AFRICAN BREADFRUIT (TRECULIA AFRICANA) SEED PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS CONSIDERABLE FOR KERNEL CLEANING AND SEED TYPE SELECTION

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe traditional practice of using sharp sand grains as abrasives to de‐slime African breadfruit (Treculia africana) seeds leaves their kernels with traces of these contaminants. Some physical dimensions of the seed, its kernel and hull were determined using two major varieties: var. africana and var. inversa. The fruit head of var. africana was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) heavier and bulkier but contained less number of edible seeds in the pulp than var. inversa. It showed a fractional porosity of 0.309 compared to significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher porosity (0.697) shown in var. inversa. The seed and kernel of var. africana were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) shorter, thicker and wider by 6.54 and 9.42; 2.00 and 2.04; and 10.38 and 16.55%, respectively, than var. inversa. Seed, kernel and hull densities of var. africana were 1.076, 0.984 and 0.072 (g/cm3) while those of var. inversa were 0.883, 0.834 and 0.032 (g/cm3), respectively. The hull contributed 0.19–8.12% to the difference between the seed and kernel shape in var. africana and 2.09–12.26% in var. inversa. The aspect ratio of var. africana seed (59–60) showed that it will behave more closely like a sphere on oscillating surface than var. inversa (44–59).PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThree varieties of African breadfruit with characteristic physical dimensions relevant for seed type selection and kernel cleaning are known. Unfortunately, they are sold as mixed varieties, with the first two the most widely cultivated and consumed. Apart from contaminants that incidentally mix with the seeds during their extraction in the field, the deliberate use of sharp sand as abrasives to enhance de‐sliming leaves the seeds with such contaminants. It is expected that the information obtained from this research might be useful in designing and fabricating mechanical cleaners for the kernel and other crops with similar physical dimensions with the attendant benefits of reducing the dangers and risks of exposing the teeth of the cleaners to stone damage. Seed type selection will be of interest to both breeders and consumers by eliminating nonuniformity in doneness during cooking due to varietal differences in mixed batches.