Water Diffusivity and Drying Kinetics of Air Drying of Figs

The aim of this study is to evaluate experimentally the effective diffusion coefficient and the drying kinetics of whole unpeeled figs (Ficus carica L. var. tsapela) in terms of drying conditions. Estimation of the effective diffusion coefficient was carried out employing Fick's law for unsteady diffusion, which was solved analytically and numerically. In both methods, shrinkage effect was considered. The results from the two methods were compared and presented together with the limited results from the literature. The estimated effective diffusion coefficient values by both methods were fitted to a modified Arrhenius equation. Finally, a model predicting drying kinetics was developed. The model's coefficients were associated to the experimental conditions.