November 2011

Fracture resistance of palm kernel seed to compressive loading

Quasi-static compression tests were carried out on treated single palm kernel seeds to study the effects of temperature, moisture content and loading position on the rupture force, deformation and toughness of the kernels. The levels of moisture content and temperature considered were 5, 7 and 10% w.b and 70, 90 and 110°C each at the horizontal and vertical loading position. Twenty palm kernel seeds were tested at...

Author(s): Ozumba Isaac C and Obiakor Sylvester I

November 2011

Comparison of three methods of weight loss determination on maize stored in two farmer environments under natural infestation

Common methods of weight loss assessment in stored grain include the standard volume weight (SVW), count and weigh (C&W), the thousand grain mass (TGM) and the indirect with a conversion factor (CF) which have been used in varying storage environments. Apart from accuracy and reliability, practical application may limit their use in rural areas. Three of the methods: (SVW) or bulk density (BD), C&W and CF were...

Author(s): Ngatia C. M. and Kimondo M.