| Physical properties of Detarium microcarpum seed were investigated as a function of moisture content with a view to exploring the possibility of developing its bulk handling and processing equipment. In the moisture range of 8.2%–28.5% (d.b.), the major, intermediate and the minor axes increased from 2.95–3.21 cm, 1.85–2.61 cm, and 0.40–1.21 cm respectively. The arithmetic mean, geometric mean and equivalent sphere effective diameters determined at the same moisture level were significantly different from each other with the arithmetic mean diameter being of the highest value. The seed can be described as an irregularly shaped spherical disc. In the above moisture range, the surface area, one thousand seed weight, particle density and porosity increased... |
