DETERMINATION OF SOME SELECTED PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THREE VARIETIES OF GARLIC (Allium sativum Linn) AT DIFFERENT MOISTURE CONTENTS

Abstract

Some physical properties of three common varieties (in Kano State, Nigeria) of garlic cloves Ex-kofa, Dangin kura and Mai-makulli variety were determined and compared. These properties were obtained at five moisture content levels of 56.72, 42.85, 34.93, 26.48 and 13.68 % d. b. The ranges of the dimensions measured at the stated moisture content levels for Ex-kofa, variety were 25.35-20.56 mm, 13.33-8.16 mm, 16.36 -10.51 mm, for polar diameter, equatorial diameter and thickness respectively. Similarly, the values obtained for Dangin Kura were 22.25-18.41 mm, 9.78-5.85 mm and 11.91-7.21 mm. The values for Mai mukulli, respectively, were 24.46-20.41 mm, 14.25-10.05 mm and 11.16 - 6.64 mm. The Geometric mean diameter, Arithmetic mean diameter and Sphericity ranges were 14.83-10.64 mm, 16.15-12.09 mm and 0.61-0.53 for Ex-kofa, while 14.23-10.49 mm, 15.57-11.89 mm and 0.64-0.53 are for Dangin kura variety. Similarly, for Mai-makulli variety respectively, the values are 15.10-10.47 mm, 13.93-9.68 mm and 0.63-0.52. The Surface area, Cross-sectional Area and Shape Index range was 232.25-129.83 mm², 618.86-348.19 mm² and 0.72-0.65 for Ex-kofa. That for Dangin kura were 244.87-125.06 mm², 701.36-335.90 mm² and 0.68-0.65. While 233.35-122.80 mm², 617.92-313.33 mm² and 0.71-0.62 were values for Mai-makulli variety respectively. The range for mean values of bulk density, true density and porosity for the garlic cloves were measured as 768.30-350.40 kg/m³, 1185-699.30 kg/m³ and 34.83-49.93 for Ex-kofa variety. While 762.96-352.46 kg/m³, 1197.73-757.73 kg/m³ and 35.80-49.42 were for Dangin kura variety. Similarly, the ranges of values for Mai-makulli variety were 759.70-353.20 kg/m³, 1208.06-692.73 kg/m³ and 35.41-49.01 respectively. Results of statistical analysis ANOVA showed that the moisture content had significant effect on all the properties. The variety has significant effect on dimensions and arithmetic mean diameter. From the findings, it reveals that mean values of these properties were found to be higher at higher moisture levels for all the varieties. For porosity, however, the higher values were obtained at lower moisture levels.