Effect of drying air temperature on the physical properties of macauba kernels (Acrocomia aculeata)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of moisture and drying temperature on the physical properties of macauba kernels. The experiment was set up in a split-plot design, with drying temperature (60 degrees C, 70 degrees C, 80 degrees C, and 90 degrees C) assigned to the plots and moisture (4.3%, 5.3%, 6.0%, 7.0%, and 8.9% b.u.) assigned to the subplots, in completely randomized design (CRD) and four replications for the variable rho a. During the drying process, the geometric diameter, sphericity, roundness, projected and surface area, apparent specific mass, and total porosity were evaluated. These variables were analyzed according to drying temperature and moisture. Reducing the misture of macauba kernels led to an increase in geometric diameter and projected and surface area and to a reduction in geometric diameter, sphericity, roundness, and projected area and surface area. The linear model fitted well the geometric diameter, roundness, and projected area and surface area of the macauba kernels for all drying temperatures and moistures. The operations.