MOISTURE SORPTION AND VOLUMETRIC CHANGES OF CANOLA DURING HYDROTHERMAL PROCESSING

The moisture content and volume change of canola seeds immersed in wat er or exposed to steam were measured. Three water temperatures of 22, 50 and 75C and one wet steam treatment (atmospheric pressure similar t o 100C) were used in the experiments. The maximum moisture attained by the canola seed was 0.67 decimal (db) in soaking and 0.54 decimal (db ) in steaming. The moisture sorption rates were higher at higher tempe ratures of soaking. The coefficient of expansion did not vary signific antly among treatments and an average coefficient of 1.032 per unit ch ange in moisture content was obtained.