Quality of Soybean Seeds after Microwave Drying

Abstract

The use of electromagnetic energy for drying seeds has been shown to be a promising alternative. However, studies show that the technique still lacks careful evaluation due to the sensitivity of soybean seeds to damage caused using microwaves. Studies have shown that the use of microwaves during drying can be safe in seeds of soybeans, corn, and beans, among others. These studies recognize that drying using microwaves has a great potential for savings in the drying process, as it considerably reduces the drying time. This work aimed to evaluate the immediate damage caused in soybean seeds subjected to drying at temperatures of 40, 50, and 60 °C, with power of 0, 0.5, and 1 W/g at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The results of the vigor and germination tests showed that the action of microwaves on seeds was not only safe and more efficient but also brought about increases in seed germination and vigor. However, the process must be judicious and obey precise indices of power and temperature to not cause damage to the seeds.