Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of fresh potato

The potato tubers (var. Kufri Badshah) were collected from Potato Research Station, Deesa for determine the some of the physical and mechanical properties such as size, shape, surface area, volume, bulk density, porosity, true porosity, coefficient of friction, Quasi-static compression force, Firmness, Compliance, Rupture Energy Static compression rupture force, Cutting force and Puncture force were determined which are required in design of various cleaning, grading, transporting, cutting, packaging equipments etc. The physical properties of potato tubers (var. Kufri Badshah) were found that the diameters D1, D2, D3, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, aspect ratio and surface area, with their standard deviation and mean were 66.7 ± 9.6, 54.0 ± 6.7 and 44.5 ± 5.4 mm, 54.2 ± 6.1mm,81.77 ± 5.73 %, 81.47 ± 7.6 % and 9340.4 ± 2168.5 mm2 respectively. The average values of bulk density for small size, medium size and large size tubers were found to be 738.49, 718.01 and 704.36 kg/m3 respectively. The average true density and bulk porosity were 1067 kg/m3 and 32.49 per cent respectively. The moisture content of potato tuber at the time of harvest ranged from 77.39 to 81.48 percent. Mean static coefficient of friction were 0.425 (for Aluminum sheet), 0.567 (for G I sheet), 0.677 (for Plywood sheet). The compliance, firmness and toughness were 0.01 mm/N, 100.3 ±12.23 N/mm and 13472 ± 2.643 N-mm and with C.V. of 12.23, 12.23 and 19.62 per cent, respectively. The average values of static compression force, deformation, compliance, firmness, and toughness were found to be 1045.52 ± 66.84 N, 25.58±2.26 mm, 0.0250.01 ± 0.0 mm/N, 41.122 ±3.67 N/mm and 13397.29 ± 1660.47 N-mm. The average values of cutting force, deformation, compliance, firmness and toughness were 258.84 ± 14.48 N, 17.26±2.29 mm, 0.067 ± 0.01 mm/ N,15.210 ± 0.1.85 N/mm and 2243.092 ± 384.67 N-mm The average values of puncture force, deformation, compliance, firmness and toughness were 79.34 ± 9.54 N, 9.04±0.60 mm, 0.115 ± 0.01 mm/ N,8.750 ±0.59 N/mm and 361.23 ± 64.27 N-mm.