The Effects of Genotype, Moisture Content, Speeds and Loading Direction on Walnut Extraction Quality

 In this research, some parameters affecting walnut kernel extraction quality under impact loading were studied. The tests were carried out on the available genotypes in Iran. For this purpose, three different genotypes from walnut orchards of Azarshar city were selected and the total yield of these genotypes was collected. The universal test machine (Hounsfield) was used for the compression tests. For the impact tests, four factors were evaluated in a factorial experiment using a completely randomized design with five replications. The factors were genotype, moisture content, load direction with three levels, and compression speed (three levels), and the effect of these factors on kernel extraction quality was studied. Walnut breakage assessments and kernel extraction quality were evaluated by well-defined criteria. Generally, with increasing moisture content, the percentage of broken kernels decreased and the extraction quality grade was improved. The percentages of broken kernels increased when compression speed was increased. Generally, soaking the walnuts in water for 12 h and Y loading direction yielded the best kernel extraction quality.