Pbysical Properties of Lotus Blossoms (Kamal Gatta)

Abstract

Investigations were carried out to find out the Physical properties of lotus blossoms at five levels of moisture content (7.5,12.5, 17.5, 22.5 and 27.5% wb). The moisture content of the procured seeds was 7.4% (wb). The physical properties (grain size, sphericity, thousand kernel weight and thousand,kernel volume) were calculated and found that grain size increased linearly whereas the sphericity first decreased upto 17.5% (wb) and then increased upto 21:5% (wb) with increase in moisture content. Bulk density and true density decreased with increase in moisture content. The porosity first decreased with increase in moisture content up to 22.5%(wb) and then increased up to 27.5% (wb). Angle of repose increased, whereas crushing strength decreased, with increase in moisture content. The coefficient of friction first increased with increase in moisture content up to 17.5% (wb) then it decreases up to 27.5% (wb).