Abstract
This paper aims at investigating the hygroscopic behavior and the thermodynamic characterization of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaves and root during moisture sorption phenomena. This study has been conducted by using the saturated salt solutions at different temperatures 30 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C. The obtained isotherms curves of all samples were of sigmoidal Type II. The optimal water activity was determined. Moreover, thirteen models are fitted and compared in order to choose the most suitable model that perfectly represents the relationship between moisture sorption content and water activity. The comparison of these models has been based on the coefficient of correlation as well as the standard error of estimate. Furthermore, several equations are used to determine the net isosteric heat of sorption, the sorption differential entropy, the spreading pressure, the specific surface area of sorption, and the enthalpy-entropy compensation theory. All these thermodynamic properties allow us to analyze the thermodynamic behavior of the leaves and the dandelion root during the sorption processes.
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