Summary:

The behaviour of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) powder relevant to its densification at low pressure was determined given different equipment aspect ratios (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5) and varying rates of deformation (5.5, 10 and 14.5 mm min-1). The effects of both parameters were examined through the analysis of variance and trends were fitted to observed mechanical responses using standard regression technique. Both aspect ratio and the time rate of deformation had highly significant effects on the material's response to load. Strain rate and specific power requirement were power functions of the equipment's aspect ratio, at all rates of deformation. These findings furnish insights on mechanical response in compressed food powders which are applicable in modelling related food handling and processing systems.