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Characterisation of Properties for Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) Seeds and Kernels in Relation to Bulk Handling and Processing Applications

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Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate engineering properties (viz. mass, density, volume, porosity, surface area, specific surface area, coefficient of friction, angle of repose, mechanical properties and colour) and chemical characteristics (moisture, oil and protein content) of Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) seeds and kernels. The length (l), width (w) and thickness (t) values indicated that the kernels are more spherical than the seeds. Average sphericity values of seeds and kernels were, 0.42 and 0.63, respectively. Although bulk densities did not vary, the true density of kernels was almost 2.5 times that of seeds. Kernels exhibited less coefficient of friction compared to seeds over different surfaces. Oil and protein content of kernels were found to be 35 and 18%, respectively. Mechanical properties in terms of rupture force (RF, N), hardness (H, N mm−1), deformation (RD, mm) and energy for rupture (ER, N mm) were measured. While RF and ER were marginally more for seeds, kernels were harder as registered from the H values. Pearson correlation coefficient indicated high (r = 0.847 at p < 0.001) correlation between t and unit weight (wt) of seeds. Statistically significant (R2 > 0.9, p < 0.001) linear models could also be developed for kernels with t and wt as dependent variables, respectively.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the efforts of Regional Manager, TRIFED, Bhopal, India, for the voluntary contribution of Pongamia pinnata seeds. The assistance received from the Biochemistry Laboratory, Agro Produce Processing Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, India, is also duly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agro Produce Processing Division, ICAR - Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal, 462038, India

    Subir Kumar Chakraborty, Narendra Singh Chandel, Nachiket Kotwaliwale & R. H. Sadvatha

  2. College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, India

    Vinayak Dattatray Fasake, Sasanka Sekhar Mishra & Thutturu Sravan

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  1. Subir Kumar Chakraborty
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  2. Narendra Singh Chandel
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  3. Nachiket Kotwaliwale
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  4. R. H. Sadvatha
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  5. Vinayak Dattatray Fasake
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  6. Sasanka Sekhar Mishra
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  7. Thutturu Sravan
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Correspondence to Subir Kumar Chakraborty.

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Chakraborty, S.K., Chandel, N.S., Kotwaliwale, N. et al. Characterisation of Properties for Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) Seeds and Kernels in Relation to Bulk Handling and Processing Applications. Agric Res 7, 280–289 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-018-0319-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-018-0319-5

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