Physical properties of jatropha seeds during drying in differents temperature

Abstract

Given the prominence of jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) in the national and international importance of knowledge of their physical properties contribution to the development for machinery to assist in post-harvest processing of this crop seeds, the objective of the work was to determine the porosity and the bulk density and true density of jatropha seeds subjected to different drying air conditions. The experiment was conducted at the Instituto Federal Goiano - Câmpus Rio Verde, using jatropha seeds, that were subjected to drying in an oven with forced air circulation. The experiment was a completely randomized design in a factorial design (5 x 7) having factors like the different temperatures (45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 º C) and moisture content (33.33; 28.56; 25.37; 21.26, 17.36, 13.04 and 9.09 (% w.b.)), previously established. It was found that the temperature of the drying air and the seeds moisture content influenced the bulk density and porosity of the seeds of jatropha. Since the true density is influenced only by the seeds moisture content. The reduction moisture content decrease of the porosity and in the bulk density and true density of jatropha seeds and it is not possible to identify a distinct behavior regarding temperatures used.