Abstract
The physical properties of shelled and unshelled melon seeds for three different varieties: C. cucurbita, C. vulgaris and C. lanatus were investigated at the moisture contents of 5.3, 5.1 and 6.0% dry basis respectively. The axial dimension, mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, porosity, true and bulk density, angle of repose, coefficient of friction of the three varieties of melon seeds were determined using standard methods. The results obtained from the study revealed that length, width, thickness, arithmetic and geometric diameter, sphericity, surface area and 1000 unit mass ranged from 12.81-14.50 mm, 7.02-8.42 mm, 2.22-2.49 mm, 7.36-8.31 mm, 5.84- 6.54 mm, 0.47- 0.53, 134.64-192.23 mm² and 94.0- 110.0g respectively. Sphericity was 0.41, 0.41 and 0.36 for shelled C. lanatus, cucurbita and c. vulgaris, while the values for unshelled varieties are 0.43, 0.42 and 0.41 respectively. Surface area was 116 mm2,139 mm2 and 180 mm2 for shelled C. lanatus, cucurbita and C. vulgaris ,while the values for unshelled varieties are 186 mm2,205 mm2 and 283 mm2.One thousand unit mass was 89.6g,82.2g and 95.8g for shelled C. lanatus, cucurbita and C. vulgaris ,while the values for unshelled varieties are 98g,94g,and 110g respectively. Angle of repose was 26.3o, 25.4 o and 26.1 o for shelled C. lanatus, cucurbita and C. vulgaris, while the values for unshelled varieties are 23.6o, 20o and 23.5o respectively. Bulk density was 458 g/mm3, 389 g/mm3 and 423 g/mm3 for shelled C. lanatus, cucurbita and C. vulgaris, while the values for unshelled varieties are 543 g/mm3, 405 g/mm3, and 446 g/mm3 respectively. Finally porosities of 34.8%, 47.9% and 48.5% were obtained for shelled C. lanatus, cucurbita and C. vulgaris, while the values for unshelled varieties are 37.3%, 53.7% and 48.5% respectively.
Highlights
Melon (Citrulus species) is one of the most popular vegetables crops in Africa
Where A is commonly known as white Egusi “Colocynthis citrullus lanatus, sample B is commonly known as “Ahu” Cucurbita and Sample C is commonly known as Water Melon Citrullus vulgaris
Etoamaihe and Ezeh / Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances, 2020, 04(01), 001–007 The figures of the shelled and unshelled varieties of the melon seeds are shown in figures 1 to 6
Summary
Melon (Citrulus species) is one of the most popular vegetables crops in Africa. Melon is a tendril climbing herbaceous crop. [1] reported that 100,000 and 488,000 metric tons were produced in Nigeria for the year 1992 and 1997 respectively. It is a creepy growing plant that covers a large area when properly grown, and as such control weeds, thereby improving soil fertility Kernels of this seeds can be roasted and used extensively for cooking purposes, either as a soup additive or as cooking oil source. It has been proved to be a feed stock for bio-fuel [3] It is a good source of amino acid such as arginine vitamins B, and the oil content is over 50%. The condition prevalent at this level of processing is generally unsanitary and inherently unhygienic This processing method has been generally designed without taking into consideration the physical properties of melon and as such the resultant system leads to reduction in processing efficiency and increased product losses [4 ,5]
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