Physico-mechanical properties and multivariate analysis of pearl millet at different moisture contents
ABSTRACT Among the grains cultivated globally, millet is recognized as a “nutri-cereal” due to its high content of essential amino acids and other bioactive compounds, making it a promising candidate for enhancing human nutrition. Understanding its physico-mechanical properties is essential to maint...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universidade Federal de Lavras
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Ciência e Agrotecnologia |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-70542025000100226&lng=en&tlng=en |
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| Summary: | ABSTRACT Among the grains cultivated globally, millet is recognized as a “nutri-cereal” due to its high content of essential amino acids and other bioactive compounds, making it a promising candidate for enhancing human nutrition. Understanding its physico-mechanical properties is essential to maintain grain quality during processing. This study aimed to determine and evaluate the physico-mechanical properties of pearl millet as a function of different moisture contents (10.11, 12.81, 14.12, 16.44, and 17.23% wet basis). Physical properties assessed included size, shape, bulk density, thousand-grain mass, terminal velocity, and intergranular porosity. Mechanical properties such as rupture force, rupture energy, hardness, and modulus of toughness were also examined. Moisture content was found to significantly influence these properties. Linear regression models effectively predicted the behavior of width, surface area, intergranular porosity, bulk density, thousand-grain mass, and modulus of toughness. Principal component and cluster analyses revealed the impact of increasing moisture content on grain form and size, as well as a reduction in the rupture force required, underscoring the enhanced resistance of the grains due to moisture variation. |
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| ISSN: | 1981-1829 |