Thermophysical properties and hygroscopic behavior of unripe banana (Musa cavendishii) were studied.
The sorption isotherms were measured at 25 C, 40 C, 50 C and 60 C and the observed sigmoid curves
were modeled with GAB equation which satisfactorily fitted the experimental data. The mean value of
monolayer moisture content (Xm) estimated was (5.5 ± 0.6) g/100 g d.b. Drying experiments were
conducted at temperatures of 40 C, 50 C and 60 C and the apparent density, specific heat, thermal
conductivity and thermal diffusivity e were directly measured as a function of moisture content and
porosity. Empirical models obtained by nonlinear regression were successfully fitted to the thermo-
physical properties, important data to model and simulate the drying process.