Dimensional specific physical properties of fan palm fruits, seeds and seed coats (Washingtonia robusta)

Abstract

A b s t r a c t. In this study some physical properties of fan palm (Washingtonia robusta) fruits, seeds and seed coats were determined using dimensional, bulk and single kernel physical analysis. The moisture content of whole fruits, seeds and seed coats was 12.0, 9.86 and 13.87% (d.b.), respectively. The sphericity values showed that seed shape (0.86) is close to a sphere, similar as the fruit shape (0.83), both of which were close to a scalene ellipsoid shape. The surface area values of fruits and seeds were obtained as 163.27 and 80.25 mm 2 , and volume values were obtained as 190.96 and 66.32 mm 3 , respectively. Bulk densities of fruits, seeds and seed coats were 559, 783 and 272 kg m -3 , and the corresponding true densities were 1143, 1147 and 864 kg m -3 , whereas the corresponding porosities were 48.87, 54.12, and 31.52%, respectively. The values of the static coefficient of friction and the angle of repose of fruits, seeds and seed coats of palm fruits were studied on aluminium, canvas, galvanised iron, plywood, PP knitted bag, PVC and stainless steel surfaces. As expected, seed coat has higher values of coefficient of static friction on the all surfaces than fruit and seed.

Nutritional Characteristics Assessment of Sunflower Seeds, Oil and Cake. Perspective of Using Sunflower Oilcakes as a Functional Ingredient

“…The finding indicated that seeds will float in water while kernels will sink [39]. Furthermore, according to this information, the separation of the hulls can be carried out by blowing air instead of floating in water [64]. The decrease in overall true density with classes may be due to the decrease in water absorption caused by the oil molecules and the increase in proteins [65].…”

Análisis químico proximal y metabolitos secundarios en frutos de Washingtonia robusta (Arecaceae): relevancia para la alimentación de la vida silvestre y humana

“…Biomass partitioning is pulp 53.7 % and seed 46.3 % (Coşkuner & Gökbudak 2016). Comparing with sugars in others edible fruits occurring in the study area like, Vitex mollis (92 %) (Montiel-Herrera et al 2004), Washingtonia filifera (77 %) and the introduced Phoenix dactylifera (94 %) (Cornett 1987, Besbes et al 2004) therefore W. robusta (71 %) represents a comparative sugar resource.…”

“…Wendl., found in Baja California and Sonora (Nehdi 2011). Both species are cultivated as ornamentals around the world, particularly in California and in northwest Mexico, as well as in the Mediterranean basin, southern Europe, and some parts of Australia (Coşkuner & Gökbudak 2016).…”

“…It is a fast-growing palm with a thick, reddish trunk and large dark green shiny leaves. Inflorescences are long with small, white aromatic flowers, occurring by the end of summer, developing into dark-brown fruits; ellipsoid-shaped, 7.5-9 mm long, often ripening in fallwinter, which produce a thin and edible sweet pulp (date-like tasting), each fruit holding one seed (Coşkuner & Gökbudak 2016, Felger et al 2017. It is recognized that insect pollination commonly occurs in palms (Listabarth 2001, and beetles constitute the most important group of pollinators, followed by bees and flies (Henderson 1990.…”