ABSTRACT The present research aimed to study the water sorption behavior of quinoa seeds analyzing the hysteresis phenomenon and determining thermodynamic properties. Static gravimetric technique was used to obtain the equilibrium moisture content of quinoa seeds in different temperature conditions (15, 25, 35 e 50 °C) and relative humidity (between 11 and 96%). Equilibrium moisture content data were adjusted by eight mathematical models and the Modified Halsey model was the best one to describe the water sorption phenomena of quinoa seeds. Hygroscopic equilibrium moisture content of quinoa seeds is directly proportional to the water activity and decreases with increasing temperature. The hysteresis phenomena were observed throughout the range of water activity, showing more evident at low temperatures. Integral isosteric heat and differential entropy decreased with the increase of equilibrium moisture content. Gibbs free energy decreased with the increase of temperature and equilibrium moisture content. Compensation enthalpy-entropy theory was confirmed and the sorption mechanism is controlled by enthalpy.

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da danificação mecânica na histerese de grãos de feijão, em diferentes condições de temperatura e umidade relativa. Foram utilizados grãos de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) colhidos manualmente com teor de água de 35% (b.u.). Parte desse produto foi submetido à danificação mecânica induzida (via Stein Breakage Tester) e a secagem controlada (amostra danificada e testemunha), para os processos de dessorção e adsorção. As isotermas de adsorção e dessorção da água foram analisadas para diferentes condições de temperatura: 20, 30, 40 e 50 oC e umidade relativa: 0,3; 0,4; 0,5; 0,7 e 0,9 (decimal). Os dados de teor de água de equilíbrio foram correlacionados com seis modelos matemáticos; o modelo Oswin Modificado foi o que melhor se ajustou aos dados experimentais. Uma vez visualizadas as isotermas supracitadas foi possível verificar o fenômeno da histerese das amostras danificadas e testemunha, fenômeno este mais pronunciado na amostra testemunha.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mechanical damage on the hysteresis of beans with induced mechanical damage under different conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) harvested manually with 35% water content (w.b.) were used. Part of this product was subjected to induced mechanical damage by Stein Breakage Tester and controlled drying (damaged and control sample), for sorption processes. The sorption isotherms of water were analyzed for different temperature conditions: 20, 30, 40 and 50 oC; and relative humidity: 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.7 and 0.9 (decimal). Equilibrium moisture content data were correlated with six mathematical models, and the Modified Oswin model was the one that best fitted to the experimental data. According to the above mentioned isotherms, it was possible to observe the phenomenon of hysteresis of damaged and control samples, and this phenomenon was more pronounced in control ones.