Studies on Properties of Multiplier CO 4 Onion Bulb
(Allium cepa L.var. aggregatum. Don.)
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Author:G. Kaveri, V. Thirupathi, Kailappan and Kasthuri
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:102, Issue:jan-mar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.001073
Abstract
The properties of multiplier onion bulbs were studied for design of equipment for processing,
sorting, transportation and heat transfer processes (heating and cooling). The equatorial
diameter, polar diameter, thickness, geometric mean diameter (D gm ), arithmetic mean
diameter (D am ) frontal surface area (Af.s) and cross sectional areas (A s.c ) of the fresh and three
months stored Co-4 cultivar were determined. Spherical shapes of bulbs were indicated by
values of shape index and sphericity. Surface area ranged from 14.04 ± 6.93 cm 2 for fresh
onion and 11.18 ± 2.40 cm 2 for three months stored onion. The roundness values were 0.87 ±
0.04 and 0.84 ± 0.08 for fresh and stored samples respectively. Mass, volume, true density,
bulk density and porosity were also determined. The emptying angle of repose for fresh and
three months stored onion bulbs was higher than the filling angle of repose. The coefficient
of friction was high in rubber surface and lowest in polished wooden card board surface.
Key words : Multiplier onion, Geometrical properties, Physical properties, Frictional properties