2. Materials and methods
2.1. Determination of physical characteristics
A well-known export-orientated orchard in Samut Sakhon province, Thailand, was chosen as the source for the young coconuts which provided data for this experiment. Newly harvested young “Nahm Wahn” coconuts of uniform size were purchased every four days beginning on the 170th day after pollination and continuing until the 206th day after pollination. They were transported on the same day to a laboratory at the Department of Agricultural Engineering at Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen. While the young coconuts were harvested 170 days after pollination, they require 170–195 days to reach the desirable level of maturity. Those that were harvested between 170 and 180 days after pollination were considered immature. The fruit becomes over-mature after 195 days (Siripanich, 1995). Twenty coconuts were randomly selected in accordance with ASAE Standard (ASAE Standard, 1994). The diameter and height of each fruit sample were measured with a vernier caliper, and the weight was measured on an electronic balance (Sartorius PT 6000V2). The specific gravity of each sample was determined by using the water displacement method described by Mohsenin (1996).