Effect of Moisture Content on the Physicomechanical Properties of Mucuna Sloanei

Ide P.E., Eze P.C., Offor B.C.

Abstract: This study determined some physical and mechanical properties of Big and Small sized varieties of Horse-Eye Bean (mucuna sloanei) seeds grown in Nigeria under different moisture contents range of 10.5 to 16.87% (db). The physical properties were determined using a mettler Toledo weighing machine, moisture analyzer, multi-purpose oven dryer and a Vernier caliper, while the mechanical properties were determined using an Instron Universal Testing Machine. The results of the physical properties showed that the major diameter, minor diameter, intermediate diameter and the sphericity, ranged from 25.61 to 32.52 (mm); 17.84 to 20.66 (mm); 24.24 to 30.18 (mm); and 0.82 to 0.89 respectively across both varieties. Also results for the mechanical properties obtained ranged from 444.08 to 902.10 N for maximum load; 1.96 to 8.12 mm for compressive extension at maximum load; 0.62 to 1.96 N/MM2 for compressive strength; and 1.65 to 4.14 KJ for deformation energy at horizontal loading position. At vertical loading position, results obtained ranged from 870.43 to 1825.42 N for maximum load; 22.5 to 11.79 mm for compressive extension at maximum load; 0.85 to 2.26 N/MM2 for compressive strength; and 1.97 to 12.85 KJ for deformation energy. The relationship between moisture content and both the physical and the mechanical properties was statistically significant at (p

Keywords: Physical properties, mechanical properties, Horse-Eye Bean, moisture content and Loading Positions.