In this study, some selected mechanical properties of red and white varieties of Almond seeds grown in Nigeria were determined using Testometric M500 – 100AT machine. The fracture force, compressive strength, deformation at yield for red varieties were 2679.40 ± 580.29 N, 408.70 ± 41.90 N/mm2 and 7.03 ± 0.65 mm respectively. The values obtained for the white varieties were 2843.90 ± 330.22 N, 396.20 ± 49.40 N/mm2, and 7.27 ± 0.46 mm. The determined engineering properties are vital for the design of postharvest handling and processing systems for Almond seeds as statistical test showed that there are significant differences (at 5% level) between the engineering properties of the two seeds studied.KEYWORDS: fracture force, compressive strength, deformation, almond seeds

The rising awareness of the importance of moringa seeds has geared interest in its mass production. A major step in making the seed available for it vast usage is shelling. Most rural farmers of moringa seed use the traditional methods of shelling. These methods are tedious, time consuming with attendance low outputs that produce unhygienic products. The need to develop appropriate machines and equipment for processing of moringa seeds become necessary. This work developed a moringa seed shelling machine using available local materials. The development of the shelling machine was based on engineering mechanics of impact and shearing forces. The machine consists of a hopper, shelling unit, shafts, cleaning unit, sieve, discharge unit, power transmission unit and frame. The machine was evaluated based on variation in speed and feedrate to obtain the shelling efficiency, throughput capacity and percentage seed damage at 14% (d.b) moisture content powered by a 0.75 kW electric motor. The results obtained show that the machine has the highest shelling efficiency of 72.72% at 60 g/min feedrate with a throughput capacity of 8.31 kg/hr and the minimum percentage seed breakage of 2.22%. Machine speed of 250 rpm favoured the smooth operation and performance of the machine. The machine is very useful for rural people, farmers and small scale industries for post-harvest processing of moringa seeds since it cost and operational principle is within their technical know-how and capability.

Global warming primarily due to deforestation has led to the development of new materials to substitute felling of trees by wood-based industries. The utilisation of wood chips and cassava starch for the production of particle board was the thrust of this research. The chip sizes of 0.85 and 1.7 mm, dosage and types of binders (cassava starch, urea formaldehyde and Glutaraldehyde modified cassava starch) were the variables. The ratio of wood chips to the binders was 1.0:1.5. Theboards were formed in rectangular moulds. Water absorption, thickness swelling, flexural tests and material characterisation (using scanning electron microscope (SEM)) were carried out. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance. The result obtained was subjected to analysis of variance. The particleboards produced with modified cassava starch had the best mechanical properties with the modulus of elasticity (MOE) ranging from 5.90 to 32.32 N/mm2but had a higher thickness swelling values ranging from 3 to 59.37%. There was a significant difference (p<0.01) between the boards manufactured using plain starch and modified starch. These tests results have shown that wood chips, plain cassava starch and modified cassava starch are sources of raw materials in the production of particleboard. The developed particleboard can be used for paneling, partitioning and ceilings. Keywords: SEM, flexural, global warming, starch,

Tool development and prime mover selection for optimum tillage operation require both the knowledge of soil and tillage tool interaction dynamics which is a function of some system parameters. The actual value of these parameters can only be determined either from field or soil bin experiment via appropriate instrumentation systems. Several published works have been reported on development of soil bin instrumentation system. However, development of a system that can measure and log all the required parameters simultaneously in real time remains an active area of research. The distance moved and the forces acting on the tool were sensed using potentiometer and load cells, respectively. The sensed parameters and the calculated tool linear velocity were processed in parallel using microcontroller with optimised code to ensure real-time and simultaneous logging. The developed system was used for measuring and logging the distance moved by the tool, its velocity as well as the x-, y-, and z- components of force acting on the tool. The values of the distance, velocity and force were determined any time from the start of tillage operation are available on the chats of distance/velocity/force against time obtained from this work. 10 seconds from the start of tillage operation, the distance moved by the tool, tool velocity, , , and  are 2.56 m, 0.27 m/s, 147.00 N, 5.00 N, and 15.00 N, respectively.

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