Moisture-Dependent Mechanical Properties of Flame Tree (Delonix Regia) Seeds

The seeds of Delonix regia (Flame Tree), commonly known for their medicinal properties, have not been fully explored for their mechanical properties, thereby hindering their mechanization in production and handling processes. This study investigates some moisture-dependent mechanical properties of Delonix regia seeds, using standard ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) protocols. Seeds were subjected to different moisture content levels, and mechanical properties such as compressive strength, rupture force, and deformation were evaluated. The results show a decrease in compressive strength from 2.919 to 2.398 MPa as moisture content increased from 7.78% to 21.67%. Similar reductions were observed in rupture force and crushing energy from 56.972N – 35.756N and 41.2mJ – 29.011m respectively. These findings provide critical data for designing equipment for seed handling and processing these seeds. Further research is necessary to explore other technological applications of the seeds.