Physical Properties of Shelled and Kernel Walnuts as Affected by the Moisture Content



Similar documents
Physical and mechanical properties of soybean

Selected Physical Properties of Soybean In Relation To Storage Design

The Influence of Drying on Some Physical Properties of Laurel Berry

Moisture Effect on Physical Properties of Knotweed (Polygonum cognatum Meissn.) seeds

An Analytical Study on Production and Export of Fresh and Dry Fruits in Jammu and Kashmir

Fluid Mechanics: Static s Kinematics Dynamics Fluid

Pressure in Fluids. Introduction

Measurement of Soil Parameters by Using Penetrometer Needle Apparatus

Determination of Moisture Content

7.2.4 Seismic velocity, attenuation and rock properties

Physical and Thermal Properties of Pistachios

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 3, CE 427 DRYING OF SOLIDS

Understanding Plastics Engineering Calculations

A software for calculation of optimum conditions for cotton, viscose, polyester and wool based yarn bobbins in a hot-air bobbin dryer

Experiment: Static and Kinetic Friction

Hydraulics Laboratory Experiment Report

CHAPTER 6 WEAR TESTING MEASUREMENT

A New Mathematical Modeling of Banana Fruit and Comparison with Actual Values of Dimensional Properties

LABORATORY DETERMINATION OF CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO

Introduction: Growth analysis and crop dry matter accumulation

Brewer s Spent Grain (BSG) is the granular byproduct from beer brewing. It mainly consists of barley as this is the major raw material used in the

Sugar Content Estimation of Date (Phoenix dactylifera, L.) Fruits in Tamr Stage

Relationship between the percentage of clay with liquid limit, plastic limit and plastic index in four different soils texture class

Oil Extraction Optimization and Kinetics from Moringa Oleifera (PKM 1) Seeds

RICE QUALITY AND PROCESSING. Comparison of Milling Characteristics of Hybrid and Pureline Rice Cultivars

Numerical Analysis of Independent Wire Strand Core (IWSC) Wire Rope

Physical properties of bottle gourd seeds

CFD SIMULATION OF SDHW STORAGE TANK WITH AND WITHOUT HEATER

COEFFICIENT OF KINETIC FRICTION

Effect of Drying Temperature and Drying Air Velocity on the Drying Rate and Drying Constant of Cocoa Bean

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT AND OIL PALM FROND WASTE MIXTURE AS AN ALTERNATIVE BIOMASS FUEL

Fric-3. force F k and the equation (4.2) may be used. The sense of F k is opposite

INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY FEDERATION PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TEST PROCEDURES FOR HOCKEY BALLS. Published: April 1999

1.72, Groundwater Hydrology Prof. Charles Harvey Lecture Packet #2: Aquifers, Porosity, and Darcy s Law. Lake (Exposed Water Table)

Determination of source parameters from seismic spectra

Head Loss in Pipe Flow ME 123: Mechanical Engineering Laboratory II: Fluids

XI / PHYSICS FLUIDS IN MOTION 11/PA

Kinetic Friction. Experiment #13

Natural Convection. Buoyancy force

Mechanical Properties of Metals Mechanical Properties refers to the behavior of material when external forces are applied

DEVELOPMENT OF A SOFTWARE TO DETERMINE THE EMITTER CHARACTERISTICS AND THE OPTIMUM LENGTH OF NEW DESIGNED DRIP IRRIGATION LATERALS

MEASUREMENT OF VISCOSITY OF LIQUIDS BY THE STOKE S METHOD

LEROY MERLÍN FUNDACIÓN JUAN XXIII-IBERMAIL. A Study of Forest Biomass Sustainability SHOUF BIOSPHERE RESERVE, LEBANON THERMAL BIOMASS PROJECT 2013

Pistillate Flower Abscission in Turkish Walnut Cultivars and Its Reduction by AVG

oil liquid water water liquid Answer, Key Homework 2 David McIntyre 1

Compression load testing straw bale walls. Peter Walker Dept. Architecture & Civil Engineering University of Bath Bath BA2 7AY.

Investigation of the Effect of Dynamic Capillary Pressure on Waterflooding in Extra Low Permeability Reservoirs

P. Lu, Sh. Huang and K. Jiang

Managing Ghana s Export Trade for Economic Development

Apr 17, 2000 LAB MANUAL

Millikan Oil Drop Experiment Matthew Norton, Jurasits Christopher, Heyduck William, Nick Chumbley. Norton 0

Sheet Resistance = R (L/W) = R N L

Physics Lab Report Guidelines

BEYOND THE WILD NUT: MOVING TOWARD PROFITABLE BLACK WALNUT NUT CROPS

A LAMINAR FLOW ELEMENT WITH A LINEAR PRESSURE DROP VERSUS VOLUMETRIC FLOW ASME Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting

Impact damage to apple fruits in commercial corrugated fiberboard box packaging evaluated by the pressure-sensitive film technique

01 The Nature of Fluids

Crop production million ha million tonnes PART 1. CHART 7: Harvested area of the most important crops in Central Asia (2010)

Battery Thermal Management System Design Modeling

CONSTANT HEAD AND FALLING HEAD PERMEABILITY TEST

Lecture 16 - Free Surface Flows. Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics

Coupling Forced Convection in Air Gaps with Heat and Moisture Transfer inside Constructions

Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli , Tamil Nadu, India

Practice Problems on Boundary Layers. Answer(s): D = 107 N D = 152 N. C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 1 of 17 Last Updated: 2010 Nov 22

Determination of Acceleration due to Gravity

STATIC AND KINETIC FRICTION

INTRODUCTION TO SOIL MODULI. Jean-Louis BRIAUD 1

Basic Equations, Boundary Conditions and Dimensionless Parameters

Analysis of Lebanon s Food Market ( )

Experimental Evaluation Of The Frost Formation

Physics 181- Summer Experiment #8 1 Experiment #8, Measurement of Density and Archimedes' Principle

Density Determinations and Various Methods to Measure

Grammage of paper and paperboard (weight per unit area) (Revision of T 410 om-08) (underscores and strikeouts indicate changes from Draft 1)

Journal bearings/sliding bearings

CHAPTER 4 4 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

BETONYP building boards. The modern way of living.

Fire-Damage or Freeze-Thaw of Strengthening Concrete Using Ultra High Performance Concrete

Experiment 3 Pipe Friction

COMMISSION REGULATION (EU)

CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS

Use of Strain Gauge Rosette to Investigate Stress concentration in Isotropic and Orthotropic Plate with Circular Hole

A COMPACT MODEL FOR PREDICTING ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE

Aim for an intake of *milligrams (mg)/day

For Water to Move a driving force is needed

Lecture slides on rolling By: Dr H N Dhakal Lecturer in Mechanical and Marine Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Plymouth

SLOT FRINGING EFFECT ON THE MAGNETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINES

CFD SUPPORTED EXAMINATION OF BUOY DESIGN FOR WAVE ENERGY CONVERSION

Hydraulic losses in pipes

Correlations Between Citrus Fruit Properties and Ascorbic Acid Content

Harvesting Dry Bean John Nowatzki, NDSU Extension Agricultural Machine Systems Specialist

Figure CPT Equipment

Transcription:

Czech J. Food Sci. Vol. 28, 2010, No. 6: 547 556 Physical Properties of Shelled and Kernel Walnuts as Affected by the Moisture Content Ebubekir Altuntas and Mehmet Erkol Department of Agricultural Machinery, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Gaziosmanpasa, Tasliciftlik, Tokat, Turkey Abstract Altuntas E., Erkol M. (2010): Physical properties of shelled and kernel walnuts as affected by the moisture content. Czech J. Food Sci., 28: 547 556. The variations in physical properties such as the size dimensions, unit mass, sphericity, projected area, bulk density, true density, volume, coefficient of friction on various surfaces, and terminal velocity of shelled and kernel walnuts as a function of the moisture content were determined. With an increase in the moisture content, the sphericity, projected area, bulk density, volume, and porosity of shelled and kernel walnuts increased, whereas the true density linearly decreased. Studies on rewetted walnuts showed that the terminal velocity increased from 14.17 m/s to 15.50 m/s, and from 12.60 m/s to 14.35 m/s, for shelled and kernel walnuts, respectively. The static and dynamic coefficients of friction of shelled and kernel walnuts on chipboard and plywood surfaces also increased linearly with an increase in the moisture content. Keywords: walnut (Juglans regia L.); physical properties; moisture content The walnut (Juglans regia L.) has a rich nutritient composition (oil, protein, vitamin and mineral) and high calorific content. Walnuts are mainly produced in China, USA, Iran, and Turkey. Turkey provides 11% of the world production of 1 150 000 t (FAO 2006). Walnut cultivars differ in the ability to produce light-coloured kernels under different climatic conditions. Important quality factors of walnuts are the size, colour, level of internal damage caused by insects, and level of external damage, such as adhering hull tissue and broken shells (Ramos 1998). Walnuts are the second most important product after hazelnuts of Turkey. Walnuts have a special value in traditional Turkish foods. The most important walnut cultivars are: Şebin, Yalova 1, 2, 3, 4 and Bilecik (Şen 1986; Akça 2001; Çağlarırmak 2003). The physical properties of shelled and kernel walnutsas established by the Turkish Standard Institute TS 1275 and TS 1276 (TSE 1990, 1991) are the shelled and kernel weights, kernel ratio, shell shape, and size dimensions (TSE 1990, 1991). The information on the physical properties such as the size dimensions, sphericity, porosity, volume, bulk and true densities, coefficient of friction, and terminal velocity is important to design the equipments used in harvesting, transporting, storing, handling, and processing of shelled and kernel walnuts. The coefficient of friction of shelled and kernel walnuts on various surfaces is also important to design the conveying, transporting, and storing equipments. Bulk density and porosity play an important role in designing the storage facilities of walnuts. In recent years, the variation of physical properties as affected by the moisture content have been studied in various nut crops such as castor nuts (Olaoye 2000), raw cashew nuts (Balasubramanian 2001), hazelnuts (Aydin 2002), Turkish 547

Vol. 28, 2010, No. 6: 547 556 Czech J. Food Sci. mahalebs (Aydin et al. 2002), arecanut kernels (Kaleemullah & Gunasekar 2002), groundnut kernels (Olajide & Igbeka 2003), almond nuts and kernels (Aydin 2003), shea nuts (Aviara et al. 2005), pine nuts (Özgüven & Vursavuş 2005), African nutmegs (Burubai et al. 2007), and olive fruits (Kılıçkan & Güner 2008). Koyuncu et al. (2004) and Sharifan and Derafshi (2008) studied the mechanical behaviour of walnut cultivars under compression loading. However, there is a paucity of technical information and data in the scientific literature with regards to the physical properties of shelled and kernel walnuts as affected by the moisture content. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate physical properties of shelled and kernel walnuts as affected by the moisture content changes. Materials and methods The walnuts were obtained in the production year of 2006 from the walnut orchard of a native producer in Denizli, Turkey. The Yalova-1 walnut cultivar was used in this study. The samples were cleaned to remove the impurities and damaged and broken walnuts. The initial moisture contents of the walnut samples were determined by oven drying at 105 ± 1 C for 24 h (Suthar & Das 1996). The desired moisture contents of the shelled and kernel walnuts were obtained using the method recommended by Olaniyan and Oje (2002). In this method, the walnut samples at the desired moisture levels were prepared by soaking the walnuts in water for 3 h and 12 h, respectively. The samples were stored in cellophane bags in the freezer at about 10 C for 48 hours. Subsequently, they were removed from the freezer 24 h before the experiment to allow their gradual thawing and obtain moisture equilibrium within the samples. The moisture contents for the shelled and kernel walnuts ranged between 11.46% to 23.16% and 4.93% to 32.25% d.b. (dry basis), respectively. Physical properties of shelled and kernel walnuts were investigated at three moisture levels. Ten replications of each test were conducted at each moisture level. For each moisture content, the length, width, thickness, and unit mass of the shelled and kernel walnuts were measured with randomly selected 100 walnuts. The length, width, thickness, and shell thickness of the walnuts were measured by a dial-micrometer to an accuracy of 0.01 mm. The geometric mean diameter (D g ) and sphericity (Φ) of the shelled and kernel walnuts were calculated using the following relationships (Mohsenin 1970): D g = (LWT) ⅓ (1) Φ = [ D g ] L 100 (2) where: L length W width T thickness in mm (Figure 1) The unit mass of the shelled and kernel walnuts was measured with a digital electronic balance with a sensitivity of 0.01 g. The shelled and kernel walnuts were placed on a sheet of paper, and the boundary lines were traced. The projected area was measured by a digital planimeter (Roller- Type, KP90N, No.R02443, Koizumi, Japan) (Sirisomboon et al. 2007). The true density of the shelled and kernel walnuts was determined by the toluene (C 7 H 8 ) displacement method (Mohsenin 1970; Sitkei 1976; Sacilik et al. 2003). Bulk density was determined using the standard test weight procedure (Singh & Goswami 1996). The porosity (ε) was determined by the following equation: ε = [ 1 ρ b ] ρ t 100 (3) where: ρ b, ρ t bulk and true densities, respectively (Mohsenin 1970) The coefficient of friction of the shelled and kernel walnuts was measured by a friction device. The device of friction force measuring was formed by a metal box, a friction surface, and an electronic (b) Figure 1. Description of three perpendicular dimensions of shelled and kernel (b) walnuts 548

Czech J. Food Sci. Vol. 28, 2010, No. 6: 547 556 Loadcell Travel direction Sample Normal force Friction surface Friction force Figure 2. A schematic appearance of the measuring device of friction force unit (Kara et al. 1997; Altuntas & Demirtola 2007). Friction force was measured with a loadcell, converted by the ADC (Analog digital converter) card, and the data were recorded in a computer. The schematic appearance of the friction force measuring device is shown in Figure 2. The coefficient of friction (µ) is defined as the ratio between the measured friction force (F) and normal force (N). The maximum value of the friction force was obtained when the box started operating. This value was used to calculate the static coefficient of friction. While the box continued to slide on the friction surface at 0.02 m/s velocity, the dynamic coefficient of friction (average value) was measured. The experiments were conducted using friction surfaces of chipboard and plywood. For each experiment, the sample box was emptied and refilled with a different sample of the same moisture content (Sacilik et al. 2003). The terminal velocities of the shelled and kernel walnuts were measured using an air column. A walnut sample was dropped into the air stream at the top of the air column through which air was blown upwards to suspend the walnuts in the air stream in each test. The air velocity was measured by Testo 425 (Lenzkirch, Germany measurement range 0 20 m/s) electronic anemometer having a least 0.01 m/s count (Mohsenin 1970). Statistical analyses were conducted with Microsoft Excel and SPSS 10.0 software (SPSS 2000). The results of the experiments were analysed based on the randomised complete block design with a split plot. Results and Discussion Size dimension Approximately 72% of the shelled walnuts had a length ranging from 42.79 mm to 45.46 mm, about 78% of the samples a width ranging from 35.96 mm to 37.58 mm, about 75% a thickness ranging from 34.21 mm to 36.21 mm, and about 79% a unit mass ranging from 17.42 g to 19.79 g at 11.46% moisture content (Figure 3). With kernel walnuts, about 85% had a length ranging from 32.08 mm to 35.42 mm, about 79% a width ranging from 28.08 mm to 32.33 mm, about 96% a thickness ranging from 23.50 mm to 27.25 mm, and about 69% a unit mass ranging from 6.96 g to 8.58 g at 4.93% moisture content (Figure 4). The average length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, and unit mass of the shelled walnut ranged between 44.25 mm to 44.80 mm, 36.58 37.00 mm, 34.99 mm Number of the sample 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 Length (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Mass (g) 0 Mass (g) 16.63 17.42 17.42 18.21 18.21 19.00 19.00 19.79 19.79 20.58 20.58 21.38 Thickness (mm) 32.88 33.54 33.54 34.21 34.21 34.88 34.88 35.54 35.54 36.21 36.21 36.88 Width (mm) 34.88 35.42 35.42 35.96 35 96 6.50 36.50 37.04 37.04 37.58 37.58 38.13 Length (mm) 42.13 42.79 42.79 43.46 43.46 44.13 44.13 44.79 44.79 45.46 45.46 46.13 Shelled walnut dimension Figure 3. The frequency distribution curves of shelled walnut length, width, thickness and unit mass of the walnut at 11.46% moisture content (d.b.) 549

Vol. 28, 2010, No. 6: 547 556 Czech J. Food Sci. Number of the sample 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Length (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Mass (g) 0 Mass (g) 5.88 6.42 6.42 6.96 6.96 7.50 7.50 8.04 8.04 8.58 8.58 9.13 Length (mm) 31.25 32.08 32.08 32.93 32.92 33.75 33.75 34.58 34.58 35.42 35.42 36.25 Width (mm) 25.25 26.67 26.67 28.08 28.08 29.50 29.50 30.92 30.92 32.33 32.33 33.75 Thickness (mm) 22.25 23.50 23.50 24.75 24.75 26.00 26.00 27.25 27.25 28.50 28.50 29.75 to 35.55 mm, 38.18 mm to 38.97 mm and 18.84 g to 21.28 g, respectively, as the moisture content increased from 11.46% to 23.16% d.b. As the moisture content increased from 11.46% to 23.16%, the average shell thickness of the walnuts increased from 1.628 mm to 1.667 mm. The effect of the moisture content on the shell thickness of walnuts was not significant. Sphericity The results obtained of sphericity of the shelled and kernel walnuts are presented in Figure 5. As the moisture content increased from 11.46% Kernel walnut dimension Figure 4. The frequency distribution curves of kernel walnut length, width, thickness and unit mass of the walnut at 4.93% moisture content (d.b.) to 23.16%, the average sphericity of the shelled walnuts increased from 86.34% to 86.85%, respectively. The corresponding sphericity values for the kernels increased from 85.26% to 86.03% as the moisture content increased from 4.93% to 32.25%, respectively. The effect of the moisture content on kernel sphericity of walnuts was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The relationship between the moisture content (M c ) and sphericity of the shelled walnuts (Φ s ) and sphericity of the kernel walnuts (Φ k ) were defined by the following equations; Φ s = 86.01 + 0.26 M c (R 2 = 0.779) (4) Φ k = 84.93 + 0.39 M c (R 2 = 0.936) (5) Sphericity (%) 90 88 86 Sphericity Projected area 50 48 46 Projected area (cm 2 ) (b) Sphericity (%) 88 87 86 85 Sphericity Projected area 32 30 28 26 24 Projected area (cm 2 ) 84 44 84 11.46 15.29 23.16 4.93 25.75 32.25 Figure 5. Effect of moisture content on sphericity and projected area of shelled and kernel (b) walnuts 22 550

Czech J. Food Sci. Vol. 28, 2010, No. 6: 547 556 Similar trends have also been reported by Aydın et al. (2002) for Turkish mahaleb and by Gezer et al. (2003) for apricot pit and kernel. Projected area The experimental results for the projected area of the shelled and kernel walnuts with respect to the moisture content are given in Figure 5. Linear increases in the projected areas for the shelled and kernel walnuts were observed from 45.80 cm 2 to 47.74 cm 2, and from 27.24 cm 2 to 29.93 cm 2 with the increasing moisture content from 11.46% to 23.16%, and from 4.93% to 32.25%, respectively. The value of the walnut projected area generally increased with an increase in the moisture content with both the shelled and kernel walnuts. A sligth increase (4.06%) with the shelled and a considerable increase (8.99%) with kernel walnuts occured in the projected areas at the moisture contents studied (Figure 3). The effects of the moisture content on the projected areas of the shelled and kernel walnuts were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The relationships between the moisture content (M c ) and the projected area of the shelled walnuts (P s ) or the projected area of the kernel walnuts (P k ) were described by the following equations: P s = 44.74 + 0.97 M c (R 2 = 0.975) (6) P k = 26.14 + 1.35 M c (R 2 = 0.910) (7) Similar trends have also been reported by Gezer et al. (2003) for apricot pit and kernel, by Aydın (2002) for hazelnut and kernel, by Aydın (2003) for almond nut and kernel, by Pliestic et al. (2006) for filbert nut and kernel, and by Aydın (2006) for peanut and kernel.. Bulk density The bulk density at different moisture levels for the shelled (ρ bs ) and kernel walnuts (ρ bk ) varied from 259.19 kg/m 3 to 318.04 kg/m 3 and from 227.22 kg/m 3 to 248.63 kg/m 3, respectively (Figure 6), indicating an increase in the bulk density with an increase in the moisture content. The bulk density of the walnuts increased for the shelled ones and the kernels as the moisture content increased. The effect of the moisture content on the bulk density of the shelled walnuts and of the kernel walnuts was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The relationships between the moisture content (M c ) and bulk densities of shelled and kernel walnuts were described by the following linear equations: ρ bs = 232.57 + 29.43 M c (R 2 = 0.974) (8) ρ bk = 218.60 + 10.71 M c (R 2 = 0.898) (9) Positive linear relationships between the bulk density and the moisture content have also been reported by Paksoy and Aydın (2004) for edible squash seed, by Çalışır and Aydın (2004) for cherry laurel, and by Kabas et al. (2006) for cactus pear. Bulk density (kg/m 3 ) 400 350 300 250 200 Bulk density True density 850 800 750 700 650 True density (kg/m 3 ) (b) Bulk density (kg/m 3 ) 350 300 250 200 150 Bulk density True density 1100 1050 1000 950 900 True density (kg/m 3 ) 150 11.46 15.29 23.16 600 100 4.93 25.75 32.25 850 Figure 6. Effect of moisture content on bulk density and true densities of shelled and kernel (b) walnuts 551

Vol. 28, 2010, No. 6: 547 556 Czech J. Food Sci. True density The true density of the shelled and kernel walnuts at different moisture levels varied from 761.60 kg/m 3 to 803.42 kg/m 3 and from 1000.44 to 924.91 kg/m 3, respecively (Figure 6). The true density of the shelled and kernel walnuts generally decreased as the moisture content increased. The effect of the moisture content on the true density of the shelled walnuts was not statistically significant. An increase (5.20%) for the shelled walnuts and a decrease (7.55%) for the kernel walnuts in true density were recorded in the moisture content range from 11.46% to 23.16% and from 4.93% to 32.25% for the shelled and kernel walnuts, respectively. Negative linear relationships between the moisture content (M c ) and the true density of the shelled (ρ ts ) and kernel walnuts (ρ tk ) were described by the following equations: ρ ts = 734.86 20.91 M c (R 2 = 0.811) (10) ρ tk = 1041.40 37.77 M c (R 2 = 0.979) (11) The negative linear relationships between true density and the moisture content have also been reported by Pliestic et al. (2006) for filbert nut and kernel, by Aydin (2002) for hazelnut and kernel, and by Akar and Aydın (2005) for gumbo fruit, respectively. Porosity The results obtained for the porosity of the shelled and kernel walnuts are presented in Figure 7. The porosity of the shelled and kernel walnuts decreased with an increase in the moisture content. The effect of the moisture content on porosity was statistically significant. The relationships between the moisture content (M c ) and porosity of the shelled (ε s ) and kernel (ε k ) walnuts were described by the following equations: ε s = 68.08 2.78 M c (R 2 = 0.852) (12) ε k = 79.27 2.09 M c (R 2 = 0.992) (13) Similar results were also reported by Gezer et al. (2003) for apricot pit and kernel, by Aydin et al. (2002) for Turkish mahaleb, and by Çalışır and Aydın (2004) for cherry laurel. Volume of walnut The data obtained for the volumes of the shelled and kernel walnuts are presented in Figure 7. The average volumes of the shelled and kernel walnuts increased with an increase in the moisture content. The volume increases (6.08%) for the shelled and (13.17%) for the kernel walnuts were recorded at the moisture contents studied. The effect of the moisture content on the shelled and kernel walnuts volumes was significant (P < 0.05). The relationships between the moisture content (M c ) and the volumes of the shelled (V s ) and kernel (V k ) walnuts were described by following equations: V s = 28.44 + 0.96 M c (R 2 = 0.975) (14) V k = 12.68 + 1.03 M c (R 2 = 0.914) (15) 40 Volume Porosity 70 (b) 17 Volume Porosity 80 35 65 16 78 Volume (cm 3 ) 30 25 60 55 Porosity (%) Volume (cm 3 ) 15 14 13 76 74 72 Porosity (%) 20 11.46 15.29 23.16 50 12 4.93 25.75 32.25 70 Figure 7. Effect of moisture content on volume and porosity of shelled and kernel (b) walnuts 552

Czech J. Food Sci. Vol. 28, 2010, No. 6: 547 556 18 (b) 18 Terminal velocity (m/s) 16 14 12 Terminal velocity (m/s) 15 14 13 12 11 10 11.46 15.29 23.16 10 4.93 25.75 32.25 Figure 8. Effect of moisture content on terminal velocity of shelled and kernel (b) walnuts Similar incremental trends have been reported by Özarslan (2002) for cotton seed; by Sahoo and Srivastava (2002) for okra seed, and by Sessiz et al. (2007) for caper. Terminal velocity As the moisture content increased, the average volumes of the shelled and kernel walnuts increased (Figure 8). The terminal velocity of the shelled walnuts increased from 14.17 m/s to 15.50 m/s with the increase in the moisture content studied, respectively. The terminal velocity of the kernel walnut increased from 12.60 m/s to 14.35 m/s. The effect of the moisture content on the terminal velocity of the kernel walnut was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The relationships between the moisture content (M c ) and the terminal velocity of the shelled walnuts (V ts ) and that of the kernel walnuts (V tk ) were described by the following equations: V ts = 13.33 + 0.67 M c (R 2 = 0.823) (16) V tk = 11.90 + 0.88 M c (R 2 = 0.893) (17) The results are similar to those reported by Aydin et al. (2002) for Turkish mahaleb, by Aydin Table 1. Regression coefficients and coefficient of determinations for static and dynamic coefficients of friction on various friction surfaces Walnut Shelled Kernel Surface static coefficient of friction Regression coefficient intercept (A) slope (B) Coefficient of determination (R 2 ) chipboard 0.42 0.04 0.923 plywood 0.25 0.05 0.996 dynamic coefficient of friction chipboard 0.40 0.03 0.964 plywood 0.26 0.02 0.964 static coefficient of friction chipboard 0.12 0.01 0.750 plywood 0.09 0.02 1.000 dynamic coefficient of friction chipboard 0.11 0.01 0.750 plywood 0.08 0.02 0.964 553

Vol. 28, 2010, No. 6: 547 556 Czech J. Food Sci. 0.7 (b) 0.18 Coefficient of friction 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 Chipboard, dynamic Chipboard, static Plywood, dynamic Plywood, static 11.46 15.29 23.16 Coefficient of friction 0.16 0.14 0.12 0.1 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0 Chipboard, dynamic Chipboard, static Plywood, dynamic Plywood, static 4.93 25.75 32.25 Figure 9. Effect of moisture content on static and dynamic coefficient friction of shelled and kernel (b) walnuts against chipboard and plywood surfaces (2002) for hazelnut, by Aydin (2003) for almond nut and kernel, by Paksoy and Aydin (2004) for edible squash seed, and by Akinci et al. (2004) for Juniperus drupacea fruits. The terminal velocities of the walnuts obtained in this study were higher than of the above mentioned agricultural materials. This probably resulted from the mass increase of the individual walnuts per unit frontal area which were exposed to the air flow with an increase in the moisture content (Konak et al. 2002). Static and dynamic coefficient of friction The results of the static and dynamic coefficients of friction on various surfaces, namely chipboard and plywood surfaces, obtained with the shelled and kernel walnuts, were compared and are given in Figure 9. The static coefficient of friction was higher at any moisture content than the dynamic coefficient of friction. The static and dynamic coefficients of friction linearly increased with respect to the moisture contents on the two surfaces. The linear equations for both static and dynamic coefficients of friction on all three surfaces could be described as: µ = A + BM c (18) where: µ coefficient of friction A, B regression coefficients; the corresponding values are given in Table 1. The static and dynamic coefficients of frictions for the shelled walnuts were higher on chipboard than those obtained on plywood for all the moisture contents studied. Due to the increasing adhesion between the product and the surface of the shelled and kernel walnuts at higher moisture content (Nimkar & Chattopadhyay 2001; Konak et al. 2002; Özarslan 2002); the moisture content of the walnuts increased and the static and dynamic coefficients significantly increased. The effects of the moisture content and friction surfaces on the static and dynamic coefficients of friction were significant for the kernel walnuts (P < 0.05). The effects of the moisture content and plywood friction surface on the static and dynamic coefficients of friction were significant for the shelled walnuts (P < 0.05). Similar results were found by others (Pliestic et al. 2006; Aydın 2006). Conclusions The following conclusions are drawn from the investigation on the physical properties of shelled and kernel walnuts as functions of the moisture content. The size dimensions, unit mass, sphericity, projected area, bulk density, volume, porosity, and terminal velocity of the shelled and kernel walnuts increased. The true density linearly decreased with an increase in the moisture content. 554

Czech J. Food Sci. Vol. 28, 2010, No. 6: 547 556 The static and dynamic friction coefficients of the shelled and kernel walnuts on chipboard and plywood surfaces increased with an increase in the moisture content. Acknowledgements. The authors are greatful to Dr. Hikmet Gunal for critical reading and correcting the English. R e f e r e n c e s Akar R., Aydin C. (2005): Some physical properties of gumbo fruit varieties. Journal of Food Engineering, 66: 387 393. Akça Y. (2001): Walnut Growing. Arı Ofset, Tokat, Turkey. (in Turkish) Akinci I., Ozdemir F., Topuz A., Kabas O., Canakci M. (2004): Some physical and nutritional properties of Juniperus drupacea fruits. Journal of Food Engineering, 65: 325 331. Altuntas E., Demirtola H. (2007): Effect of moisture content on physical properties of some grain legume seeds. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 35: 423 433. Aviara N.A., Oluwole F.A., Haque M.A. (2005): Effect of moisture content on some physical properties of sheanut (Butyrospernum paradoxum). International Agrophysics, 19: 193 198. Aydin C. (2002): Physical properties of hazel nuts. Biosystem Engineering, 82: 297 303. Aydin C. (2003): Physical properties of almond nut and true. Journal of Food Engineering, 60: 315 320. Aydin C. (2006). Some engineering properties of peanut and kernel. Journal of Food Engineering, 79: 810 816. Aydin C., Öğüt H., Konak M. (2002): Some physical properties of Turkish Mahaleb. Biosystem Engineering, 82: 231 234. Balasubramanian D. (2001):. Physical properties of raw cashew nut. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 78: 291 297. Burubai W., Akor A.J., Igoni A.H., Puyate Y.T. (2007): Some physical properties of African nutmeg (Monodora myristica). International Agrophysics, 21: 123 126. Çağlarırmak N. (2003): Biochemical and physical properties of some walnut genotypes (Juglans regia L.). Nahrung/Food, 47: 28 32. Çalışır S., Aydın C. (2004): Some physico-mechanical properties of cherry laurel (Prunus lauracerasus L.) fruits. Journal of Food Engineering, 65: 145 150. FAO (2006): Statistical database. Available at http://faostat.fao.org (accessed 12. 11. 2006) Gezer I., Haciseferoğulları H., Demir F. (2003): Some physical properties of Hacıhaliloğlu apricot pit and its kernel. Journal of Food Engineering, 56: 49 57. Kabas O., Ozmerzi A., Akinci I. (2006): Physical properties of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus india L.) grown wild in Turkey. Journal of Food Engineering, 73: 198 202. Kaleemullah S., Gunasekar J.J. (2002): Moisturedependent physical properties of arecanut trues. Biosystem Engineering, 82: 331 338. Kara M., Turgut N., Erkmen Y., Güler I.E. (1997): Determination of coefficient of friction of some granules. In: 17. National Symposium on Mechanization in Agriculture. Tokat, Turkey: 609 614. (in Turkish) Kılıçkan A., Güner M. (2008): Physical properties and mechanical behavior of olive fruits (Olea europaea L.) under compression loading. Journal of Food Engineering, 87: 222 228. Konak M., Çarman K., Aydin C. (2002): Physical properties of chickpea grains. Biosystems Engineering, 82: 73 78. Koyuncu M.A., Ekinci K., Savran E. (2004): Cracking characteristics of walnut. Biosystem Engineering, 87: 305 311. Mohsenin N.N. (1970): Physical Properties of Plant and Animal Materials. Gordon and Breach Science Publishers, New York. Nimkar P.M., Chattopadhyay P.K. (2001): Some physical properties of green gram. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 80: 183 189. Olajide J.D., Igbeka J.C. (2003): Some physical properties of groundnut kernels. Journal of Food Engineering, 58: 201 204. Olaniyan A.M., Oje K. (2002): Some aspects of the mechanical properties of shea nut. Biosystems Engineering, 81: 413 420. Olaoye J.O. (2000): Some physical properties of castor nut relevant to the design of processing equipment. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 77: 113 118. Özarslan C. (2002). Some physical properties of cotton seed. Biosystems Engineering, 83, 169 174. Özgüven F., Vursavuş K. (2005): Some physical, mechanical and aerodynamic properties of pine (Pinus pinea) nuts. Journal of Food Engineering, 68: 191 196. Paksoy M., Aydin A. (2004): Some physical properties of edible squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) seeds. Journal of Food Engineering, 65: 225 231. 555

Vol. 28, 2010, No. 6: 547 556 Czech J. Food Sci. Pliestic S., Dobricevic N., Filipovic D., Gospodaric, Z. (2006). Physical properties of filbert nut and kernel. Biosystems Engineering, 93: 173 178. Ramos D.E. (1998): Walnut Production Manual. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, California. Publication 3373. Sacilik K., Öztürk R., Keskin R. (2003): Some physical properties of hemp grain. Biosystems Engineering, 86, 213 215. Sahoo P.K., Srivastava A.P. (2002): Physical properties of okra seed. Biosystems Engineering, 83: 441 444. Şen S.M. (1986): Walnut Growing. Eser Matbaası, Samsun-Turkey. (in Turkish) Sessiz A., Esgici R., Kızıl S. (2007): Moisture-dependent physical properties of caper (Capparis ssp.) fruit. Journal of Food Engineering, 79: 1426 1431. Sharifian F., Derafshi M.H. (2008): Mechanical behavior of walnut under cracking conditions. Journal of Applied Sciences, 8: 886 890. Sitkei G. (1976): Mechanics of Agricultural Materials. Budapest, Akademia Kiado. Singh K.K, Goswami K.K. (1996). Physical properties of cumin seed. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 64: 93 98. Sirisomboon P., Pornchaloempong P., Romphophak T. (2007): Physical properties of green soybean: criteria for sorting. Journal of Food Engineering, 79: 18 22. SPSS (2000): SPSS for Windows. Student version. Release 10.0.9 Spss Inc /L United States. Suthar S.H, Das S.K. (1996). Some physical properties of karingda [Citrus lanatus (Thunb) Mansf ] seeds. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 65: 15 22. TSE (1990): Unshelled walnuts, TS 1275. Turkish Standard Institute, Ankara-Turkey. TSE (1991): Walnut kernels. TS 1276,. Turkish Standard Institute, Ankara-Turkey. Received for publication October 25, 2008 Accepted after corrections March 31, 2010 Corresponding author: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebubekir Altuntas, University of Gaziosmanpasa, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Machinery, 60240 Tasliciftlik, Tokat, Turkey tel.: + 90 356 252 16 16, e-mail: ealtuntas @ gop.edu.tr 556