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- Title
Modeling the viscoelastic behaviour of the St. Julian mango (Manifera Indica L, var. Julie).
- Authors
Birch, Robert; Ekwue, Edwin
- Abstract
The St. Julian mango when handled in postharvest operations becomes susceptible to deformations such as bruising. An investigation of the changes in the physical properties of the St. Julian mango while under mechanical loading would assist scientists in understanding the mechanisms that are at play in the handling of the fruit and can aid in better handling practices. Measurements of the depths of penetration or deformation values were obtained for the St. Julian mango under a constant load test for four hours duration. During this time the mango exhibited creep. On removal of the load, the change in deformation was measured over an hour and a half and creep recovery behaviour was observed. These tests were performed over seven days and the rate of respiration was monitored. Four rheological models were examined and tested to mathematically model the physical behaviour of the St. Julian mango under these tests. The Burgers model was selected as the best fit as over 95% of the samples fitted the model and R2 values of greater than 0.90 were obtained. It was also observed that there was a significant increase in deformation on the onset of climacteric. This could be attributed to the onset of the softening of the fruit. Creep recovery measurements indicated a permanent indentation of 2.7 mm on the fruit's skin after seven days of harvest. Investigations were also performed on changes in creep recovery, rate of change in creep recovery, and recovery strain. Both changes in creep recovery and the rate of change in creep recovery showed an exponential relationship with time. A new term called recovery time () which was the minimum time required for permanent deformation to set in was developed. Such a value is useful for handling and packing fruits. A linear relationship was developed between the change in creep recovery and days after harvest. This relationship would have used in determining the minimum acceptable change in permanent deformation during the handling and packing processes.
- Subjects
MANGO; FRUIT skins; PRESERVATION of fruit; BATHYMETRY; FRUIT; DEFORMATIONS (Mechanics)
- Publication
Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal, 2022, Vol 24, Issue 4, p119
- ISSN
1682-1130
- Publication type
Article