Journal ID : AMA-09-03-2024-12937
[This article belongs to Volume - 55, Issue - 03]
Total View : 358

Title : Determination of Drying kinetics and Cellulose content of Punica Granatum L. Peels

Abstract :

The pomegranate tree, scientifically known as Punica granatum L., belongs to the Punicaceae family and yields a fruit widely consumed for its traditional and medicinal properties. Peels of pomegranate are highly nutritios but go waste and unutilized. So, a study was conducted to determine the drying kinetics and cellulose content of Punica Granatum L. Peels. Page model was used for drying kinetics. It was found suitable for the three drying temperatures viz. 50, 60 and 70°C, respectively. Page model parameters n, ln K and co efficient of determination (R2) at 50, 60 and 70°C ranged from -0.415 to -0.490, 2.222 to 2.352 and 0.979 to 0.987, respectively. the surface area (s) and volume (v) of the peel slices were calculated to be 3 mm² and 1.5 mm³, respectively. The moisture diffusivity (D) value at drying temperatures of 50 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C was found to be 2.73 × 10-3 m2/s, 3.16 × 10-3 m2/s and 5.25 × 10-3 m2/s respectively. Activation energy (Ea) of the peel can be was found to be 39 kJ/mol. Cellulose content 50, 60 and 70°C varied from 542 to 695 mg/100g.

Full article