress the seeds at varying MC levels, ranging from 5.4% to 20.6% on a wet basis, and at different seed loading orientations. The vertical loading orientation of the seed resulted in a decrease in rupture force, crushing strength, and absorbed energy. They decreased from 1157.1 N to 915.06 N, 13.72 N mm⁻² to 8.92 N mm⁻², and 3968.4 N mm to 3162.59 N mm, respectively. Furthermore, in the horizontal seed loading orientation, they decreased from 805.9 N to 627.58 N, 11.33 N mm⁻² to 6.58 N mm⁻², and 1294.68 N mm to 1009.63 N mm, respectively. The effect of baobab seed loading orientations and moisture content on the mechanical properties studied was found to be statistically significant at p≤0.05. The study has elucidated the influence of moisture content and baobab seed loading orientations on the mechanical properties of baobab seeds, as well as the implications for equipment selection and design in seed processing.
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