Elsevier

Biosystems Engineering

Volume 88, Issue 1, May 2004, Pages 127-129
Biosystems Engineering

RESEARCH NOTE
Some Physical Properties of Sesame Seed

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2004.01.009 Get rights and content

Abstract

In order to design equipment for improved processing of sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L.), some of the physical properties were determined at moisture content of 3·4% w.b. The average dimensions of sesame seed viz., length, width and thickness were 2·80, 1·69 and 0·82 mm, respectively. The average geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area and density were 1·56 mm, 0·56, 7·80 mm2 and 1224 kg m−3. The average coefficient of friction varied from 0·39 on glass to 0·54 on plywood, while the angle of repose was 32·0°.

Introduction

Sesame seed, also known as beniseed (Sesamum indicum L.) is a rich source of oil (44%) and protein (19–25%). Sesame seed oil is used as a cooking oil and raw material for the production of some industrial materials including paints, margarine and varnishes. Its protein has a high desirable amino-acid profile and is nutritionally as good as soya bean protein. The usual method of sesame seed oil extraction at the domestic level is by pounding the seeds in a mortar. Hot water is then poured into the mortar causing the oil to float to the surface, from where it is skimmed off. This method is however slow, labour intensive and results in low yields of oil. Thus to design equipment to improve the existing processing method, the physical properties of the seed has to be known.

The specific objectives of this study were to determine some of the physical properties such as linear dimensions, sphericity, geometric mean diameter, surface area, bulk and true density, and static coefficient of friction against selected surfaces and angle of repose.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

The sesame seed used in the study was obtained from a local market in Ibadan, a Western state in Nigeria. The seeds were cleaned manually and the foreign matter, such as stones, dirt and broken seeds was removed. The moisture content of the seeds was determined using a Indosan moisture meter and the average moisture content was 3·4% w.b. Twenty seeds were randomly selected and the three linear dimensions namely length, width and thickness were measured using a micrometer with a reading accuracy

Results and discussion

The value of all the properties measured is summarised in Table 1. The length ranged from 2·50 to 2·95 mm, width ranged from 1·59 to 1·93 mm and thickness ranged from 0·71 to 0·90 mm. The geometric mean diameter ranged from 1·46 to 1·63 mm while the corresponding surface area ranged from 6·70 to 8·97 mm2. The sphericity of the seeds ranged from 0·54 to 0·60, which indicates that the shape of the seeds makes it difficult to roll on surface. However, the flat shape of the seeds enables the seeds to

Conclusions

  • (1)

    The average length, width and thickness of sesame seed were 2·80, 1·69 and 0·82 mm, respectively.

  • (2)

    The average sphericity is low therefore the seed cannot roll but can slide.

  • (3)

    The average density of 1224 kg m−3 indicates that water can be used for sesame seed separation or cleaning processes since the seed is heavier than water.

  • (4)

    The average angle of repose was 30·3°.

  • (5)

    The average coefficient of friction against plywood, 0·54, was the highest while 0·39 for glass was the lowest.

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There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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