Higroscopic behavior of aerial parts of monkey pepper (Piper aduncum L.)

Desorption isotherms of monkey pepper were determined by static gravimetric method at temperatures 35, 45, and 55 ºC, over a relative humidity range of 5.5-81%. Three mathematical models were applied to analyse the experimental data. The modified GAB model showed the best adjustment of the experimental data. The isosteric heat and differential entropy were determined by applying Clausius-Clapeyron and Gibbs-Helmholtz equations, respectively. The isosteric heat and the entropy of desorption isotherm presented similar behavior. The enthalpy-entropy compensation theory was applied to the isotherms, indicating that the aerial parts desorption mechanism are enthalpy-controlled.

water activity; desorption isotherms; isosteric heat; thermodynamics