Influence of Moisture Content and Compression Axis on Mechanical, Physical, and Phytochemicals Properties of Akuamma (Picralima nitida) Fruits and Seeds

This research studied the effect of the moisture content and the three orthogonal axes on the physical, mechanical, and the phytochemical properties of Picralima nitida fruits and the seeds. The results showed that the compression force, the compression shear strength, the deformation, and the Poisson’s ratio depend on the compression axis and the moisture content. Rupturing the fruit through the intermediate diameter showed higher strength than rupturing the fruit along the major and the minor diameter. The Poisson’s ratio ranged from 0.468 to 0.432 at the moisture content range of 75–88.3% wb. Phytochemical screening of the seed showed that saponins, tannins, and flavonoid were present in the seeds. Losing moisture was associated with the loss of the phytochemicals, but flavonoid showed a higher susceptibility to the moisture loss. The frequency distribution of the axial dimensions showed that 85% of the seed major diameters fell within the median class of 27.5 mm. The surface area of the fruits ranged from 409.88 to 987.12 cm2. © 2019, The Institution of Engineers (India).