Determination of some mechanical properties of shea nuts (Butyrospermum paradoxii)

Abstract

The post-harvest processing of shea nuts has been mostly traditional and the few machines in existence have low performances, hence, the need to determine the mechanical properties of shea nuts to enhance high performances of shelling and milling machines. In this paper forces and the corresponding deformations of shelled and unshelled nuts at three chosen moisture contents were determined at points of linear limit, bioyield points and rupture points by subjecting the nuts to compression test. The minimum force and corresponding deformation to rupture shelled nuts were found to vary from 980.00N, 4.900 mm to 1615.38N, 9.586 mm for moisture range of 20%-48% (wb) while for the unshelled nuts, the maximum force and the corresponding deformation to rupture the shell with minimum kernel breakage varied from 142..189N, 1.130 mm to 249.400N, 2.068 mm within the moisture range of 25%-48%(wb).

Keywords: mechanical properties, shea nuts, shelled–nut, unshelled–nut

Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 5(1&2) 2005: 39-48