Modelamiento matemático de la cinética de secado de espagueti enriquecido con pulpa de zapallo deshidratada (Cucurbita moschata)

Abstract

Although several studies have been carried out on mathematical modeling of the spaghetti drying kinetics, they have not been developed for spaghetti with an incorporation of Triticum durum wheat semolina by dehydrated squash pulp (DSP). Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to model the kinetics of spaghetti drying partially substituted with DSP (5 and 10g/100g flour), to evaluate the effect of substitution and temperature (50 and 60°C), on the time of drying (final moisture content = 0.13g/g d.b.), the effective diffusivity (De) and some characteristics that define the quality of the product (moisture content, cooking quality and total carotenoid content). For this, mathematical models reported in the literature were used, as well as the second law of Fick for an infinite cylinder. The results showed that the Henderson & Pabis and the Logarithmic models presented greater adjustment (R2≥ 0.90) to the experimental drying kinetics. On the contrary, the Lewis model presented the smallest adjustment. Drying times of 5.00-4.10h were obtained for the kinetics carried out at 50°C and drying times of 3.40-2.80h (approximately) for the kinetics at 60°C. It varied from 1.50 to 2.50 × 10-7cm2s-1, which increased with temperature. Finally, the spaghetti quality was negatively affected with the increase in PZD and positively with the increase in the drying temperature.