MOISTURE DEPENDENT PHYSICAL AND UNIAXIAL COMPRESSION PROPERTIES OF BLACK PEPPER

The physical and uniaxial compression properties of black pepper (Pipe r nigrum L.) seed at different moisture contents (8-32%, dry weight ba sis) were determined. The physical properties such as size, roundness, sphericity, bulk density, angle of repose and flowability, and differ ent uniaxial compression parameters (failure force, failure strain, li near strain limit, energy for failure and deformation modulus) were de termined. The roundness and sphericity values were in the neighbourhoo d of I I and 95%, respectively, indicating a near spherical shape of t he seed. An increase in moisture content increased angle of repose but decreased flowability, particularly when the moisture content was abo ve 14% (dry basis). The deformation modulus was also sensitive to mois ture content of the seed, and decreased from 44.5 to 14.1 N/mm with an increase in moisture content (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All r ights reserved.