Prediction of Mathematical Models of the Drying Kinetics and Physicochemical Quality of the Chili Pepper

The present work had as objective to determine the kinetics of drying of the chili pepper, to adjust different mathematical models to the experimental values as a function of the water content and to characterize the same in it's in natura form and after the drying in the temperatures of 60, 70 and 80 °C. The samples were weighted periodically until reaching the equilibrium. The mathematical models of Wang and Singh, Henderson and Pabis, Newton, Page and Thompson were adjusted to the experimental data. The best adjustment was determined in relation to the highest values of the coefficient of determination (R2) and Mean Square Deviation (MSD). The obtained results showed that the drying of the pepper is influenced by the temperature of the drying air. It is concluded that the model of Henderson and Pabis was the one that best fit to the experimental data. The increase of the drying temperature promoted a reduction in the time required for the peppers to reach the moisture of the hygroscopic balance. The parameters of acidity, lipids and proteins remained close at the different drying temperatures used, however higher when compared to the samples in natura. It can be noticed that ashes and vitamin C have suffered considerable decrease as the temperature increased, as a result of the chemical transformations that occurred in the peppers due to heat exposure and loss of moisture.