Flowability of plant based food powders: Almond, chestnut, chickpea, coconut, hazelnut and rice

This study presents bulk material characterization, especially powder flowability, of eight food powders from six different plants (almond, chestnut, chickpea, coconut, hazelnut and rice). The characterization of the bulk powders includes the particle size distributions, true densities, bulk and tapped densities, as well as the powder porosity and moisture content. The flowability is determined by means of Hausner ratio, Carr's index, flow function by an annular shear cell and dynamic angle of repose. The flowability characteristics are discussed in regard to the bulk powder properties and evaluated for their applicability as some methods could give misleading results for the flowability.