Use of diffusive and empirical models to predict drying rate of acerola seeds (Malpighia sp.)

Rubens Albino Moreira Silva Rubens Albino Moreira Silva,José Helvécio Martins José Helvécio Martins,Maria Elita Martins Duarte Maria Elita Martins Duarte,Mário E R M Cavalcanti Mata

doi:10.30574/gjeta.2021.8.1.0098

Rubens Albino Moreira Silva Rubens Albino Moreira Silva, José Helvécio Martins José Helvécio Martins + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.30574/gjeta.2021.8.1.0098

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Abstract

The thin layer drying process of acerola seeds was analyzed using a flat plate geometry diffusion model, Page's model, and a two-part model proposed based on the diffusion equation. These models were fitted to experimental drying kinetics data of acerola seeds for an air flow speed of 1.5 m/s, at temperatures of 40, 50, 60 and 70°C, using non-linear regression by Levenberg-Marquardt method. The diffusion model was used to determine the diffusion coefficients and activation energy. The predicted and experimental results were compared using the determination coefficient (R2) and mean square error (MSE) of the estimates as criteria. The results showed that the diffusion model is not suitable for predicting the drying rate of acerola seeds, while Page’s equation and the two-part proposed model can be safely used to predict the drying rates.

Highlights

Due to the nutritional health benefits of the fruit, the consumption of acerola has been increasing rapidly in several food industries
The thin layer drying process of acerola seeds was analyzed using a flat plate geometry diffusion model, Page's model, and a two-part model proposed based on the diffusion equation
The results showed that the diffusion model is not suitable for predicting the drying rate of acerola seeds, while Page’s equation and the two-part proposed model can be safely used to predict the drying rates

Summary

Introduction

Due to the nutritional health benefits of the fruit, the consumption of acerola has been increasing rapidly in several food industries. Brazil is considered the world's largest producer, consumer and exporter of acerola, produced mainly in the states of Pernambuco with 23.11% of national production; Ceará, with 14.32%; São Paulo, with 11.39%; and Bahia, with 10.48%. In the case of agricultural products, there are still significant losses worldwide, which means a great waste of food, when it comes to seasonal fruits. In Latin American countries, including Brazil, post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables are considerably high, estimated at 30 to 45% [3, 4]. Losses of post-harvest agricultural products are inevitable, but can be minimized by improving processing techniques, especially in products that need storage in the medium and long term, such as fruits, vegetables, grains and cereals [5]

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