IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 9, Issue 12 Ver. II (December. 2016), PP 109-112 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/2380-091202109112 www.iosrjournals.org 109 | Page Determination of SomePhysico-mechanical and Nutritional Properties of Jujube (Zizyphusjujuba Mill.) Fruit and Recomandations for its Mechanization Ahmet Fatih Hacıyusufoglu 1 , Cengiz Özarslan 2 , Taner Akbaş 3** 1 (Department of Motor Vehicles and Transformation Techn. / Adnan Menderes University, Aydin 09010, Turkey) 2 (Department of Biosystem Engineering / Adnan Menderes University, Aydin 09010, Turkey) 3 (Department of Electronics and Automation / Adnan Menderes University, Aydin 09010, Turkey) Abstract:In this study, some of the physico-mechanical properties and nutritional values for development of sieving systems suitable for postharvest classification procedure of 3 cultivars of jujube fruit, namely Coco, Shanxi Li and Sugar Cane, are discussed. For this purpose, physical properties such as length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, aspect ratio, surface area and mass and nutritional values such as humidity, acidity, protein and total sugar of fruits and stones were determined. Keywords: Jujube, physico-mechanical, nutritional properties **Corresponding Author: taner@adu.edu.tr I. Introduction Jujube (ZizyphusjujubaMill.)plant belongs to Rhamnaceae family which consist of 45 species and 550 strains and is usually grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions in the world (Mukhtar et al., 2004). As jujube is grown in slopes with dry pebble or stones in its homeland China, it is grown in China, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, India, Iraq, Nigeria, Spain, the southern western part of the US, Afghanistan, Australia and Turkey today. It is raised as natural and closed gardens in Turkey, and grown in West and South Anatolia, in Alanya, Gazipaşa, Büyük Ada, Sinop, Ganos Mountain (Tekirdağ), Aydın and also Gümüşsuyu county of Denizli (Ecevit et al., 2002; Karıncalı, 2003; Akbolatet al., 2008; Kavas and Dalkılıç, 2015). Since jujube fruit is quite delicious, it is consumed in food sector, and also because of antitoxin effect and different nutritional elements it contains, it is also used in alternative medicine. Various researchers suggest it forincreasing muscle strength, immunity against illnesses (Immune system resistance), treatment of cancer and gaining weight. It is also prescribed as a tonic to strengthen liver functions in China (Chevallier, 1996). When they are 3-4 years old, jujube trees start to yield fruit and it is possible to harvest them every year (Figure 1). Jujube tree has a cylindrical trunk, brown bark and thorny branches. Its leaves consist of 8-11 leaflets which are simple or combined, show opposing or spiral pattern formed by mother lode and with full or toothed edges. There are 2 hard thorns as little thorns with little leafstalks at the depths of leaves (Anşin and Özkan, 1997; Karıncalı, 2003). Figure 1: Location of the fruit on the tree Its fruits are similar to eleagnus, sweet and juicy, in shape of an egg, firstly in olive green, then dark red-black colored and single stoned (Yaltırık, 1997; Genç, 2005; Yücel, 2005). Importance of jujube fruit, on which many studies and researches are conducted, is gaining momentum in some countries and it is expected to be grown widely as a new fruit type in near future (Possingham 1990).In our country, pursuit of a alternative product is still on agenda. One of these products is jujube. However, in Turkey, there is still no professional orchardist potential in terms of growing jujube. One of the most important reasons of this is that in the regions