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Dynamic mechanical properties of the Russet Burbank potato as related to temperature and bruise susceptibility

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Abstract

An electro-mechanical vibration exciter and a dropped weight impact device were utilized to determine changes in dynamic mechanical properties of the Russet Burbank potato as influenced by temperature. The vibration exciter was utilized to study the compressive stress-strain relationship for core samples of tuberin the frequency range of 50 to 300 Hz and for temperatures from 35 to 85°F (2 to 30°C)

Complex dynamic modulus, storage modulus, and phase angle were found to be independent of temperature but increased with frequency in the interval 50 to 300 Hz. Significant differences in the dynamic mechanical properties of tuber flesh were found according to location along the tuber where the samples were selected. In this study, the complex dynamic modulus was lower for the stem end than for the bud end of the tuber as was the bruise susceptibility

Susceptibility of the tubers to bruise damage was evaluated by impacting the tubers with a dropped weight. Depth of bruise was found to be equivalent to length, width, area, or volume of bruise for determining bruise susceptibility. When the velocity of approach of the weight was considered, the ability to predict changes in bruise susceptibility was doubled over that of using temperature alone. This is an improtant finding because it may account for some of the unexplained variations in results of some previous studies where the impact device has been used

The response of the Russet Burbank potato to impact was determined by placing a piezoelectric accelerometer in a falling weight. The acceleration-time history of the impact was recorded on a storage oscilloscope. Impact parameters were highly dependent on height of drop. Results of numerical integration of the acceleration-time curves are presented. Peak deformation was found to occur after the point of peak acceleration. Discontinuities in the acceleration-time traces were good indicators of severe damage

Resumen

Para determinar cambios en las propiedades mecánicas dinámicas influenciados por la temperatura de papas Russet Burbank, se usaron un excitador eléctrico-mecánico de vibración y un instrumento de impacto por caida de pesos. El excitador de vibración fue usado para estudiar la relación-compresión-tensión en muestras centrales de tubérculos en el rango de frecuencia de 50–300 Hz y para temperatures desde 35 a 85°F (2–30°C)

Se encontró que el modulo complejo dinámico, el módulo de almacenamiento, y el ángulo de fase fueron independientes de la temperatura, pero incrementaron con la frecuencia en el intervalo 50–300 Hz. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en las propiedades mecánicas del tubérculo de acuerdo a la región, a lo largo del tubérculo, de la cual sé seleccionaron las muestras. En este estudio, el módulo complejo dinámico fue menor para la parte basai que para la parte apical del tubérculo, tal como fue la susceptibilidad al magullamiento

La susceptibilidad de los tubérculos al daño por magullamiento fue evaluada impactando los tubérculos por medio de la caída de un peso. Al determinar la susceptibilidad al magullamiento se encontró que la profundidad de magullamiento fue equivalente al largo, ancho, área o volúmen de magullamiento. Cuando la velocidad de acercamiento del peso fue con siderada, la habilidad de predecir cambios en la susceptibilidad al magullamiento fue el doble de cuando se usó solo la temperatura. Este es un hallazgo importante porque podŕia dar razón de algunas variaciones inexplicadas en los resultados de estudios previos en los cuales se usó el instrumente de impacto

Para determinar la respuesta al impacto en los tubérculos de Russet Burbank se colocó un medidor de aceleración piezoelećtrico en el peso en caída. La historia del tiempo de aceleración del impacto fue registrada por medio de un osciloscopio de almacén. Se presentan los resultados de la integración numérica de las curvas del tiempo de aceleración. Se encontró que la deformación de los picos ocurría a continuación del pico de aceleración. Discontinuidades en las trazas del tiempo de aceleración fueron buenos indicadores de daño severo

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Idaho, 83843, Moscow, Idaho

    C. L. Peterson (Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering)

  2. College of Engineering, Washington State University, 99163, Pullman, Washington

    C. W. Hall (Dean)

Authors
  1. C. L. Peterson
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  2. C. W. Hall
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Additional information

Scientific paper 4371, project 1948, College of Agriculture Research Center, Washington State University

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Peterson, C.L., Hall, C.W. Dynamic mechanical properties of the Russet Burbank potato as related to temperature and bruise susceptibility. American Potato Journal 52, 289–312 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02874443

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02874443

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