Geometric, Physical and Mechanical Properties of the Fruit-rachilla of the Macauba Palm (Acrocomia aculeata) Considering Different Sampling Sites in the State of Minas Gerais in Brazil
Jéssica Pontes Rangel *
Departament of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
Daniel Marçal de Queiroz
Departament of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
Francisco de Assis de Carvalho Pinto
Departament of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
Fábio Lúcio Santos
Departament of Engineering, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
Domingos Sárvio Magalhães Valente
Departament of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the geometric, physical and mechanical properties of the fruit-rachilla system of the macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) from three different locations in the state of Minas Gerais. Three different sampling site wee assemble in the mature and green maturation stages. The replicates of the experiment were established, use 20 samples from four different plants for each sampling site, at different stages of maturation. For the experiment, the dimensions in three directions were determined, the mass, volume and density of the fruits and the rachilla. The modulus od elasticity and Poisson’s ratio were determined using a universal test machine. The mean values of the diameter and density for the fruits were 40 mm and 1.20 g cm-3, approximately. The mean valeus of the density of the rachillae obtained of 0.55 g cm-3. The dimensions and the density of the fruits and the rachillae presented significant in relation to the study of the interaction of the factors. The values of modulus of elasticity green maturation stage are higher than values for mature maturation stage in two sampling sites studied. The values of the Poisson’s ratio of the rachillae were 0.37 m m-1 and were not different with respect to none of the factors studied.
Keywords: Modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, exotic fruits, fruit oil