Some Physical Properties of Balanites Aegyptiaca Nuts

The physical properties of Balanites Aegyptiaca nuts were determined as a function of moisture content. Two varieties of the nut, namely one end tapered oblong variety A and spheroidal variety B, were identified. At the moisture content of 4·72% (d.b.) for the oblong nuts, measurements yielded an average maximum diameter of 15·0 mm, and length of 28·9 mm. The corresponding values for the kernels were 10·1 and 18·2 mm, respectively. For the spheroidal nuts, the major and minor semi-axial dimensions averaged 13·6 and 8·0 mm, respectively. The corresponding values for the kernels were 8·2 and 5·3 mm, respectively. The kernels constituted about 22·63% of the oblong nuts and 24% of the spheroidal nuts by mass. In the moisture range of 4·72–26·35% (d.b.) the one thousand nut mass of the oblong nuts, the particle density and porosity increased from 2·39 to 3·33 kg, 922·48 to 992·74 kgm −3 and 41·86% to 47·46%, respectively. The bulk density decreased from 536·35 to 521·60 kgm −3 , while the static coefficient of friction on different structural surfaces and angle of repose increased from 0·194 to 0·577 and from 22·36° to 33·66°, respectively. For the spheroidal nuts in the moisture range of 4·71–24·18% the one thousand nut mass, particle density, porosity, static coefficient of friction on different structural surfaces and angle of repose increased from 2·26 to 3·11 kg, 964 to 1052·01 kg m −3 , 44·10% to 49·37%, 0·194 to 0·504 and 22·84° to 32·97°, respectively. The bulk density decreased from 546·90 to 532·66 kg m −3 .