Influence of moisture content on physical properties of little Millet (LMJK-36)

The study, conducted to determine the effect of moisture content on physical properties of little millet in three moisture contents namely 7.2, 11 and 12.6 per cent (db), showed that with the increase in the moisture content the geometric mean diameter, sphericity, thousand grain weight, angle of repose and static coefficient of friction increased from 1.33 to 1.46 mm, 0.67 to 0.77 mm, 2.32 to 2.41 g, 23-29 per cent and 0.39 to 0.44 (plywood), 0.37 to 0.44 (steel), 035 to 0.39 (glass), respectively. The bulk density, true density and porosity decreased from 755 to 683 Kg m3 –1, 1514 to 1123 Kg m3 –1 and 50.45 to 45.23 per cent, respectively for the little millet grain in the moisture content 7.2 to 12.6 per cent (db). The study showed that the initial moisture content had significant effect on physical properties determined and thus was useful in the design and development of post harvest processing equipment.