Experimental determination of thermophysical properties of unripe banana slices (Musa cavendishii) during convective drying.

Thermophysical properties and hygroscopic behavior of unripe banana ( Musa cavendishii ) were studied. The sorption isotherms were measured at 25 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C and the observed sigmoid curves were modeled with GAB equation which satisfactorily fitted the experimental data. The mean value of monolayer moisture content ( X m ) estimated was (5.5 ± 0.6) g/100 g d.b. Drying experiments were conducted at temperatures of 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C and the apparent density, specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity – were directly measured as a function of moisture content and porosity. Empirical models obtained by nonlinear regression were successfully fitted to the thermophysical properties, important data to model and simulate the drying process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]