Mass, Volume, and Friction Related Properties of Alligator Pepper (Aframomum meleguta)

Abstract

The mass, axial dimensions, shape indices, and some frictional related properties of alligator pepper (Aframomum meleguta) were investigated at moisture contents of 4.26 and 3.31% for the pods and seeds, respectively, following standard procedures. The average length, major and minor diameter of the alligator pepper pods were 53.83, 22.68, and 19.32 mm, respectively, while the corresponding values for the seeds were 3.61, 3.12, and 2.55 mm, respectively. The average seeds/pod weight was 4.11/5.63 g. The arithmetic mean diameter, equivalent diameter, sphericity, aspect ratio, and surface area were 31.80, 28.65, 0.54, 43.20 mm, and 2591.93 mm2, for the pods; and 3.09, 3.06, 0.85, 0.01 mm, and 29.39mm2, for the seeds, respectively. The coefficient of friction of the seeds ranged from 0.50 to 0.67 with respect to the surfaces that were considered. The angle of repose of the seeds was 20.09o. This study provides baseline information on alligator pepper seeds, these can be useful for in the development or adaptation of technologies for processing it into value-added products thereby boosting obtainable income thereof.