Drying kinetics of whole durum wheat pasta according to temperature and relative humidity

Drying kinetics of bran-free and bran-rich pasta (whole durum) was determined according to temperature (40, 60 or 80 °C) and relative humidity (65%, 75% or 85%). Compared to temperature, relative humidity in drying chamber had a greater effect on pasta effective moisture diffusivity (α < 0.01), and both parameters responded to a modified Arrhenius-type equation. Activation energy of pasta (11.4 kJ mol-1) was lower than reported in the literature. Bran changed the course of pasta drying, depending on temperature and relative humidity. When relative humidity was higher than 75%, effective moisture diffusivity of bran-rich pasta decreased but the reverse was observed below 75%. Above 76 °C, equilibrium moisture content of bran-rich pasta was higher than bran-free pasta. In conclusion, optimal drying conditions for bran-rich pasta were different than standard (bran-free) pasta. Close control of relative humidity in pasta drying unit would be critical, especially under high relative humidity and high temperature conditions. © 2006 Swiss Society of Food Science and Technology.