Numerical modeling of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) hydration: The effects of temperature and low pressure

AbstractChickpea is a leguminous that can be consumed both fresh and baked, and must be hydrated in both cases. The objective of this study was to discuss mathematical and numerical models, and also experimentally evaluate the process of water uptake in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) under different temperatures and pressures, determining the diffusion coefficient of water in the grains and the activation energy of the hydration process. The values for the diffusion coefficient ranged from 7.38×10-11 to 5.21×10-10m2s-1. The activation energy was determined at 36.040kJmol-1, the activation volume at -7.724×103cm3mol-1 and the constant value was 2.185×10-4. By comparing the experimental results with those obtained from the analytical solution of the theoretical model, there was a satisfactory fit of the model to the experimental data, and the hydration curves were plotted. A good adjustment of the numerical model, the model of Abu-Ghannam and the Peleg model was made to the experimental data. The Arrhenius–Eyring type equation was used to explain the dependency of the diffusion coefficient with the temperature and pressure in the hydration process

Desverdecimento e Conservação em Pós-Colheita de Frutos de Kunquat (Fortunella margarita, Swingle) em Resposta a Tratamentos com Ethephon e Cera

Este trabalho teve por finalidade verificar o efeito da aplicação de cera e de vários níveis de ethephon no desverdecimento e na conservação em pós-colheita de frutos de kunquat. Os frutos, colhidos no ponto de quebra de cor, foram tratados com soluções de ethephon a 250, 500 e 1000 ppm acrescidas de 0,3 ppm de Agral, ou encerados com Stafresh. Os frutos foram selecionados visualmente por tamanho e cor e após o tratamento, foram armazenados a temperatura ambiente (26°C ± 1°C, 50 a 60% UR). Foram feitas avaliações diárias quanto a perda de peso, textura, sólidos solúveis totais (°Brix), e degradação da clorofila. Todos os tratamentos com ethephon promoveram a degradação da clorofila. A taxa de desverdecimento aumentou proporcionalmente ao aumento na concentração de ethephon. O uso da cera reduziu tanto a perda de massa quanto a taxa de desverdecimento. Não houve diferenças na textura ou no °Brix dos frutos tratados em relação ao controle. Não foi verificada alteração nas características organolépticas dos frutos tratados tanto com ethephon quanto com Stafresh.<br>This work was carried out to verify the effect of waxing and ethephon levels on postharvest conservation and degreening of kunquat fruits. Fruits harvested at the color break stage were treated with ethephon solutions at 250, 500 and 1000 ppm + 0.3 ppm Agral, or waxed with Stafresh. Fruits were visually selected for size and color, and after the treatment were stored at room temperature (26°C ± 1°C, 50 to 60% RH). Fruits were daily evaluated for weight loss, texture, total soluble solids (°Brix), and chlorophyll degradation. All ethephon treatments were effective in promoting chlorophyll breakdown. The rate of degreening increased proportionally to the increase in ethephon concentration. Waxing reduced both weight loss and the rate of degreening. There were no differences in both texture and °Brix for treated fruits in relation to control. No off-flavor was noticed in fruits treated with either ethephon or Stafresh