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The effect of moisture on physical properties of sorghum and millet


EL Lazaro
NB Shayo
BE Chove
AB Gidamis

Abstract



Knowledge of how the physical properties of grain vary with changes in moisture content is one of the prerequisites for the design and development of efficient processing and handling machines for the grains. Physical properties of two varieties of sorghum (Dionje and Jumbo) and one variety of pearl millet (IM) were investigated at different moisture levels within the moisture range 12 to 25% dry basis. Grain samples with different moisture levels were obtained by adding calculated amounts of distilled water to the grain. Mixing was done thoroughly, the samples sealed in polythene bags and kept in refrigerator at 5oC for fourteen days to allow moisture to get distributed uniformly within each. The results showed that within this moisture range, all the physical properties studied varied linearly with moisture content. Linear dimensions (length, width and thickness), geometrical mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, volume, kernel density and porosity increased with increase in moisture content of the grain. On the other hand, bulk density decreased with increase in moisture content of the grain.

Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol. 8 (1) 2006: pp. 43-54

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eISSN: 1561-7645