Evaluation of new parboiled rice process using humidified hot air fluidized bed drying

This study aims to experimentally investigate the drying characteristics and quality of a paddy dried by hot air (HA) and humidified hot air (HHA) fluidization technique. Qualities such as head rice yield (HRY), white belly, degree of gelatinization (DSG), and color of dried paddy were evaluated. A paddy with an initial moisture content of 14% d.b. was soaked in hot water at a temperature of 70?°C for 5?h then dried at a temperature of 130,150, and 170?°C, relative humidity in the range of 0.3–12%, an air velocity of 3.9 m/s, and a bed height of 10?cm. The results showed that the drying time of the paddy in the HHA condition took longer than the HA drying condition. Because HHA provided a higher grain temperature and a slow rate of drying, the degree of starch gelatinization was significantly higher when compared to HA. The subsequent HRY was relatively higher than using HA drying. However, the color of the sample obtained from the HHA condition was relatively browner, but the parboiled rice product still had a light brown color for the drying temperature range used in this study. To produce parboiled rice, HHA could be operated up to the temperature of 170?°C, relative humidity of 6%, and DOM of 10%.     

Study on quality attributes and drying kinetics of instant parboiled rice fortified with turmeric using hot air and microwave-assisted hot air drying

Abstract

This study investigated the quality and drying kinetics of instant parboiled rice fortified with turmeric (IPRFT) by using hot air (HA) and microwave-assisted hot air (MWHA) drying. The cooked long grain parboiled rice (LGPR) fortified with turmeric was dried with HA at temperatures of 65, 80, 95, and 110?°C. The microwave power density of 0.588 Wg^?1 was incorporated for drying with MWHA. Drying was performed until the dried IPRFT reached 16% (d.b.) of moisture content. The quality of the dried IPRFT was evaluated in terms of color, total phenolics content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), rehydration ratio, volume expansion ratio, texture and microstructure. The results showed that the incorporation of microwave power with HA drying helped to reduce the drying time by 50% compared to conventional HA drying. A prediction of the moisture ratio by using the Page model provided the best R² and RMSE in drying kinetics. The drying conditions had small effects on the color, TPC, TAC, and microstructure of the dried IPFRT. The rehydration ratio, volume expansion ratio and texture of the rehydrated IPFRT showed minimal variations from changes in the drying conditions. The TPC and TAC of the dried IPRFT clearly increased compared to the TPC and TAC of the initial LGPR.     

Effects of Germination Process and Drying Temperature on Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and Starch Digestibility of Germinated Brown Rice

In this work, germination method, germination time, and drying temperature were investigated for their effects on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and starch digestibility. The germination method and germination time influenced the GABA and dietary fiber contents as well as starch and glucose, but both factors did not provide a faster hydrolysis of starch for germinated brown rice because of the dietary fiber. When the germinated samples were dried by a hot-air fluidized bed dryer at 130 or 150°C, the GABA content was not decreased and the amylose-lipid complexes occurred. Dissociation temperature of the complexes was given in a range of 100–117°C, which was lower than that of complexes in the non-germinated paddy. Thus, the amylose-lipid complexes in the germinated samples obtained at high temperature lost some crystalline structure when cooked by the boiling method. The corresponding rate of starch hydrolysis or glycemic index of the germinated samples changed insignificantly from that of the shade-dried germinated sample or non-germinated brown rice which was dried in shade.     

Change of mechanical properties related to starch gelatinization and moisture content of rice kernel during fluidized bed drying

Rice fissuring during the drying process is a major problem affecting rice quality. To alleviate this critical issue, it is necessary to understand the change of mechanical properties and the drying kinetics of paddy during drying. The objective of this work is therefore to study the drying characteristics and changes of mechanical properties, i.e., breaking force (F), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and apparent modulus of elasticity (AMOE) during fluidized bed drying. Suphanburi 1 paddy variety with three initial moisture contents (Mi) of 29.5, 30.2, and 42.8% dry basis was used as the raw material, which was dried at drying air temperatures (Ta) of 110, 130, and 150?°C. A three-point bending method was used for testing the mechanical properties with a texture analyzer. The experimental results showed that the breaking force and the ultimate tensile strength of paddy during drying were more strengthened with higher drying temperatures and higher initial moisture content while its apparent modulus of elasticity was changed only with the moisture content. However, both operating parameters positively affected the apparent modulus of elasticity when evaluated at a 16% dry basis. The maximum changes in F, UTS, and AMOE concerning the initial moisture content were 25.1, 25.2, and 19.5%, respectively. Besides, the maximum changes in F, UTS, and AMOE concerning drying temperatures during drying were 14.2, 14.3, and 13.5%, respectively. The improvement of the mechanical properties could be attributed to the starch gelatinization of which the degree was higher in cases of higher initial moisture content and higher drying temperatures. The empirical models of ultimate tensile strength and apparent modulus of elasticity were developed and related to intermediate moisture content and the degree of starch gelatinization.     

Effect of Fluidized Bed Drying Temperature on Various Quality Attributes of Paddy

Abstract

As reported by many researchers, it was found that fluidized bed paddy drying using high drying air temperatures of over 100°C affected the head rice yield and whiteness of dried rice. However, only a few studies on fluidized bed paddy drying with drying air temperatures below 100°C were so far reported. The main objective of this work was therefore to study the effect of fluidized bed drying air temperature on various quality parameters of Suphanburi 1 and Pathumthani 1 Indica rice. Paddy was dried from the initial moisture contents of 25.0, 28.8, and 32.5% dry basis to 22.5 ± 1.2% dry basis using inlet drying air temperatures between 40 and 150°C at 10°C/step. After fluidized bed drying, paddy was tempered and followed by ambient air aeration until its final moisture content was reduced to 16.3 ± 0.5% dry basis. The results showed that the head rice yield of Suphanburi 1 was significantly related to the inlet drying temperature and initial moisture content whilst there was no significant relationship between the head rice yield, drying temperature and initial moisture content for Pathumthani 1. The whiteness of the two rice varieties was slightly decreased with increase in drying air temperature and initial moisture content. It was also found that the hardness of both cooked rice varieties exhibited insignificant difference (p < 0.05) comparing to rewetted rice, which was gently dried by ambient air aeration in thin layer. The thermal analysis by DSC also showed that partial gelatinization occurred during drying at higher temperatures. Using inlet drying air temperatures in the range of 40–150°C therefore did not affected the quality of cooked rice and paddy. The milling quality of paddy was also well maintained.     

Quality Attributes of Germinated High-Amylose and Waxy Rice in Superheated Steam and Hot Air Drying

In this work, the effects of amylose content, drying medium, and drying temperature on the fissure, texture, and glycemic index of germinated paddy (GP) were investigated. The amylose content, drying temperature, and drying medium affected the degree of starch gelatinization and percentage of fissure kernels significantly. Hot air drying at 130 and 150°C insignificantly influenced the hardness of Phitsanulok 2 GP with high amylose content after cooking compared to that of shade-dried GP, and the drying temperatures significantly affected the hardness and stickiness of RD6 GP without amylose content. Superheated steam drying caused a significant change in textural properties for both paddy varieties because of complete starch gelatinization. The high-amylose paddy had higher gamma-aminobutyric acid and lower glycemic index than nonamylose paddy. Drying temperature and drying media did not change the gamma-aminobutyric acid and glycemic index of both GP varieties in comparison to their shade-dried samples.     

Experiments on In-Store Paddy Drying Under Tropical Climate: Simulation and Product Quality

The main objective of this work is to study the rice whiteness and paddy qualities of rice in terms of hardness, stickiness, cohesiveness, and germination of rice. The prediction results of moisture content and whiteness are compared with the experimental results using a near-equilibrium drying model, which is modified by including whiteness kinetics of rice kernel. The long grain rice (Suphanburi 1 high amylose indica variety), which consists of 27% amylose was used for all experiments. The experiments were carried out at the average ambient temperature range of 28.6-30.8°C, average relative humidity of 65.2-80.6% with a fixed bed depth of 1.0 m. Specific air flow rates of 0.65 and 0.93 m³/min-m³ of paddy were forced continuously through the paddy bulk at initial moisture contents of 18.5% and 20.1% wet basis, respectively. The desired final moisture content of paddy is about 13.3 ± 0.6% wet basis. The results show that drying rate and the whiteness predictions are in good agreement with those from the experiments. The in-store drying using ambient air condition did not produce notable effect on the rice whiteness, head rice yield, and the percentage of paddy germination. However, the hardness, stickiness, and cohesiveness of rice were changed.     

Improving head rice yield of glutinous rice by novel parboiling process

Most commercial parboiled rice is produced from high-amylose content rice. Glutinous rice, which is lacking in amylose content, is generally consumed in Southeast Asian countries. Rare study of parboiling glutinous rice has been observed. In this study, glutinous rice was improved in head rice yield by a novel parboiling process. Two rough glutinous rice, rice department 6 (RD6) and black glutinous rice (BGR) cultivars, were soaked in hot water at 70?±?5°C for 3?h. The ricer 3moisture content after soaking was 50–52% (d.b.), it was dried with hot air and superheated steam (SHS) at 110, 130, and 150°C in a fluidized bed dryer. The results show that SHS at all drying temperatures can improve the high head rice yield in both parboiled glutinous rice cultivars better than hot air drying. Higher temperature drying caused L* value to decrease but the b* value increases in RD6, whereas in BGR, all color values decreased and ΔE* was increased when the drying temperature increased. Increasing drying temperature presented a softer texture of both glutinous rice cultivars. Upper 130°C, completed gelatinization of both varieties can be obtained and seen by scanning electron microscope and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). This technique of using high-temperature fluidized bed drying can produce completely parboiled glutinous rice in a single process instead of two conventional processes, steaming and drying, in series.     

EFFECTS OF DRYING ON HEAD RICE YIELD USING FLUIDIZATION TECHNIQUE

ABSTRACT

Experimental results of fluidized bed paddy drying using high inlet air temperatures (140 and 150 °C) showed that head rice yield could be increased to a maximum value at a range of paddy final moisture contents of 19 to 22 % wet-basis. In case of reducing moisture content of paddy to lower than 19 % wet-basis, head rice yield of tempered paddy was higher than that of no-tempered one. Initial moisture contents of paddy that could increase head rice yield were in a range of 23 to 31 % wet-basis. As initial moisture content increased head rice yield increased. Whiteness of dried paddy was mostly accepted. However, if tempering temperature was higher than 60 °C, it may cause the problems for trade.     

Experiments on In-Store Paddy Drying Under Tropical Climate: Simulation and Product Quality

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to study the rice whiteness and paddy qualities of rice in terms of hardness, stickiness, cohesiveness, and germination of rice. The prediction results of moisture content and whiteness are compared with the experimental results using a near-equilibrium drying model, which is modified by including whiteness kinetics of rice kernel. The long grain rice (Suphanburi 1 high amylose indica variety), which consists of 27% amylose was used for all experiments. The experiments were carried out at the average ambient temperature range of 28.6–30.8°C, average relative humidity of 65.2–80.6% with a fixed bed depth of 1.0 m. Specific air flow rates of 0.65 and 0.93 m³/min-m³ of paddy were forced continuously through the paddy bulk at initial moisture contents of 18.5% and 20.1% wet basis, respectively. The desired final moisture content of paddy is about 13.3 ± 0.6% wet basis. The results show that drying rate and the whiteness predictions are in good agreement with those from the experiments. The in-store drying using ambient air condition did not produce notable effect on the rice whiteness, head rice yield, and the percentage of paddy germination. However, the hardness, stickiness, and cohesiveness of rice were changed.     

Influence of hot air fluidized bed drying on quality changes of purple rice

The influence of drying using a fluidization technique on the quality of purple rice was investigated in this study. The results demonstrated that the initial moisture of rice was 28.3% dry basis (db). Compared to the sun-dried or reference purple rice samples, the influence of drying at temperatures ranging from 100 to 150°C did not affect the quality of color, anthocyanin content, total phenolic content, or antioxidant activity. At this initial moisture level, samples should be dried at 150°C air because such temperatures yield the highest drying rate. Drying at this temperature also causes an increase in the head purple rice yield because of the gelatinization of starch. In the case of an initial moisture content of 33.3% (db), the drying temperature should not exceed 130°C.     

Effects of germination time and drying temperature on drying characteristics and quality of germinated paddy

Germination time and drying temperature are very important parameters affecting the quality of the germinated paddy (GP) since the microstructure of starch granules is modified during germination. The experimental results showed that the germination time increasing from 60 to 68 h provided more loosely-packed starch granules, lower hardness of cooked GP, higher γ-aminobutyric acid content (GABA) and larger number of fissured GP after drying. However, the modified microstructure did not cause a difference between drying curves at each germination time. Prediction results of the moisture content from the two-layer model were in good agreement with the experimental results and also showed that the effective moisture diffusion coefficient values of husk were significantly lower than those of germinated brown rice. Drying at a higher drying temperature could reduce the number of fissured GP more significantly. The hardness of cooked GP samples and their GABA contents obtained from drying temperatures changed insignificantly from that of the shade-dried GP. The sensory analysis results revealed that the texture of GP was better than that of the rice without germination and the longer germination time provided the adverse effect on the fermentation odour and texture.     

DRYING OF SLICED RAW POTATOES IN SUPERHEATED STEAM AND HOT AIR

Drying experiments were conducted on raw potato slices, using atmospheric pressure superheated steam and hot air as drying media at 170 and 240°C. Mass changes of the material were continuously measured, the conditions of cross section near the surfaces were observed with an electron microscope, also color changes of their surface were measured during drying. The respective drying methods and temperature conditions were compared and it was found that, in the case of superheated steam drying, moisture content temporarily increases due to steam condensation in the initial stage of drying, therewith, as well as starch gelatinization rapidly develops. Meanwhile, in case of hot air drying, starch gelatinization occurs more slowly than with superheated steam drying and that non-gelatinized starch granules remain on the surface when drying was completed. Furthermore, surface color measurements showed that samples dried by superheated steam were more reddish than ones dried by hot air and the surfaces were more glossy, because no starch granules remain on the surface in case of superheated steam drying.     

DRYING OF SLICED RAW POTATOES IN SUPERHEATED STEAM AND HOT AIR

Drying experiments were conducted on raw potato slices, using atmospheric pressure superheated steam and hot air as drying media at 170 and 240°C. Mass changes of the material were continuously measured, the conditions of cross section near the surfaces were observed with an electron microscope, also color changes of their surface were measured during drying. The respective drying methods and temperature conditions were compared and it was found that, in the case of superheated steam drying, moisture content temporarily increases due to steam condensation in the initial stage of drying, therewith, as well as starch gelatinization rapidly develops. Meanwhile, in case of hot air drying, starch gelatinization occurs more slowly than with superheated steam drying and that non-gelatinized starch granules remain on the surface when drying was completed. Furthermore, surface color measurements showed that samples dried by superheated steam were more reddish than ones dried by hot air and the surfaces were more glossy, because no starch granules remain on the surface in case of superheated steam drying.     

Rapid Drying of Parboiled Paddy Using Hot Air Impinging Stream Dryer

A method for rapid drying of parboiled paddy via the use of an impinging stream dryer was proposed and assessed. The effects of the drying air temperature, number of drying cycles, as well as time of tempering between each drying cycle on the moisture reduction, head rice yield, and whiteness index of the dried parboiled paddy were studied. The drying experiments were carried out at drying air temperatures of 130, 150, and 170°C; inlet air velocity of 20 m/s; impinging distance of 5 cm; and paddy feed rate of 40 kg_{dry_paddy}/h. Parboiled paddy was dried for up to seven cycles. Between each drying cycle the parboiled paddy was tempered for a period of either 0 (no tempering), 15, 30, 60, or 120 min. After impinging stream drying, paddy was ventilated by ambient air flow until its moisture content reached 16% (db). Moisture reduction of the paddy was noted to depend on both the impinging stream drying temperature and tempering time. Drying at a high temperature along with tempering for a suitable period of time could maintain the head rice yield of the paddy at a level similar to that of the reference parboiled paddy. To avoid discoloration and low head rice yield, parboiled paddy should not be dried at a temperature higher than 150°C and should be tempered for at least 30 min.     

Effect of airflow rate on drying air and moisture content profiles inside a cross-flow drying column

Rice at 20.5 and 16.3% initial moisture contents (IMCs) was dried using 57°C/13% RH air at airflow rates (Qs) of 0.36, 0.46, and 0.56 (m³/s)/m² for 30, 60, and 90?min, respectively, in an experimentally simulated cross-flow drying column. Q significantly affected the drying air and rice moisture content profiles within the drying column; for a particular drying duration, the range of MCs within the column decreased as Q increased. Q also impacted the extents of intra-kernel material state gradients created and thus had potential impacts on kernel fissuring and consequent head rice yield reduction. In addition, the impact of Q on the above-mentioned profiles was dependent on the rice IMC.     

Germinated Brown Rice Drying by Hot Air Fluidization Technique

Germinated brown rice containing moisture content of 52% dry basis (db) needs to be dried in a reasonable time in order to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Fluidized bed drying is a possible method because this drying technique provides a high mass and heat transfer rate and high-temperature drying can be used. However, such a high-performance dryer may affect the quality of the finished product. The effect of fluidized bed drying temperatures (90, 110, 130, and 150°C) on the quality of germinated brown rice, that is, cooked rice textural property, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level, fissured grain, and microorganisms was therefore investigated. The germinated brown rice was dried to the moisture contents of 18–20% (db), tempered for 30 min, and ventilated by ambient air until the sample moisture content reached 13–15% (db). The experimental results showed that the drying rate increased with increasing drying temperature. The high drying rate, in particular drying at 130°C or higher, caused severe fissuring on the kernel and this fissuring subsequently affected the cooked rice shape and textural property of rice; that is, hardness. The GABA contents of germinated brown rice insignificantly changed with drying temperatures and did not depend on the rice varieties. The populations of attached bacteria, yeast, and mold on the surface of the dried samples were less than 10⁴ colony-forming units (CFU)/g, which is safe for food.     

Effect of Four Drying Methods on the Quality of Osmotically Dehydrated Cranberries

Partially dehydrated cranberries (osmotically dehydrated) were dried to low water contents using one of following four methods: hot air drying; microwave-assisted convective drying; freeze-drying; and vacuum drying. Quality evaluation was performed on all samples, including sensory evaluation (appearance and taste), texture, color, water activity, and rehydration ratio. Hot air drying produced dried cranberries with the best visual appearance while freeze-dried cranberries had the highest rehydration ratio. The other methods presented similar rehydration ratios. There was no significant difference in color measurements and water activity. Few differences in texture were found, except for freeze-dried cranberries, which had a lower toughness compared to the other drying methods including commercially available dried cranberries. Microwave-assisted to hot air drying rate ratios increased as the moisture content decreased.     

Comparative Evaluation of Hot-Air and Superheated-Steam Impinging Stream Drying as Novel Alternatives for Paddy Drying

An investigation was conducted on impinging stream drying of moist paddy using hot air and superheated steam as the drying media. Drying experiments were divided into two parts: namely, one-pass and two-pass drying. The volumetric water evaporation rate, volumetric heat transfer coefficient, and specific energy consumption of the drying system at various conditions were assessed; in the case of superheated-steam drying, the effect of steam recycle was also assessed. The quality of dried paddy was evaluated in terms of color, head rice yield, and degree of starch gelatinization. In the case of one-pass drying, an increase in the drying temperature led to a significant increase in the volumetric water evaporation rate and volumetric heat transfer coefficient. On the other hand, in the case of two-pass drying, an increase in the drying temperature led to a significant decrease in the volumetric heat transfer coefficient; the volumetric water evaporation rate was not significantly affected, however. The specific energy consumption decreased with an increase in the drying temperature. At the same temperature, using superheated steam as the drying medium led to lower specific energy consumption; higher level of steam recycle also led to more energy conservation. The color of the dried paddy was not affected by the change in the drying temperature; superheated-steam-dried paddy was redder and more yellow than the hot-air-dried paddy. An increase in the drying temperature led to decreased percentage of head rice yield. Superheated-steam drying helped enhance the level of starch gelatinization in comparison with hot-air drying at the same temperature. Nevertheless, drying at the highest tested temperature led to a lower level of starch gelatinization.     

DEHUMIDIFICATION DRYING OF HIGH-MOISTURE ROUGH RICE IN A RADIAL-FLOW, CIRCULAR BIN

An experimental radial-flow, circular bin dryer with a dehumidifier was fabricated and tested for rough rice drying. Results showed that high-moisture paddy could be dried to 14% moisture content (wet basis) over a 24 h drying span at an average drying rate of 0.5%/h. The open-cycle system's specific moisture extraction rate and the dehumidifier's coefficient of performance were within the usual range of values cited for similar conventional systems or equipment. The quality of the dehumidifier-dried and naturally dried paddy was similar with respect to minimum grain Assuring, The system was found to be a technically feasible, more energy-efficient and safer alternative to electrical resistance heating in the conditioning of ambient air for drying under humid tropical conditions.