“…13 In general, moisture diffusion is driven by gradients produced through numerous 14 mechanisms such as capillary flow (diffusion in liquid phase), migration in the adsorbed 15 layer, vapour-condensation and true diffusion of vapour in air (Karathanos, Villalobos, & 16 Saravacos, 1990). The drying rate, which describes the mechanisms of internal-external 17 and heat-mass transport phenomenon during drying, strongly depends on drying method 18 and air conditions such as temperature, relative humidity and air velocity (Lahsasni, 19 Kouhila, Mahrouz, & Jaouhari, 2004). Nonetheless, Phupaichitkun, Mahayothee, 20 Waldenmaier, and Müller (2008) have found that the air velocity is not as influential of a 21 parameter in thin-layer drying of longan fruits as the temperature, and furthermore, that the airflow direction inside the drying chamber combined with unsuitable drying 1 conditions could result in inefficient drying as thin-layer models are affected by the airflow 2 mode used.…”