Effect of Insect Infestation on the Physical Properties of Black Gram (Vigna Mungo)

Abstract

Abstract

Though sample research has been conducted to study the effects of insect infestation on the quantitative and qualitative changes in food grains, no elaborate work has been reported on the effects of infestation on the physical properties of grains. In this research, physical properties of black gram including size, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, aspect ratio, 1000 kernel mass, bulk density, true density, porosity, specific gravity, angle of repose and coefficient of friction were evaluated for different levels of infestation (10, 20, 30, 40, 50% v.b.). Mass of individual infested kernel was around 50% of healthy kernel. Though, the pulse beetle infestation showed no significant changes in sphericity, geometric mean diameter, aspect ratio and surface area values, porosity increased linearly with increasing level of infestation and 1000 kernel mass and bulk density values decreased for higher levels of infestation, specific gravity and true density values followed uncertain trends. This data requires to be considered while designing grain handling equipment.

Keywords: Black gram, pulse beetle, insect infestation, physical properties, grain handling

Cite this Article

Vimala Bharathi S.K., Vishnu P.V., Vishnu E. et al. Effect of Insect Infestation on the Physical Properties of Black Gram (Vigna Mungo). Journal of Crop Science and Technology. 2016; 5(1): 17–24p.