Best-fitted mathematical model to represent the moisture desorption characteristics of whole limes

Abstract

Three commonly cited models for drying of agricultural products i.e. Page, Approximate form of diffusion, and Exponential were compared for their ability to the fit the experimental drying data of whole limes based on the root mean square error of estimate (RMSE) of the measured and simulated moisture contents. The comparison shows the Page model is the most suitable model having average RMSE = 0.046 wet-basis (decimal) while the Approximate form of diffusion and the Exponential models have 0.132  and 0.128 wet-basis (decimal),  respectively. This indicated that the Approximate form of diffusion and the Exponential models both have less fitting ability then the  Page model for the entire period (> 7 days) of drying in 30 tests at different combinations of temperatures (35 - 80⁰C) and relative humidities (12.5 – 33.5%). The Page model was found to be most suitable equation, to describe the drying  characteristics of whole mature limes over a typically seven day drying. The Page  models can be used for the simulation of bulk volume of whole limes occurring during ventilated storage as commonly used in the middle east region.