Moisture sorption characteristics of agricultural and food products play important roles in such technological processes as drying, handling, packaging, storage, mixing, freeze-drying and other processes that require the prediction of food stability, shelf life, glass transition and estimation of drying time and texture and prevention of deteriorative reactions. They are useful in the computation of thermodynamic energies of moisture in the products. An understanding of moisture sorption phenomena in products, moisture sorption isotherm (MSI) determination techniques and moisture sorption isotherm model evaluation procedures would be useful in the development or selection, modeling and controlling as well as optimization of appropriate processes to make for enhanced efficiency. The phenomena addressed in this chapter are equilibrium moisture content (EMC)-water activity (a w) relationships and MSI types, temperature influence on isotherms and occurrence of moisture sorption hysteresis. MSI measurement techniques highlighted are the gravimetric, vapor pressure manometric (VPM), hygrometric and inverse gas chromatographic and the use of AquaLab equipment. Commonly used moisture sorption isotherm models (BET, GAB, modified GAB, Hailwood-Horrobin, modified Hailwood-Horrobin, modified Halsey, modified Henderson, modified Chung-Pfost and modified Oswin) were selected, and their evaluation procedures using moisture sorption data were outlined. Static gravimetric technique involving the use of saturated salt solution appears to be the most widely used and recommended method of determining the EMC of agricultural and food products. Most of the MSI models can be fitted to moisture sorption data thorough linearization by logarithmic transformation, while others can be solved using such expression as second-order polynomial. Model goodness of fit can be determined using standard (SE) error of estimate, coefficient of determination (R 2), mean relative percentage deviation (P) and fraction explained variation (FEV). The acceptance of a model depends on the nature of its residual plots. A model is considered acceptable if the residual plots show uniform scatter around the horizontal value of zero showing no systemic tendency towards a clear pattern. A model is better than another model if it has lower SE, lower P, higher R 2 and higher FEV. Although it appears as if a generalized MSI model is yet to exist, it is recommended that the Ngoddy-Bakker-Arkema (NBA) model should be given thorough going and extensive testing on the MSI of different categories of food as it could prove true to its generalized model posture due to the fundamental nature of its derivation.

No abstract

Purpose:The drying of a thin layer of native cassava starch in a tray dryer was modeled to establish an equation for predicting the drying behavior under given conditions. Methods: Drying tests were performed using samples of native cassava starch over a temperature range of 40-60°C. We investigated the variation in the drying time, dynamic equilibrium moisture content, drying rate period, critical moisture content, and effective diffusivity of the starch with temperature. The starch diffusion coefficient and drying activation energy were determined. A modification of the model developed by Hii et al. was devised and tested alongside fourteen other models. Results: For starch with an initial moisture content of 82% (db), the drying time and dynamic equilibrium moisture content decreased as the temperature increased. The constant drying rate phase preceded the falling rate phase between 40-55°C. Drying at 60°C occurred only in the falling rate phase. The critical moisture content was observed in the 40-55°C range and increased with the temperature. The effective diffusivity of the starch increased as the drying temperature increased from 40 to 60°C. The modified Hii et al. model produced randomized residual plots, the highest R 2 , and the lowest standard error of estimates. Conclusions: Drying time decreased linearly with an increase in the temperature, while the decrease in the moisture content was linear between 40-55°C. The constant drying rate phase occurred without any period of induction over a temperature range of 40-55°C prior to the falling rate period, while drying at 60°C took place only in the falling rate phase. The effective diffusivity had an Arrhenius relationship with the temperature. The modified Hii et al. model proved to be optimum for predicting the drying behavior of the starch in the tray dryer.

Purpose: Designing equipment for processing, sorting, and other post-harvest operations of agricultural products requires information about their physical properties. This study was conducted to investigate some of the mechanical and physical properties of Moringa oleifera L. pods and seeds. Methods: Properties such as the length, width, thickness, bulk density, porosity, mass, static coefficient of friction, and angle of repose were determined as a function of moisture content. Statistical data and force-deformation curves obtained at each loading orientation and moisture level were analyzed for bioyield point, bioyield strength, yield force, rupture point, and rupture strength using a testrometric machine. Result: The basic dimensions (length, width, and thickness) of moringa pods and seeds were found to increase linearly from 311.15 to 371.45 mm, 22.79 to 31.22 mm, and 22.24 to 29.88 mm, respectively, in the moisture range of 12 to 49.5% d.b. The coefficient of friction for both pods and seeds increased linearly with an increase in moisture content on all the surfaces used. The highest value was recorded on mild steel, with 0.581 for pods and 0.3533 for seeds, and the lowest on glass for pods, with a value of 0.501, and of 0.2933 for seeds on galvanized steel. The bioyield and rupture forces, bioyield and rupture energies, and deformation of the pods decreased with an increase in moisture content to a minimum value, then increased with further decrease within the moisture content range, while the yield force increased to a maximum value and then decreased as the moisture content increased. Conclusion: These results will help to determine the most suitable conditions for processing, transporting, and storing moringa pods, and to provide relevant data useful in designing handling and processing equipment for the crop.

Purpose: Physical properties of Detarium microcarpum seeds were investigated as a function of moisture content to explore the possibility of developing bulk handling and processing equipment. Methods: Seed size, surface area, and 1,000-seed weight were determined by measuring the three principal axes, measuring area on a graph paper, and counting and weighing seeds. Particle and bulk densities were determined using liquid displacement and weight in a measuring cylinder, respectively. Porosity was computed from particle and bulk densities. Roundness and sphericity were measured using shadowgraphs. Angle of repose and static and kinetic coefficients of friction were determined using the vertical cylindrical pipe method, an inclined plane, and a kinetic coefficient of friction apparatus. Results: In the moisture range of 8.2%-28.5% (db), the major, intermediate, and the minor axes increased from 2.95 to 3.21 cm, 1.85 to 2.61 cm, and 0.40 to 1.21 cm, respectively. Surface area, 1,000-seed weight, particle density, porosity, and angle of repose increased from 354.62 to 433.19 cm 2 , 3.184 to 3.737 kg, 1060 to1316 kg/m 3 , and 30.0% to 53.1%, respectively, whereas bulk density decreased from 647.6 to 617.2 kg/m 3 . Angle of repose increased from 13.9° to 28.4°. Static and kinetic coefficients of friction varied between 0.096 and 0.638 on different structural surfaces. Conclusions: Arithmetic mean, geometric mean, and equivalent sphere effective diameters determined at the same moisture level were significantly different from each other, with the arithmetic mean diameter being greatest. Surface area, 1,000-seed weight, particle density, porosity, and angle of repose all increased linearly with moisture content. Bulk density decreased linearly with moisture content. The coefficients of friction had linear relationships with moisture content. The highest values of static and kinetic coefficients of friction were observed on galvanized steel and hessian fabric, respectively, whereas the lowest values were observed on fiberglass.