Some mechanical properties of plantain fruit

Using the Instron Testing Instrument (Model 1122) fitted with a flat-faced cylindrical plunger, prepared specimens of mature unripe plantain fruits (peeled and unpeeled) were compressed axially at 0.83, 1.67, 8.33, 16.67, 25.0, 33.33 x 10'5m s"1 loading rates. From the force-deformation curves generated, some selected mechanical properties-bioyield parameters, rupture parameters and modulus of deformation-were evaluated. The results show that for peeled specimens, all the determined mechanical properties increased with increase in loading rate and with fruit cross-sectional area For the unpeeled specimens the bioyield parameters and modulus of deformation increased with increase in loading rates > 8.33 x 10"5m s"1, while the rupture parameters decreased with increase in loading rates > 8.33x10'5ms"'. Only rupture strength, rupture energy and modulus of deformation for the unpeeled specimens decreased with increase in cross-sectional area All the other parameters for the unpeeled specimens increased with increase in cross-sectional area Also all the determined parameters were higher for the peeled than for the unpeeled specimens for loading rates > 8.33 x 10"5m s"1. The part played by the peel was also highlighted.