THE INFLUENCE OF MOISTURE LEVEL ON SPECIFIC PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF NEEM SEEDS (Azadirachta indica) AS POTENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF PROCESSING MACHINERY

Abstract

The development of equipment to mechanise the handling and processing of neem seeds requires an understanding of their physical characteristics. Thus, the physical properties of neem seeds were assessed at moisture content levels ranging from 7.78% to 20.20% on a dry basis. Standard procedures were used to evaluate the seeds' axial dimensions, weight, sphericity, aspect ratio, true and bulk densities, porosity, surface area, and coefficients of dynamic friction (μ) on surfaces made of galvanised steel, wood, and glass. Except for the true and bulk densities, all of the evaluated properties showed an increase in the results for the moisture range mentioned above. The μ on galvanized steel, wood and glass surfaces ranged from 129.00 – 145.90, 127.80 – 141.00, and 130.00 – 144.00, respectively. All the measured parameters had empirical models established for them. The high correlation coefficients of each parameter's model suggest that it can be simulated within the moisture domain under investigation.