Kinetics Modelling of Moringa Oleifera Leaves using Microwave Drying

Abstract

The drying kinetics of (Moringa Oleifera) leaves were studied at various microwave power levels (300, 500, 800, and 1000 W) using an existing drying mathematical model. The best-fitted mathematical models of the drying curves were determined by considering the coefficient of determination (R2), SSE, and RMSE based on the experimental drying data of moringa leaves. For drying M. oleifera leaves, three out of six models exhibited the optimum drying behaviour with the highest R2 and lowest SSE and RMSE values, with R2, SSE, and RMSE values ranging from 0.92-0.98, 0.09-0.3, and 0.06-0.10, respectively. Besides, the effective moisture diffusivity of moringa oleifera leaves during microwave drying varied from 1.56 × 10-8 to 5.49 × 10-8 m2/s. The values of D0 and Ea from microwave drying of Moringa oleifera leaves were estimated as 9.0 x 10-8 m2/s and 17.53 W/g.