Some Physical Properties of Palmyrah Palm (Borassus flabellifer L.) Fruits
P. C. Vengaiah *
Horticultural Research Station, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Pandirimamidi – 533 288, India.
S. Kaleemullah
PHETC, RARS, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati – 517 502, India.
M. Madhava
Dr.NTR College of Agricultural Engineering, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Bapatla – 522 101, India.
A. Mani
Dr.NTR College of Agricultural Engineering, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Bapatla – 522 101, India.
B. Sreekanth
Agriculture College, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Bapatla – 522 101, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Some physical properties of palmyrah fruit were investigated in this study. The average values of major, medium, minor and geometric mean diameters of fresh whole palmyrah fruit were 11.54,10.45, 9.85 and 10.64 cm respectively at 47.34 % (w.b) moisture content whereas that of palmyrah nut were 8.59, 7.35, 4.99 and 6.79 cm respectively at 8% (w.b) moisture content. Sphericity, surface area and aspect ratio were found to be 91.94%, 359.17 cm2 and 0.90 for fruit and whereas that of nut were 79.19%, 145.16 cm2 and 0.86 respectively. The average mass of the individual palmyrah fruit and nut was 927.78 and 248.10 g whereas bulk density was 525.92 and 693.0 kg/m3 respectively. The coefficient of static friction on mild steel, glass and plywood surfaces were 0.27, 0.21 and 0.25 for palmyrah fruit and 0.36, 0.28 and 0.27 for nut respectively. The angle of repose of palmyrah fruit and nut were 30.77 and 44.03 respectively.
Keywords: Angle of repose, coefficient of friction, density, palmyrah fruit, porosity, sphericity