Development of a Novel Image Analysis Technique to Detect the Moisture Diffusion of Soybeans [ Emphasis Type='Italic'>Glycine max/Emphasis> (L.)] During Rehydration Using a Mass Transfer Simulation Model

摘要

The change in the moisture content of soybeans during a rehydration process at 25?°C was investigated. Peleg’s equation was suitable for describing the soaking characteristics of the soybean with a R _(2)value of 0.98. The soaking time to achieve the target moisture content of soybeans (33.33%) was estimated to be 14.59?min by the Peleg model. The mass transfer coefficient ( k ) for the mass transfer simulation was determined with two calculation steps using the Omoto model and the simulation models. The most suitable k value for the simulation was determined to be 6.0?×?10_(?7)?m_(2)/s, which is higher than the apparent k value obtained from the Omoto model. The diffusion simulation for the internal diffusion of the soybean after soaking was conducted for 180?min and the cross-section of soybeans was analyzed using an image processing technique during the diffusion process. The image analysis detected a moving layer during the diffusion process and the moisture content at the layer was determined to be 32.08% (±?0.34) based on the results of the simulation model.