Physical Attributes of Garlic (Allium sativum L.

Abstract

Some physical attributes of two common types of Iranian garlic cloves (white and pink) were identified and compared. A machine vision system was used to determine three dimensions and both major and minor projected areas of garlic cloves at a moisture content of 42.4% w. b. The geometric mean diameter and sphericity were calculated, as well as the unit mass and volume of cloves were measured. In the moisture range from 34.9 to 56.7% w.b., the unit density, bulk density and porosity for both types were measured. Results showed that the unit density, bulk density and porosity of cloves were affected significantly by moisture content (p<0.01). The type of garlic had a highly significant effect on the unit density and porosity (P<0.01), and a significant effect on the bulk density (P<0.05). The relationship between volume and dimensions of cloves was established using regression analysis. The effect of moisture content on physical properties of cloves was also expressed by appropriate equations.