MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF CUMIN SEED (CUMINUM-CYMINUM LINN.) UNDER COMPRESSIVE LOADING

The moisture dependent mechanical properties of cumin seed were measur ed in terms of average compressive force, seed rupture force, deformat ion and energy absorbed. The cumin seeds in the moisture content range of 7 to 22% d.b. were quasi-statically loaded in the horizontal and v ertical orientations. The force increased with increasing deformation and decreasing moisture content in the horizontal and vertical orienta tions. Force required to initiate seed rupture decreased from 50 to 40 N and 31 to 20.3 N and seed deformation increased from 0.307 to 0.327 and 0.285 to 0.428 with increase in moisture content from 7 to 13% db . and 7 to 12% db. for the horizontal and vertical orientations respec tively. The energy absorbed increased with increasing moisture content in the horizontal and vertical orientations and it followed a second- order polynomial regression. Cumin seed loaded in the vertical orienta tion required more energy for rupture than that in the horizontal orie ntation. Maximum energy absorbed was found to be 14.8 and 20.4 mi at t he moisture content of 7% db. in the horizontal and vertical orientati ons respectively. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited All rights reserve d.