Abstract :
In this work, 200 g of purslane leaves were dried from an initial moisture content of 75,21(±0,03) to %15(±0,07) (wet basis) by involving 5 different microwave powers. Drying periods were ranged from 104, 41, 31, 25, 18 min for 180, 360, 540, 720 and 900 W, respectively. The drying data were applied to nine different mathematical models, namely, Newton, Page, Henderson and Pabis, Logarithmic, Midilli-Kucuk, Wang and Singh, Logistic, Two Term, Verma, Two Term Exponential, Diffusion Approach Equation Models for determining moisture content. The performances of these models were compared according to the coefficient of determination (R^2), standard error of estimate (SEE) and the residual sum of squares (RSS), between the observed and predicted moisture ratios. It was found that the Midilli-Kucuk model described the drying curve better than other models for all drying methods.
