Mathematical modeling of sorption isotherms and the thermodynamic properties of vacuum-dried and freeze-dried Barhi dates

Abstract Studying the moisture sorption behavior of Barhi dates is key to enhancing their drying efficiency, packaging strategies, and storage conditions to ensure long-term stability and shelf-life. This research analyzed the sorption isotherms of vacuum-dried (VDBD) and freeze-dried Barhi dates (F...

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Main Authors: Mohamed Fikry, Saleh Al-Ghamdi, Bandar Alfaifi, Mansour N. Ibrahim, Nashi Alqahtani, Muhammad Umar, Kitipong Assatarakul
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01935-x
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author Mohamed Fikry
Saleh Al-Ghamdi
Bandar Alfaifi
Mansour N. Ibrahim
Nashi Alqahtani
Muhammad Umar
Kitipong Assatarakul
author_facet Mohamed Fikry
Saleh Al-Ghamdi
Bandar Alfaifi
Mansour N. Ibrahim
Nashi Alqahtani
Muhammad Umar
Kitipong Assatarakul
author_sort Mohamed Fikry
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Studying the moisture sorption behavior of Barhi dates is key to enhancing their drying efficiency, packaging strategies, and storage conditions to ensure long-term stability and shelf-life. This research analyzed the sorption isotherms of vacuum-dried (VDBD) and freeze-dried Barhi dates (FDBD) via a dynamic vapor sorption apparatus across different temperatures and a wide range of water activity levels. Various mathematical models were evaluated to determine their accuracy in predicting sorption behavior, and the thermodynamic properties of sorption were examined in relation to the equilibrium moisture content (Xe). The results demonstrated that VDBD and FDBD followed Type III adsorption and Type V desorption isotherms. Adsorption increased with increasing water activity, whereas desorption displayed the opposite trend, with significant hysteresis between the two processes. The Peleg model provided a precise fit for both the adsorption and desorption isotherms across all the tested conditions. To maintain safe storage at the studied temperatures and 50% relative humidity, the recommended moisture content was 5% for VDBD and 9%. for FDBD. Additionally, the net isosteric heat of sorption (Qst), differential entropy (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) exhibited inverse correlations with Xe, increasing as the moisture content decreased during sorption. These thermodynamic parameters were effectively modeled as functions of Xe, indicating that both adsorption and desorption were nonspontaneous processes. This study provides critical insights for food processors to refine drying protocols and establish optimal storage conditions for VDBD and FDBD, ultimately preserving quality and preventing microbial contamination.
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spelling doaj-art-3c828778fd8c41d8828cb683658b60da2025-08-20T03:25:19ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-01935-xMathematical modeling of sorption isotherms and the thermodynamic properties of vacuum-dried and freeze-dried Barhi datesMohamed Fikry0Saleh Al-Ghamdi1Bandar Alfaifi2Mansour N. Ibrahim3Nashi Alqahtani4Muhammad Umar5Kitipong Assatarakul6Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn UniversityDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud UniversityDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud UniversityDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud UniversityDate Palm Research Center of Excellence, King Faisal UniversityDepartment of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn UniversityDepartment of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn UniversityAbstract Studying the moisture sorption behavior of Barhi dates is key to enhancing their drying efficiency, packaging strategies, and storage conditions to ensure long-term stability and shelf-life. This research analyzed the sorption isotherms of vacuum-dried (VDBD) and freeze-dried Barhi dates (FDBD) via a dynamic vapor sorption apparatus across different temperatures and a wide range of water activity levels. Various mathematical models were evaluated to determine their accuracy in predicting sorption behavior, and the thermodynamic properties of sorption were examined in relation to the equilibrium moisture content (Xe). The results demonstrated that VDBD and FDBD followed Type III adsorption and Type V desorption isotherms. Adsorption increased with increasing water activity, whereas desorption displayed the opposite trend, with significant hysteresis between the two processes. The Peleg model provided a precise fit for both the adsorption and desorption isotherms across all the tested conditions. To maintain safe storage at the studied temperatures and 50% relative humidity, the recommended moisture content was 5% for VDBD and 9%. for FDBD. Additionally, the net isosteric heat of sorption (Qst), differential entropy (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) exhibited inverse correlations with Xe, increasing as the moisture content decreased during sorption. These thermodynamic parameters were effectively modeled as functions of Xe, indicating that both adsorption and desorption were nonspontaneous processes. This study provides critical insights for food processors to refine drying protocols and establish optimal storage conditions for VDBD and FDBD, ultimately preserving quality and preventing microbial contamination.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01935-xBarhi dateDryingDynamic vapor sorption isothermsMathematical modelingThermodynamic properties
spellingShingle Mohamed Fikry
Saleh Al-Ghamdi
Bandar Alfaifi
Mansour N. Ibrahim
Nashi Alqahtani
Muhammad Umar
Kitipong Assatarakul
Mathematical modeling of sorption isotherms and the thermodynamic properties of vacuum-dried and freeze-dried Barhi dates
Scientific Reports
Barhi date
Drying
Dynamic vapor sorption isotherms
Mathematical modeling
Thermodynamic properties
title Mathematical modeling of sorption isotherms and the thermodynamic properties of vacuum-dried and freeze-dried Barhi dates
title_full Mathematical modeling of sorption isotherms and the thermodynamic properties of vacuum-dried and freeze-dried Barhi dates
title_fullStr Mathematical modeling of sorption isotherms and the thermodynamic properties of vacuum-dried and freeze-dried Barhi dates
title_full_unstemmed Mathematical modeling of sorption isotherms and the thermodynamic properties of vacuum-dried and freeze-dried Barhi dates
title_short Mathematical modeling of sorption isotherms and the thermodynamic properties of vacuum-dried and freeze-dried Barhi dates
title_sort mathematical modeling of sorption isotherms and the thermodynamic properties of vacuum dried and freeze dried barhi dates
topic Barhi date
Drying
Dynamic vapor sorption isotherms
Mathematical modeling
Thermodynamic properties
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01935-x
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