ABSTRACT
Bracken
fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is a very popular species of vegetable fern plant
that grows abundantly in humid and wet seasons. This study was to evaluate the
Drying Kinetics, Sorption isotherms and the optimization of drying temperature,
drying time and weight on the Moisture Content, Total carotenoid, Vitamin C and
Tannin contents of Bracken fern {Pteridium aquilinum). Sorption isotherms were
obtained by gravimetric method. Page, Lewis and Logarithmic models were used at
temperatures of 40°C, 50°C and 60°C. The chemical composition of bracken fern
was 86.15% moisture content, l.’23% ash, 0.54% fat, 3.73% crude protein, 3.79%
crude fibre, 4.58% carbohydrate, 49.00mg/kg carotenoid and 0.005mg/100g Vitamin
C. The phytochemical composition of bracken fern was 0.43mg/kg Tannin, 0.24
mg/lOOg Oxalate, 0.68 g/kg Phytate, 0.88 % Flavonoid, 3.69% Saponin, 0.91%
Alkaloid and 0.05mg/kg Hydrogen Cyanide. The mineral composition was
4.24mg/100g Calcium 0.16mg/100g Magnesium, 0.88mg/100g Potassium, 2.61mg/100g
Iron and 3.00mg/100g Sodium. Page, Newton and Logarithmic models were used for
drying kinetics and Logarithmic model gave the best result with a R2of 0.9585
at a temperature of 40°C. GAB and BET models were used for the sorption
isotherm at a temperature of 40°C, 50°C and 60°C and BET was the most suitable
model with a R2 of 0.9384 at 60°C. The isosteric heat of sorption of bracken
fern decreased from 99,877 J/mol to 4,553 J/mol as water activity increased
from 0.1 to 0.9. Optimization was done at drying temperature of 70 to 100°C,
drying time of 40-60°C and weight of 5-15grams. Experimental design was based
on Central composite design (CCD) and Design Expert software version 6.0.8. The
data were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and
regression analysis at p<0.05 significance level. The model developed was
significant and has goodness of fit with an R2of 85.91%, 81.78%, 85.77% and
85.11% for moisture content, total carotenoid, vitamin C and tannin content
respectively. Optimized process conditions for producing best bracken fern were
temperature (minimum), time (in range) and weight (maximum) with an independent
response of 54.50% Moisture Content, 22.60mg/Kg Total Carotenoid, 0.0048mg/100g
Vitamin C and 0.1707mg/Kg Tannin having a desirability of 0.864. These
conditions were considered to retain nutrients, more economical, time and
energy saving
GBARASOGO, G (2025). Drying Kinetics And Sorption Isotherm Of Bracken Fern (Pteridium Aquilinuni):- Gbarasogo, Mbarabari N. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Jul 03, 2025, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/drying-kinetics-and-sorption-isotherm-of-bracken-fern-pteridium-aquilinuni-gbarasogo-mbarabari-n-7-2
GBARASOGO, GBARASOGO. "Drying Kinetics And Sorption Isotherm Of Bracken Fern (Pteridium Aquilinuni):- Gbarasogo, Mbarabari N" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 02 Jul. 2025, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/drying-kinetics-and-sorption-isotherm-of-bracken-fern-pteridium-aquilinuni-gbarasogo-mbarabari-n-7-2. Accessed 03 Jul. 2025.
GBARASOGO, GBARASOGO. "Drying Kinetics And Sorption Isotherm Of Bracken Fern (Pteridium Aquilinuni):- Gbarasogo, Mbarabari N". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 02 Jul. 2025. Web. 03 Jul. 2025. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/drying-kinetics-and-sorption-isotherm-of-bracken-fern-pteridium-aquilinuni-gbarasogo-mbarabari-n-7-2 >.
GBARASOGO, GBARASOGO. "Drying Kinetics And Sorption Isotherm Of Bracken Fern (Pteridium Aquilinuni):- Gbarasogo, Mbarabari N" Mouau.afribary.org (2025). Accessed 03 Jul. 2025. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/drying-kinetics-and-sorption-isotherm-of-bracken-fern-pteridium-aquilinuni-gbarasogo-mbarabari-n-7-2