Application of GAB and Henderson Model in Study of Moisture Sorption
Characteristics of White and Yellow Gari Sold in Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu
South-eastern States of Nigeria
Abstract
Moisture sorption characteristics of gari sold in Ebonyi, Enugu, and
Abia state were studied. The gari samples were coded thus; Abia white
gari sample (ABW), Abia yellow gari sample (ABY), Ebonyi white gari
sample (EBW), Ebonyi yellow gari sample (EBY), Enugu white gari sample
(ENW) and Enugu yellow gari sample (ENY), accordingly. The equilibrium
moisture content (EMC) was determined using a standard Gravimetric
method with tetraoxosulphate (VI) salt and water mixtures providing
equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) 15, 25,35, 45, 55 and 65 % to yield
a water activity (aw) range of 0.0972 - 0.9811 at 30, 40 and 50
oC for adsorption and desorption isotherm arms. The
sorption data generated were fitted into GAB and Handerson models. A
sigmoidal behaviour ( type II) was observed which is a typical attribute
of a dry carbohydrate dense food. There was a general increase in the
equilibrium moisture content (%) with increasing water activity. A
little difference was observed between the sorption behaviour of ABW,
EBW and ENW; ABY, EBY and ENY gari sample. The equilibrium moisture
content decreased with increase in temperature at constant water
activity. The goodness fit of the two models were determined using four
statistical parameters; coefficient of determination (r
2), root mean square error (RMSE), percentage mean
relative deviation modulus (%p) and chi square (x 2).
GAB model appeared as the most suitable model than Henderson model. EBW
and EBY gari samples proves to be of good shelf stability.