Desorption isotherms of seeds of forage radish obtained by dynamic and static methods

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the desorption isotherms of radish seeds and adjust mathematical models to experimental data obtained by static and dynamic methods, and to verify the possibility of using a single model for both methods. The equilibrium moisture contents were determined by dynamic method at temperatures of 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C and water activity for each temperature from 0.27 to 0.82. In the static method desiccators were used containing saturated salt solutions and samples that were placed in B.O.D (Biological Oxygen Demand) chambers maintained at the same temperatures. Mathematical models available in the literature were adjusted to experimental data. According to statistical analysis parameters, Copace model was the one that best described the hygroscopicity of radish seeds obtained by the dynamic method; for the static models, Copace Sigma, Oswin, Modified Halsey and Copace were the ones that best represented hygroscopicity of radish seeds. According to the technique of model identity, it is possible to adjust a single Copace equation to the experimental data for both analyzed methods.