Moisture dependent physical properties of Lagenaria siceraria seed

Abstract: The investigation was done to evaluate the effect of moisture content on some physical properties of Lagenaria siceraria seed. The study was conducted at five moisture levels including 8.84%, 10.10%, 11.89%, 12.60% and 15.10% (wet basis). Results showed that the mean value of principal dimensions, average diameters, surface area and 1000 seed mass increased linearly but aspect ratio decreased with increase in moisture content. The sphericity increased in the moisture range of 8.84% to 11.89% but decreased with further raise in the moisture up to 15.10%. Gravimetric properties like bulk density increased with increase in moisture content however true density and porosity decreased linearly with increase in moisture content. Angle of repose and terminal velocity increased linearly with moisture content of the seed. The coefficient of friction increased linearly with seed moisture content on five experimental surfaces (plywood, galvanized iron, glass and plastic). The information pertaining to moisture dependant physical properties of Lagenaria siceraria seeds may become an essential part in design of processing machines and its unit operations, design of dehulling, oil expression and other processing equipments.