Effect of some physical and chemical properties of oilseeds on drying kinetics parameters

Physical and chemical characteristics of Argentine varieties of high oleic, confectionery and oil-type sunflower seeds, soybean and rapeseed were studied in relation to drying kinetics. Page equation provided the best fit to the data. A significant difference was found in half time response between soybean and the other oilseeds. Diffusivity was positively correlated with the size of the seed (r(2)=0.969) and negatively (r(2)=0.876) with the true density independently of the oil content. Half time response tended to increase with oil content according to the grain structure. Lower true density, equivalent diameter and oil seed content were detected in high oleic sunflower varieties with respect to the traditional ones, although a similar behaviour respect drying kinetics was observed. Confectionery sunflower showed the largest size but high diffusivity and low drying rate was obtained. Rapeseed drying behaviour was similar to sunflower varieties with low oil content and high true density.