Assessment of Some Physical and Mechanical Properties of Ecballium Elaterium (L.) Seeds Grown in Natural Environment

Abstract

In this study, Several essential physical and mechanical properties of the seeds of the Ecballium elaterium (L.) plant, which grows naturally in Balıkesir province of Turkey and has some medicinal properties, were determined for product processing and similar processes. All properties were evaluated at different moisture states ranging from 11.48% to 22%, and the changes of these properties according to moisture were observed. At an initial moisture content of 11.48%, Ecballium seeds had a length of 4.72 mm, a width of 2.85 mm, a thickness of 2.09 mm, an arithmetic mean diameter of 3.22 mm, a geometric mean diameter of 3.04 mm, a sphericity of 64.45%, and a thousand grain weight of 13.61 g. As a result of measurements conducted on Ecballium seed re-wetted to moisture levels between 11.48% and 22%, it was observed that its bulk density decreased from 501.00 kg m^-³ to 468.5 kg m^-³ its true density decreased from 965.67 kg m^-³ to 870 kg m^-³ its projected area increased from 10.60 mm² to 11.51 mm², its rupture strength decreased from 5.08 N/mm^-² to 2.98 N/mm^-², and its terminal velocity increased from 2.69 m s^-1 to 3.06 m s^-1.