Journal of Food Engineering 55 (2002) 95–99

www.elsevier.com/locate/jfoodeng

Some engineering properties of locust bean seed

L.A.O. Ogunjimi a, N.A. Aviara b,*
, O.A. Aregbesola a

a
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
b
Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Received 2 June 2001; accepted 13 December 2001

Abstract
Locust bean was found to be a protein rich crop whose seed is processed into local food condiment ÔiruÕ in Nigeria. To explore the
possibility of developing handling and processing equipment for the seed, some engineering properties namely: size, 1000 seed
weight, true density, bulk density, porosity, static coefficient of friction on wood, angle of repose, specific heat and cracking force,
were studied. At a moisture content of 10.25% (db), seed length varied from 0.80 to 1.20 cm, width from 0.60 to 0.85 cm and
thickness from 0.45 to 0.60 cm. One thousand seed weight averaged 0.283 kg with a standard deviation of 0.00264. True density lay
between 1098.0 and 1215.7 kg/m3 , while bulk density was between 538.02 and 565.30 kg/m3 and porosity was between 51.0% and
53.5%. Static coefficient of friction on wood averaged 0.43 with a standard deviation of 0.021, angle of repose 20.32° with a standard
deviation of 1.84 and specific heat 1415.3 J/kg K with a standard deviation of 103.81. Minimum cracking force was obtained by
loading the seed along its thickness. This force averaged 174.38 N with a standard deviation of 10.21. These results indicate that a
mechanical dehulling process to obtain whole kernel from locust bean seed should be possible.
Ó 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Keywords: Locust bean; Parkia fillicoidea; Physical properties; Thermal properties; Cracking force

1. Introduction mashed in the mortar with pestles or feet and by the

Locust bean (Parkia fillicoidea) is a savannah land
tree crop whose seed is processed into a local condiment
ÔiruÕ particularly in south-western Nigeria. The locust
bean fruit consists of bunches of pods which form the
edible part of the plant. The brownish-black seeds in
each pod are enveloped in a yellow pulp, which is also
edible, as it contains a high percent of sucrose. After the
shelling of the pod by cracking and tearing, the pulp is
washed off and the seed dried. The seed coat is tightly
attached to the cotyledon that it encloses; but it is the
cotyledon or kernel that is processed into the local
condiment ÔiruÕ. As a result, the seed is normally de-
hulled to remove the coat.
The process of dehulling locust bean seeds using the
traditional method is not only laborious and time con-
suming but also yields a low quality product. It involves
the cooking of the seeds to the point at which the coat
splits. The cooked seeds are poured into a mortar and
mixed with washed sharp sand. The mixture is then
*
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: enaviara@yahoo.com (N.A. Aviara).
0260-8774/02/$ - see front matter Ó 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
PII: S 0 2 6 0 - 8 7 7 4 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 0 2 1 - 3
action of the gritty sand on the cooked seed, the seed
coats are removed. The mixture is washed several times
in clean water to remove the floating chaff and the
denser sand settles to the bottom of the container. The
cotyledons are then separated from the sand.
Ajayi (1991) developed a shelling machine for the
locust bean pod, but the dehulling of locust bean seed
using a mechanical device appears not to have been at-
tempted. To overcome the tediousness of the present
process of dehulling locust bean seed and develop im-
proved methods of handling and processing the seeds
using suitable machine and equipment, the engineering
properties of the seeds need to be known.
The objective of this study was to determine some
engineering properties of locust bean seed namely: size,
1000 seed weight, true density, bulk density, porosity,
static coefficient of friction, angle of repose, specific heat
capacity and cracking force at a safe storage moisture
content.
Several researchers (Deshpande, Bal, & Ojha, 1993;
Dutta, Nema, & Bhardwaj, 1988a; Fraser, Verma, &
Muir, 1978; Oje, 1993, 1994; Oje & Ugbor, 1991; Om-
obuwajo, Akande, & Sanni, 1999) determined the size
of seeds by measuring their principal axial dimensions.
96 L.A.O. Ogunjimi et al. / Journal of Food Engineering 55 (2002) 95–99
Nomenclature
cc specific heat of calorimeter (J/kg K)
cs specific heat of sample (J/kg K)
cw specific heat of water (J/kg K)
db dry basis
L length of seed (cm)
l length of kernel (cm)
M mass of seed (kg)
m mass of kernel (kg)
mc mass of calorimeter (kg)
ms mass of sample (kg)
mw mass of water (kg)
Aviara and Haque (2000), Carman (1996), and Joshi,
Das, and Mukherjee (1993), Makanjuola (1972), Suthar
and Das (1996) in addition to measuring these dimen-
sions, also correlated their values for the seed and kernel
of watermelon, pumpkin, karingda, lentil and guna,
respectively. Aviara, Gwandzang and Haque (1999)
Deshpande et al. (1993), Kaleemullah (1992) reported
the variations of these dimensions with moisture content
of guna seed, soybean and groundnut kernel respec-
tively. Dutta et al. (1988a) and Aviara et al. (1999)
employed the arithmetic mean of the three principal
axes, their geometric average and effective diameter in
calculating the volume of gram and guna seeds respec-
tively with results that approximately predicted the ex-
perimentally determined values.
True density has been determined by some research-
ers (Joshi et al., 1993; Nelson, 1980; Suthar & Das, 1996)
using the gas displacement method, while others (Aviara
et al., 1999; Dutta et al., 1988a; Oje, 1994; Oje & Ugbor,
1991; Omobuwajo et al., 1999; Shepherd & Bhardwaj,
1986) employed the water displacement method. Most
of the investigators determined the bulk density fol-
lowing the AOAC (1980) recommended method. The
relationship between porosity, true density and bulk
density has been frequently used to determine porosity
of grains and seeds. Mohsenin (1986) gives this rela-
tionship as follows:
P ¼ ð1  qb =qt Þ  100 ð1Þ
Methods that have been used to study the coefficient of
friction of agricultural products include moving a given
surface against the material (Lawton, 1980), tilting an
inclined plane, (Aviara et al., 1999; Deshpande et al.,
1993; Dutta et al., 1988a) and the use of shear box
equipment (Osunade & Lasisi, 1994). The structural
surfaces usually employed are galvanized steel sheet,
wood and plywood. Studies on the angle of repose of
grains and seeds have been conducted by various re-
searchers using a specially constructed box with re-
movable front panel (Dutta et al., 1988a; Fraser et al.,
P porosity (%)
T thickness of seed (cm)
t thickness of kernel (cm)
Te equilibrium temperature of seed (K)
Tsi initial temperature of sample (K)
Twi initial temperature of water (K)
W width of seed (cm)
w width of kernel (cm)
W1000 one thousand seed weight (kg)
qb bulk density (kg/m3 )
qt true density (kg/m3 )
1978). Aviara and Haque (2001), Oje (1993) and Oje and
Ugbor (1991) used the method of mixtures to determine
the specific heat of fababeans, oilbean seed, thevetia nut
and shearnut kernel respectively. Dinrifo and Faborode
(1993) studied the pod cracking behaviour of cocoa by
carrying out compressive loading tests to obtain the
force-deformation characteristics.
2. Materials and methods
A bulk quantity of locust bean pods was purchased
from local farmers in Saki, Saki West Local Govern-
ment Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. The pods were shelled
and the seeds extracted and dried to a safe storage
moisture content. The moisture content of the seed was
determined using the ASAE (1983) recommended
method for edible beans. This involves the oven drying
of seed samples at 103 °C for 72 h. The samples were
allowed to cool in a dessicator after which the weights
were recorded. Four samples were used and the average
moisture content was found to be 10.25% (db).
To determine the seed and kernel size, 100 seeds were
randomly selected following a similar method to that
employed by Dutta et al. (1988a). For each seed and its
kernel, the three principal axial dimensions namely
length, width and thickness were measured using a
vernier caliper reading to 0.10 mm. Since size of seed
was considered to be an important parameter in pro-
cessing (Aviara & Haque, 2000), bulk samples of the
seed and kernel were classified into three categories
namely large (L > 1:10 cm), medium (0:95 6 L 6 1:10
cm) and small (L < 0:95 cm) for seeds, and large (l >
0:95 cm), medium (0:85 6 l 6 0:95 cm) and small (l <
0:85 cm) for kernel based on their length. The ratios of
various seed and kernel dimensions were determined
and the relationships existing between them established.
One thousand seed mass (W1000s ) was obtained with
the help of an electronic balance weighing to 0.001 g.
 L.A.O. Ogunjimi et al. / Journal of Food Engineering 55 (2002) 95–99 97

True density of seed was determined by the water compression operations. All experiments were replicated
displacement method as reported by Shepherd and thrice and the average values are reported.
Bhardwaj (1986) and Dutta et al. (1988a). Samples were
coated with very thin layer of exposy resin to prevent the
absorption of water during the experiment. Increase in
3. Results and discussion
seed weight due to the adhesive was negligible (<2%).
Bulk density was determined using the AOAC method.
The size distribution of locust bean seed and kernel
This involved the filling of a 500 ml cylinder with seeds
are presented in Table 1, and Fig. 1 shows the frequency
from a height of 15 cm and weighing the content. Po-
distribution curves for the length, width and thickness of
rosity was calculated using the relationship between it
the seed. About 71% of the seed by number and 78% by
and the true and bulk densities.
mass were of the medium size, 21% by number and 15%
Angle of repose was obtained using a specially con-
by mass were large and 8% by number and 7% by mass
structed box with removable front panel. The box was
were small sized seeds. Larger seeds were broader and
filled with seeds and the front panel was quickly re-
heavier than the medium and small seeds but only
moved. This allowed the seeds to flow to their natural
thicker than the small size seeds. The following general
slope. The static coefficient of friction of seed on wood
expression can be used to describe the relationship
was determined using the inclined plane method.
among the dimensions of the seed
Specific heat of the seeds was determined using a
copper calorimeter placed inside a flask by the method
L ¼ 1:41W ¼ 1:85T ð3Þ
of mixtures. A sample of known weight and temperature
was poured into the calorimeter containing water of
known weight and temperature. The mixture was stirred Numerically, the seed length in cm was 3.69 times its
with a copper stirrer until equilibrium was attained. The mass in kg.
final temperature was noted and the specific heat of the About 68% of the kernel were of medium size, while
sample was calculated using the equation: 24% were large and 8% small. This shows that some
medium size seeds may have produced large sized ker-
ðmc cc þ mw cw ÞðTe  Twi Þ nels. Similar result was obtained in guna seed (Aviara &
cs ¼ ð2Þ
ms ðTsi  Te Þ Haque, 2000). The kernel shows the following relation-
ship among the dimensions
The cracking force was determined by performing
compression tests on seed samples. Loading was done l ¼ 1:39w ¼ 2:85t ð4Þ
on both the lateral and vertical axes to determine the
axis with least breaking resistance. The equipment used Numerically, the length of the kernel in cm was 5.42
was a tensiometer which was capable of performing times its mass in kg.

Table 1
Size distribution of locust bean seed and kernel at the moisture content of 10.25% (db) with standard deviation in parentheses
Particulars Length Percentage of sample Average Average Average Average Average Average Average
(cm) (%) length width thickness mass (g) length/width length/ length/
(cm) (cm) (cm) ratio thickness mass ratio
By number By mass
ratio
Seed
Ungraded 0.8–1.20 100 100 1.01 0.72 0.55 0.28 1.41 1.85 3.69
(0.07) (0.06) (0.03) (0.04) (0.14) (0.16) (0.53)
Large >1.05 21 15 1.11 0.75 0.54 0.29 1.47 1.85 3.89
(0.03) (0.06) (0.03) (0.03) (0.11) (0.61) (0.44)
Medium 0.95–1.05 71 78 1.00 0.71 0.55 0.28 1.42 1.80 3.61
(0.03) (0.06) (0.03) (0.04) (0.12) (0.13) (0.54)
Small <0.95 8 7 0.89 0.73 0.52 0.23 1.22 1.72 3.87
(0.04) (0.05) (0.03) (0.03) (0.10) (0.07) (0.48)

Kernel
Ungraded 0.75–1.10 100 100 0.92 0.66 0.50 0.17 1.39 2.85 5.42
(0.06) (0.06) (0.03) (0.03) (0.15) (0.94) (1.07)
Large >0.95 24 26.5 1.01 0.69 0.50 0.19 1.46 2.03 5.26
(0.03) (0.06) (0.02) (0.02) (0.14) (0.13) (0.65)
Medium 0.85–0.95 68 66.5 0.90 0.66 0.50 0.17 1.38 2.02 5.45
(0.03) (0.06) (0.03) (0.03) (0.13) (1.85) (1.22)
Small <0.85 8 7 0.81 0.66 0.50 0.15 1.25 1.63 5.47
(0.03) (0.08) (0.03) (0.03) (0.20) (0.13) (0.94)
98 L.A.O. Ogunjimi et al. / Journal of Food Engineering 55 (2002) 95–99

development of seed and kernel sizing and grading

machines, and in their separation from undesirable
materials.
A summary of the results for all the measured pa-
rameters at a moisture content of 10.25% (db) is pre-
sented in Table 2. This show that the seed length varied
from 0.80 to 1.20 cm, while the width was between
0.60 and 0.85 cm and the thickness between 0.45 and
0.60 cm.
The 1000 seed mass was found to range from 0.280
to 0.286 kg. This parameter is useful in determining
the effective diameter which can be used in the theo-
retical estimation of seed volume. The true density of
locust bean seed was found to lie between 1098 and 1215
kg/m3 . The true density is thus higher than that of
breadfruit seed (Omobuwajo et al., 1999), groundnut
kernel (Kaleemullah, 1992) and oil bean seed (Oje &
Ugbor, 1991), but lower than that of gram (Dutta et al.,
1988a), pumpkin seed (Joshi et al., 1993) and millet (Jain
& Bal, 1997). The bulk density and porosity of the seed
were between 538 and 565 kg/m3 , and 51 and 53.5 re-
spectively. The bulk density of locust bean seed was
Fig. 1. Frequency distribution curves of locust bean seed dimensions at higher than that of groundnut kernel and guna seed, but
10.25% moisture content (db).
lay within the same range as that of thevetia nut (Oje,
1993). The porosity was found to be higher than that of
The ratios of locust bean seed dimensions to those of
the above crops.
its kernel were found to be as follows:
The static coefficient of friction of locust bean seed on
L=l ¼ 1:098; L ¼ 1:098l ð5Þ wood was 0.43 with a standard deviation of 0.021. The
angle of repose lay between 20° and 23°. The angle of
W =w ¼ 1:091; W ¼ 1:091w ð6Þ
repose was higher than that of groundnut kernel and
T =t ¼ 1:10; T ¼ 1:10t ð7Þ thevetia nuts, but lower than that of guna and breadfruit
seeds. Specific heat had a maximum and minimum value
M=m ¼ 1:647; M ¼ 1:647m ð8Þ
of 1694.6 and 1130.7 J/kg respectively. The specific heat
The ratio of the masses shows that the kernel constitutes of locust bean was found to be lower than that of
more than 60% of the seed by mass. The above pa- thevetia nut (Oje, 1993), soybean (Deshpande & Bal,
rameters would be an important consideration in the 1999) and gram (Dutta, Nema, & Bhardwaj, 1988b).

Table 2
Some engineering properties of locust bean seed at 10.25% moisture content (db)
Particulars Values
Mean Maximum Minimum Standard deviation
Length, L (cm) 1.01 1.20 0.80 0.07
Width, W (cm) 0.72 0.85 0.60 0.06
Thickness, T (cm) 0.55 0.60 0.45 0.03
1000 seed weight, (g) 283.1 286.3 280.7 2.64
True density, (g) 1147.2 1215.7 1098.0 108.51
Bulk density, (kg/m3 ) 558.6 565.30 538.02 11.3
Porosity (%) 51.4 53.5 51.0 2.20
Static coefficient of friction on wood 0.43 0.44 0.40 0.021
Angle of repose (degree) 20.32 23.15 20.00 1.84
Specific heat (J/kg K) 1415.3 1694.6 1130.7 103.81
Cracking force
Loading on lateral axis 197.60 220.19 177.06 10.62
Loading on vertical axis 240.38 268.86 200.00 15.94
Loading on thickness 174.38 204.30 154.36 10.21
 L.A.O. Ogunjimi et al. / Journal of Food Engineering 55 (2002) 95–99
The loading orientation that gave the least resistance to
cracking was along the thickness. The cracking force
obtained in loading along the thickness lay between 154
and 204 N. Loading on the vertical axis gave the highest
resistance to cracking.
4. Conclusions
The engineering properties of locust bean seed were
investigated at a moisture content of 10.25% (db). The
results obtained show that a mechanical dehulling pro-
cess to obtain whole kernel from locust bean seed should
be possible. The frequency distribution curves of the
axial dimensions tend toward normal with the seed
length varying from 0.80 to 1.20 cm, width from 0.60 to
0.85 cm and thickness from 0.45 to 0.60 cm. The kernel
constitutes more than 60% of the seed by mass. The 1000
seed mass ranges from 0.280 to 0.286 kg, the true density
from 1098 to 1215 kg/m3 and the bulk density from 538
to 565 kg/m3 . The porosity lies between 51.0 and 53.5,
and the static coefficient of friction of the seed on wood
is 0.43 with a standard deviation of 0.021. The angle of
repose lies between 20° and 23° and the specific heat
between 1130.7 and 1694.6 J/kg. The minimum cracking
force was obtained from loading along the seed thick-
ness. This force ranges from 154 to 204 N.
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