Modelling Water Absorption in Micronized Lentil Seeds with the Use of Peleg’s Equation

The aim of the paper was to investigate the effect of infrared pre-treatment on the process of water absorption by lentil seeds. The paper presents the effects of micronization on the process of water absorption by lentil seeds. As a source of infrared emission, 400-W ceramic infrared radiators ECS-1 were used. The seeds were soaked at three temperature values (in the range from 25 to 75 °C) for 8 h, that is, until the equilibrium moisture content was achieved. Peleg’s equation was used to describe the kinetics of water absorption by lentil seeds. The results were compared with those obtained in the process of soaking crude seeds. On the basis of the conducted research, it was found that the infrared pre-treatment contributed to a substantial increase in the water absorption rate in the initial period of soaking lentil seeds (especially at 25 °C). Infrared irradiation can be an effective method for intensification of lentil seed hydration at an ambient temperature. It should be assumed that, in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, shortening the heating time will significantly reduce the energy consumption and cost of processing lentil seeds.

Ultrasound-Assisted Rehydration of Dried Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) – Kinetics

Sea cucumbers are popular traditional tonic foods in Asia and the Middle East and are often dried for storage or sale. Rehydration of dried sea cucumber is a necessary step before further processing. The kinetics for ultrasound-assisted rehydration were mathematically described using mechanistic (Fick’s diffusion) and empirical (Peleg’s equation, Weibull model) models. The effective diffusivities of water transport with ultrasound were in the range of 0.182 mm2 min–1–0.197 mm2 min–1, which was greater than the value of the control, at 0.179 mm2 min–1, considering Fick’s diffusion. Peleg’s equation was concluded to be the best model to predict the ultrasound-assisted rehydration of dried sea cucumber. Its rehydration efficiency was increased 16-fold by ultrasound and rehydration time was reduced up to 45 h, the sea cucumbers did not show any negative effects on their texture properties after rehydration.

Analysis of Freeze-Drying and Rehydration of Açai (Euterpe oleracea Martius)

The freeze-drying rate is essentially low, since it is controlled by internal moisture diffusion. In addition, the application of vacuum and low temperature during the process presents a higher energy demand. Therefore, the search for new strategies to improve water mobility during freeze-drying constitutes a topic of relevant research. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of power ultrasound to improve freeze-drying characteristics of açai, quantifying the influence of the applied power on both the drying and rehydration kinetics of the material. Açai (Euterpe oleracea Martius) samples were sonicated with two different frequency levels, 20 kHz and 40 kHz, and two sonication times, 3 min and 10 min. Page’s equation considering internal and external resistances to mass transfer provided a good fit of freeze-drying kinetics, while the Peleg’s equation was found to be suitable for describing the rehydration kinetics of freeze-dried açai. Pretreatment of açai with ultrasound waves was not effective. Ultrasound-induced structural disruption in the açai skin hindered the mass transfer during both freeze-drying and rehydration processes.