ABSTRACT Knowledge on sorption isotherms is important for predicting drying and storage processes of a product. A sorption isotherm can be generated from two processes: desorption and adsorption. The lag between these two curves is called hysteresis. Static method was used to obtain the equilibrium moisture content of paddy rice grains, in different temperature (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ± 1°C) and relative humidity (between 11 and 76% ± 2%) conditions. Equilibrium moisture content data were correlated with eight mathematical models and. The Chung Pfost model had the best fit to the experimental data. Desorption and adsorption isotherms, represented by the Chung Pfost model, showed a sigmoidal shape, characteristic of type II curve. Equilibrium moisture content values obtained by desorption were higher than those obtained by adsorption, evidencing the hysteresis phenomenon.

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.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the thermodynamic properties of sorption processes (desorption and adsorption) of rice in the husk, cv. Urucuia. A static-gravimetric method was used to reach equilibrium moisture content at different temperatures (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 °C ± 1°C) and relative humidity levels (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 % ± 2%). A decrease in moisture content led to an increment of the integral isosteric heat of sorption, indicating a higher demand for energy to remove moisture from the product. Differential entropy of sorption decreased along with a moisture content increment, with higher values for desorption. This indicates a higher mobility of water molecules during desorption if compared to adsorption. Gibbs free energy decreased with increasing temperature in both processes, with positive values for desorption (endothermic process), and negative for adsorption (exothermic process). The enthalpy-entropy compensation theory is valid for both sorption phenomena (desorption and adsorption) of rice in the husk, being both processes enthalpy controlled.

RESUMO Sementes de Lactuca sativa são altamente sensíveis às condições edafoclimáticas; portanto, faz-se necessário armazená-las de forma segura e racional, a fim de manter suas características qualitativas e quantitativas. Estudos sobre a higroscopicidade têm a finalidade de amenizar possíveis alterações nos produtos agrícolas em determinadas condições climáticas. Dito isto, objetivou-se, neste trabalho, determinar o modelo matemático mais adequado para predizer as isotermas de dessorção de sementes de Lactuca sativa. O equilíbrio higroscópico foi alcançado por meio do método estático-gravimétrico, nas temperaturas de 10, 20, 30, 40 e 50 °C e atividade de água entre 0,11 e 0,96. Seis modelos matemáticos foram ajustados aos dados experimentais do teor de água de equilíbrio das sementes de Lactuca sativa. O modelo mais adequado foi escolhido considerando-se o coeficiente de determinação (R2), magnitude do erro médio relativo (MRE), desvio padrão da estimativa (SE) e análise de distribuição de resíduos. O modelo de Oswin Modificado foi o que melhor representou a higroscopicidade de sementes de Lactuca sativa, apresentando valores de 8,02% e 0,55 de MRE e SE, respectivamente, e distribuição aleatória dos resíduos. As curvas isotérmicas de sementes de Lactuca sativa estimadas pelo modelo Oswin Modificado apresentaram formato sigmoidal, característica de curva do tipo II.

ABSTRACT Lactuca sativa seeds are highly sensitive to climate conditions; thus, they should be stored securely to maintain their qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Studies on hygroscopicity aim to decrease possible changes in agricultural products under specific environmental conditions. Accordingly, this study aims to develop an appropriate mathematical model to represent the desorption isotherms of Lactuca sativa seeds. The hygroscopic equilibrium was achieved using a static-gravimetric method at temperatures of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C and water activity in the range 0.11-0.96. Six mathematical models were fitted to the experimental data of the equilibrium moisture content of Lactuca sativa seeds. The best model was chosen based on the determination coefficient (R2), magnitude of mean relative error (MRE), standard deviation of the estimate (SDE), and analysis of residue distribution. The modified Oswin model best represented the hygroscopicity of the Lactuca sativa seeds, with values of 8.02% and 0.55 for the MRE and SDE, respectively; moreover, the residual values were randomly distributed. The shape of the isotherms of the Lactuca sativa seeds estimated using the modified Oswin model is sigmoidal, which is characteristic of a type II curve.