Influence of Moisture Content and Seed Dimensions on Mechanical Oil Expression from African Oil Bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) Seed

摘要: New low-cost oilseeds are needed to meet an ever-increasing demand for oil food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. African bean seed is a tropical crop that underutilized has high yields, but there have been no studies conducted on its mechanical expression up now. The objective of this work was investigate the effect moisture content dimensions from seeds. Methods: Fresh seeds were procured, de-hulled, cleaned. Initial content, obtained in accordance with ASAE standard, 12% dry basis (db). further conditioned by dehydration rehydration prior obtain four other levels 8, 10, 14, 16% db. major diameter measured using digital vernier calipers, classified into size ( 55 mm). yield efficiency standard evaluation methods. Results: highest (47.74% 78.96%, respectively) 8% db < 40 mm, while lowest (41.35% 68.28%, 14% between 51-55 mm. A mathematical model developed predict known dimensions, coefficient determination R² 95% confidence level predictive 84.17%. probability prediction F ratio showed influence more significant than dimensions. Conclusions: higher larger lower