Abstract:
The physical and engineering properties of Nutmeg are important for
developing harvesting and different process equipment, for its mass handling
and storage. The study was undertaken to determine the physical and
engineering properties of Ceylon Nutmeg. Samples were collected from the
districts of Kegalle, Kandy, and Matale. Three locations from each district
were chosen based on high availability. Length, breadth, and thickness of the
Kernel were measured with Vernier caliper (Mitutoyo, Japan) and, size,
sphericity, unit volume, projected area, and surface area were calculated
using formulae. All the data was analyzed statistically. The highest average
values of length, breadth, and thickness were found in the Kandy district
(31.17±2.9mm, 24.51 ± 2.18mm, 22.70 ± 1.80mm) and the lowest values
were found in Kegalle(28.01±1.65mm,22.34±1.25mm,20.10±1.43mm)
(p<0.05). The diameter or equivalent size (25.86±2.03mm), sphericity
(0.83±0.04mm), unit volume (9246.64±2076.34cc), projected area
(529.64±80.48mm2
), and surface area (2116.82±321.67mm2
) found in
samples taken from the Kandy district and were reported to have the highest
value for engineering properties. Results indicate that there were significant
differences in these properties between different districts for engineering
properties. The technical data obtained in this study may be useful in the
design of machines for the handling and processing of nutmeg seeds.
