Abstract
Knowledge of physical and mechanical properties of seeds is an important factor for designing agricultural machines and equipment. A fluted pumpkin is a very important vegetable crop as well known for its high nutritional, medicinal and economic values, but the data on its physical and mechanical properties is still lacking. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of moisture content on the physical (basic dimensions, porosity, bulk and true densities, coefficient of friction, repose angle and sphericity) and mechanical properties of fluted pumpkin seed. These properties were evaluated as a function of moisture content at 45, 50, 55 and 60%. The results revealed that length, width and thickness increased with increasing moisture content. Similarly, an average mass of the seed, volume, surface area, sphericity, angle of repose all increased with increasing moisture content. Bulk density decreased as the moisture content increases. The parameters obtained from this study could be used as a reference data for the design of fluted pumpkin seed handling and processing equipment.
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