Secagem solar de folhas de hortelã orgânico: uma alternativa para o pequeno produtor.

Abstract

Mentha x villosa is a medicinal and aromatic plant cultivated in Brazil, being very used by the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries. Dehydration is one of the most used conservation process for its preservation, because it has to minimize losses in the content and composition of active principles, after the moment of harvest starts a degradation process due to increased enzymatic activity. The solar drying is a method commonly used by small rural farmers, mainly due to low cost of production. Considering the above the present paper has the objective of evaluating the kinetic of drying organic mint leaves. The leaves were dehydrated in two stages, the solar dryer was exposed to the sun and in the shade, as well as adjusting mathematical models of Page, Newton, Thompson, Henderson and Pabis, Midilli, Two terms, Diffusion proximity and Logarithmic experimental data. By analyzing the results it was found that the kinetics of drying the organic mint leaves with solar dryer when exposed in the sun and in the shade, can be represented with great precision by the Midilli model.