Thermodynamics of moisture sorption in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seeds

Abstract

In this study, the thermodynamic characteristics of tobacco seeds were investigated, based on experimental data from equilibrium moisture isotherms at desorption. An empirical exponential relationship was found for the decrease of the net isosteric heat and the differential entropy, based on the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, in response to the increase in moisture content; the values of the two parameters varied from 31.09 to 1.46 kJ.mol-1 and from 91.53 to 4.29 J.mol-1.K-1, respectively. The linear relationship between the enthalpy and the entropy in the moisture desoption of tobacco seeds supported the validity of the enthalpy-entropy theory. The value of Gibbs free energy was positive and the harmonic temperature (297.5 K) was lower than the isosteric temperature (339.6 K). The outcomes from the study provide for the deeper insight into the process of moisture desorption of tobacco seeds.