Abstract

Spirulina platensis is a blue-green multicellular photosynthetic cyanobacterium and it is used in many countries as human and animal feed. The aim of this work is to determine and set kinetics drying for S. platensis at different temperatures (30, 40, 50 and 60°C). A completely randomized design was adopted and the treatments were the drying temperatures. S. platensis was furnished by the company, Brasil Vital, located in Anápolis – Goiás. The initial water content from the product was determined according to analytical norm from Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The product was subjected to drying in a heater at temperatures of 30, 40, 50 and 60°C. The samples were placed on stainless steel removable trays with background screen; they consisted of three replications. The temperature and relative humidity from the air in the environment were monitored with a thermo-hygrometer. During the process of drying, the trays with samples were periodically weighed to obtain a constant weight. Afterwards, the math models were set on the experimental drying data, using Statistica 12.0 software. The criteria for the selection of the estimative statistics were: R² close to 100%, P < 10% and SE close to zero. The effective diffusion coefficient was obtained from the mathematical model of liquid diffusion. One can conclude that the necessary time for S. platensis to reach constant weight was 7.00, 4.58, 3.83, and 3.25 h, at temperatures of 30, 40, 50, and 60°C, respectively. The recommended model used to predict the drying phenomenon for S. platensis was the Midilli Mathematical model at temperatures of 30, 40, and 50°C, and the model Approach of Diffusion at temperature of 60°C. The diffusion coefficient increased with increased temperature; its values were from 3.343 × 10^-8 to 14.881 × 10^-8 m² s^-1 at temperature ranging from 30 to 60°C. It activates energy for liquid diffusion at 39.52 kJ.mol^-1.

Key words: Post-harvest, water content, microalgae.