Effect of drying methods on the moisture sorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of mint leaves

Mint leaves were dried by three different types of dryers, namely; tray, freeze and distributed (indirect)-type solar dryer. Sorption isotherms of fresh, solar, tray and freeze dried mint were determined at temperatures of 15 degrees C, 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C over a range of relative humidities (10-90%). The effect of drying method on the water sorption isotherms of dried mint samples was evaluated. Experimental data were used to determine the best models for predicting the moisture sorption content of mint. Among nine sorption models tested, Peleg, GAB, Lewicki and modified Mizrahi equations gave the best fit to experimental data. The sorption data were analyzed for determination of monolayer moisture content, density of sorbed water, number of adsorbed monolayers, percent bound water, and surface area of adsorbance. The experimental data were also used to determine some thermodynamic properties of mint.