Some Selected Engineering Properties of Seven Genotypes in Quinoa Seeds

Some selected engineering properties (geometrical, volumetrical, colour and mechanical) properties of seven genotypes in quinoa seeds were determined and compared in this study. Che. quinoa (red) genotype had the lowest geometric mean diameter and surface area, whereas Che. quinoa (black) genotype had the highest values among 7 quinoa genotypes, for these properties. The bulk density, true density, and porosity of quinoa genotypes were determined between 713.6 and 824.4 kg/m3, 766.9 and 911.4 kg/m3, 6.95 and 15.03% respectively. Che. quinoa (Q11) genotype had the lowest bulk and true densities, whereas Che. quinoa (Ames) genotype had the highest bulk and true density values among quinoa genotypes. The sphericity and seed volume values of Che. quinoa (black) genotype observed in quinoa genotypes were lower than the other quinoa genotypes. The lowest hue angle and chroma colour characteristics values were found as 33.61 and 8.41 in Che. quinoa (black) genotype among quinoa genotypes, respectively. The static friction coefficient and the angle of repose in quinoa genotypes were determined between 0.477 and 0.955, 14.09 and 23.57° respectively.  The lowest rupture force and hardness were found in Che. quinoa (black) genotype, whereas, the highest rupture force and rupture energy were found in Che. quinoa (PI) genotype among quinoa genotypes. The study provides an opportunity that some engineering properties (including physical and mechanical properties in the quinoa seeds of seven genotypes may be useful in designing of the related equipment for postharvest handling and processing operations (harvesting, separating, processing, packing, and transportation).