Physical properties of in-shelled walnuts and kernels effected by moisture content

Abstract

All the physical properties of the sample were assessed at moisture levels of 9%, 12%and 15% for whole almond and 4%, 5.5%, 7% for in shelled walnut and walnut kernel with three replications at each level. The average length, width, thickness, the geometric mean diameter, arthematic mean diameter and sphericity increased with increase in moisture content and values obtained ranged from 25.43mm-28.59 mm, 21.74mm- 24.77mm, 20.19- 22.65mm, 22.35mm – 25.22mm, 22.45mm – 25.34mm, 87.81% to 88.20% of inshell walnuts and 22.92mm-25.32mm, 19.05mm-21.45mm, 17.12mm- 18.44mm, 19.55mm 22.16, 19.70mm- 22.27mm, 85%- 87.51% for walnut kernel respectively. The values for bulk density increased from 241.25 kg/cm3 – 275.36 kg/cm3 at 9 to 15 % of moisture content in case of inshelled walnuts and 217.0 kg/cm3 241.16 kg/cm3 at 4% to 7% moisture content in walnut kernels. However porosity increased from 68.23 – 63.06 and specific gravity increased from 0.90 - 0.86. Similar case was found in the walnut kernels. The angle of repose increased from 33.42 to 35.81 in in-shelled and from to 31.52 to 33.95 in case of walnut kernels.