Efeitos da umidade de colheita e do manejo da massa de grãos na secagem em silo-secador sobre a dinâmica operacional e qualidade da soja

Abstract

In-bin drying is an alternative for reducing investments and operating costs, as well, as increasing the capacity for receiving grains by industries. However, this method requires long drying times, and for this reason, a correct handling is essential to ensure the quality of the grains. Especially when it comes to soybeans, which are highly susceptible to degradation due to the high content of lipids. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of different grains mass configuration (peaked, leveled and inverted/leveled) and of the moisture content (14.0% - 16.0% e 16.1% - 18.0%) on operational dynamic, chemical composition, coloration and the oil quality during industrial in-bin drying of soybean. The results showed that a configuration of inverting and leveling of the grain mass reduces the operational cost of drying, due to the better uniformity of the airflow between the center and periphery (close to the wall) that reduces the drying time. Regardless of configuration, the lipid content decreased and the lipid acidity increased during in-bin drying. However, the smallest changes were observed in the grains harvested at 14-16% moisture content and subjected to inverted/leveled configuration. The oxidation products of the oil (K232 and K270), the acidity of the flour and the color variation were greater in the soybeans submitted to peaked configuration. This study suggests the use of inverting and leveling configuration of the grain mass, as well soybeans harvested with a maximum moisture content of 16%, like as an ideal for reducing operating costs and maintaining the quality parameters.