Moisture diffusivity of table grape stems during low temperature storage conditions

• Moisture diffusivity and dehydration rates of table grape stem parts were studied.
• Moisture diffusivity of stem parts < those exposed to circulating cold air.
• Empirical models successfully described the dehydration kinetics of stem parts.
• Henderson and Pabis model predicted dehydration of grape whole stems.

Moisture diffusivity of grape stems was studied under cold airflow storage conditions (1.21 ± 0.25 °C and 1.18 ± 0.23 ms−1) during postharvest storage. The stems were stored without packaging liner films or with packaging liners (packed in non-perforated liner films) under low temperature conditions inside cold room. Effective moisture diffusivity values for stem parts packed in non-perforated liner films were lower than the values obtained for stem parts stored without packaging liners, and varied from 5.06 × 10−14–1.05 × 10−13 m2 s−1. Dehydration rate of stem parts directly exposed (without liners) to circulating cold air was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the dehydration rates of stem parts packed in non-perforated liner film. Empirical models were applied to describe the dehydration kinetics of the different parts of stem.

Different parts of the grape stem.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide