Effects of Moisture Content, Impact Direction and Impact Energy on the Cracking Characteristics of Apricot Pit

Samples of apricot pits at 7.61, 12.45, 18.21 and 25.15% (wet basis) moisture contents in the three directions (along length, width and thickness) were subjected to impact energy ranged from 0.2 to 1.1 J using an impact test apparatus. Data obtained on the quantity of fully cracked and unbroken kernel, fully cracked but broken kernel and uncracked pits were used in the computation of the pits cracking characteristics. Results showed that moisture content, impact energy and impact direction significantly influenced the cracking characteristics of pits (p<0.01). Full cracking of pits increased with decreasing moisture content and increased impact energy. The optimum moisture content for cracking pits that gave the best result combination of high whole kernel yield and low kernel breakage was found to be about 18%. The optimum impact energy that gave the best condition for apricots pit kernel extraction was found to be about 0.6 J and in the direction along width of pit. However, result of study showed that development of an impact cracker, which uses impact to crack pits, is possible. It suggests that the structure of the cracker should be such that create the impact energy of 0.6 J in the direction along width of pit and pits should be conditioned to the moisture content of about 18% for optimum efficiency.