Effect of moisture content and stalk section on some engineering parameters of closed capsule sesame stalks (Sesamum indicum L.)


Yılmaz D., Kabaş Ö., AKINCI İ., Özmerzi A., ÇAĞIRGAN M. İ.

JOURNAL OF FOOD AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT, vol.7, no.3-4, pp.306-311, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 7 Issue: 3-4
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF FOOD AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.306-311
  • Keywords: Non-shattering sesame, harvesting, shearing stress, MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Closed capsule sesame is new germplasm to plant breeders and agricultural machinery designers. The variation in the mechanical properties of plant stalks and the resistance to cutting equipment have to be known in order to understand the behavior of material with respect to different operation. In this study, some engineering parameters such as strength and deformation were determined for closed capsule of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) stalks. Strength parameters consisted of maximum force and bioyield force in shearing, shearing and bioyield stress, maximum energy in maximum force, maximum energy in bioyield point and modulus of elasticity. Deformation parameters are also maximum bioyield deformation and maximum breaking dilatation. To determine these parameters, a cutting apparatus consisting of a load cell, knife and slot was used. The tests were conducted at four moisture contents of 10, 20,45 and 60% (d.b.) and at different stalk sections (upper, middle and lower). The highest shearing stress was found to be 7.1 MPa at lower section at moisture content of 45%. Bioyield force values increased with increase in moisture content. Moisture content had no significant effect but stalk sections had a significant effect (p<0.01) on bioyield stress. The highest modulus of elasticity was obtained as 32.6 MPa at lower section at moisture content of 60%, the lowest modulus of elasticity was 14.2 MPa at upper section at moisture content of 45%. Maximum energy in maximum force and maximum energy in bioyield point increased exponentially with increases in the moisture contents.