Determination of some Selected Engineering Properties of Tiger Nut (Cyperus Esculentus)

This study examines some engineering properties of tiger nuts in order to provide valuable insights for their application in food processing and storage. Physical, mechanical and thermal properties of tiger nut were determined using different instruments. The average dimensions of tiger nuts were recorded as 11.40 mm in length, 8.70 mm in width, and 6.40 mm in thickness, contributing to their uniform shape. The geometric mean diameter (GMD) was 8.58 mm. it has a sphericity of 0.75% and an aspect ratio of 76.33%, indicating relatively uniform and spherical shapes. With a surface area of 766.68 mm² and a volume of 329.59 mm³. The true density and bulk density were 1.18 kg/m³ and 0.59 kg/m³, respectively, indicating the density and compactness of the nuts. The porosity was measured at 50.00%, suggesting a substantial proportion of void spaces that influence airflow and moisture retention. The moisture content of tiger nuts averaged 9.60%, with a slight variation ranging from 9.20% to 10%, beneficial for storage stability. They exhibited moderate water absorption capacity, with a coefficient of variability of 7.509%, indicating consistent behaviour across samples. The average angle of repose was 23.58 degrees, showing that piles of tiger nuts remain stable at slopes shallower than this angle. Variations in the angle of repose, with a standard deviation of 20.80 degrees, could be attributed to factors such as size, shape, and moisture content. Overall, the findings indicate that tiger nuts have desirable properties for food industry applications, including low moisture content, uniform size and shape, moderate water absorption capacity, and significant porosity for moisture retention and airflow. These characteristics support prolonged storage and efficient processing, offering valuable information for agricultural practices, equipment design, and product development.