Abstract

The present work aimed to assess the effect of the initial moisture content of grains (at harvest), velocity of the harvester cylinder and air temperature on the diffusion coefficient, as well as to achieve the activation energy of the drying process of two popcorn cultivars. Grains of popcorn from the cultivars Zelia and CMS 43 were mechanically and manually harvested and thrashed. The rotations of the threshing cylinder were fixed at 500, 600 and 700 rpm, with initial moisture contents of 0.235 and 0.175 db. They were dried with drying air temperatures of 40, 50 and 60oC, until reaching the final moisture content of 0.137 db. The diffusion coefficient increased with increased air temperature, presenting average values from 6.345 × 10-11 to 3.075 × 10-13 m2s-1 for the temperature range studied, depending on the initial moisture content, cultivar and level of mechanical damage. The cultivar CMS 43 (C2) is more resistant to the mechanical damage caused by the threshing cylinder, and the structural changes caused by it increased the diffusion coefficient. The relation between diffusion coefficient and temperature can be described by the Arrhenius expression, which presents activation energy for liquid diffusion in the grains of popcorn from 1.50 to 45.92 kJ mol-1. Key words: Mechanical damage, initial moisture content, diffusion coefficient.

Highlights

  • Popcorn cultivation is increasing throughout the years in several countries, including Brazil, due to the consumption increment of popcorn, especially after microwave use

  • Moisture content reduction is essential in order to diminish the material biological activity

  • The analysis of the results demonstrates that the diffusion coefficient increased with increased drying air temperature

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Popcorn cultivation is increasing throughout the years in several countries, including Brazil, due to the consumption increment of popcorn, especially after microwave use. This culture has some favorable aspects when compared to conventional corn grain, such as: High mechanization potential at all production processes; lower susceptibility to plague and diseases during plant development. Its commercial value is, at least, two times superior to traditional corn grain. Moisture content reduction is essential in order to diminish the material biological activity. Chemical and physical occurs due to drying procedure, which affects storage of the product. The moisture content reduction involves heat and mass transfer processes, which can substantially change the grain’s quality

Methods
Results
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call