THE EFFECT OF MOISTURE CONTENT ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BERBERIS

In order to enhance the mechanization level of harvest and post-harvest operations of Berberis fruit, as one of the major and local crops of south Khorasan province, some of its physical properties were investigated. Different dimensions, geometrical mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, mass of thousand fruit, true density, bulk density, porosity, static coefficient of friction and the repose angles were determined. The properties and the effect of moisture content on them were studied by the completely randomized designs statistical method. Analysis of data indicated that the change of moisture content caused significant difference (P<0.01) for the total studied parameters except static coefficient of friction on polyethylene and wood materials. Length, width, thickness, geometrical mean diameter, surface area, sphericity, mass of thousand fruit and bulk density decreased with the decrease in moisture content and true density, porosity, repose angles and static coefficient of friction on all studied materials except wood and polyethylene increased with decrease in moisture content.