APPLICATION OF SIMULATED ANNEALING IN SIMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF DRYING PROCESS OF Zea mays MALT

Kinetic simulation and drying process optimization of corn malt by Simulated Annealing (SA) for estimation of temperature and time parameters in order to preserve maximum amylase activity in the obtained product are presented here. Germinated corn seeds were dried at 54-76 degrees C in a convective dryer, with occasional measurement of moisture content and enzymatic activity. The experimental data obtained were submitted to modeling. Simulation and optimization of the drying process were made by using the SA method, a randomized improvement algorithm, analogous to the simulated annealing process. Results showed that seeds were best dried between 3h and 5h. Among the models used in this work, the kinetic model of water diffusion into corn seeds showed the best fitting. Drying temperature and time showed a square influence on the enzymatic activity. Optimization through SA showed the best condition at 54 degrees C and between 5.6h and 6.4h of drying. Values of specific activity in the corn malt were found between 5.26 +/- 0.06 SKB/mg and 15.69 +/- 0,10% of remaining moisture.