Comparison of physical and hydrodynamic properties of two Iranian commercial pomegranates

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine and compare several physical and hydrodynamic properties of two commercial pomegranate cultivars in Iran (Poost sefid and Malas-Yazd).  Values of geometric diameter (74.61-82.45 mm), volume (176-503 mm³), true density (970.25-1,028.30 kg/m³) and packing coefficient (0.48-0.55) showed statistically significant difference at the 1% level.  Besides, projected area and face surface area of cv. Poost sefid were 15 and 18 percent more than cv. Malas-Yazd, respectively (P<0.01).  Terminal velocity, coming up time and drag force were 0.17 m/s, 3.42 s and 17 N for cv. Poost sefid and 0.18 m/s, 3.38 s and 1.94 N for cv. Malas-Yazd (P>0.05), respectively.  Further, buoyancy force levels of cv. Poost sefid (3.25 N) and cv. Malas-Yazd (2.41 N) had statistically significant difference at the level 5%.  The rupture force values of Iranian pomegranate varieties had significant differences at Y and Z-axes loading (P<0.05), while this factor was not significant at X-axes loading.  The values of rupture energy for pomegranate varieties at all of the loading directions were also significant at 5% probability level.  Determining these properties is of high importance in design and construction of conveying, sorting and processing machines and equipment for pomegranate cultivars.