Some physical properties of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L.) seeds

Some physical properties of fenugreek seeds were evaluated as a function of moisture content. The average length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter and unit mass of the seed ranged from 4.01 to 4.19 mm, 235 to 2.61 mm, 1.49 to 1.74 mm, 2.40 to 2.66 mm and 0.0157 to 0.0164g as the moisture content increased from 8.9% to 20.1% d.b. respectively. In the moisture content range, studies on rewetted fenugreek seed showed that the sphericity increased from 60.79% to 64.06%, the seed volume from 12.58 to 13.83 mm(3), 1000 seed mass from 15.48 to 16.39g and surface area from 18.09 to 22.18 mm(2). As the moisture content increased from 8.9% to 20.1% d.b., the bulk density, kernel density were found to decrease from 701.16 to 645.81k g/m(3) and 1240.36 to 1165.25kg/m(3), whereas angle of repose and porosity were found to increase from 14.34 degrees to 16.88 degrees and 43.47% to 44.58%, respectively. The static and dynamic coefficients of friction on various surfaces, namely, plywood, mild steel and galvanized metal also increased linearly with increase in moisture content. The plywood surface offered the maximum friction followed by mild metal and galvanized metal. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd, All rights reserved.