Effect of fluidized bed drying temperature on various quality attributes of paddy

As reported by many researchers, it was found that fluidized bed paddy drying using high drying air temperatures of over 100degreesC affected the head rice yield and whiteness of dried rice. However, only a few studies on fluidized bed paddy drying with drying air temperatures below 100degreesC were so far reported. The main objective of this work was therefore to study the effect of fluidized bed drying air temperature on various quality parameters of Suphanburi 1 and Pathumthani 1 Indica rice. Paddy was dried from the initial moisture contents of 25.0, 28.8, and 32.5% dry basis to 22.5 +/- 1.2% dry basis using inlet drying air temperatures between 40 and 150degreesC at 10degreesC/ step. After fluidized bed drying, paddy was tempered and followed by ambient air aeration until its final moisture content was reduced to 16.3 +/- 0.5% dry basis. The results showed that the head rice yield of Suphanburi 1 was significantly related to the inlet drying temperature and initial moisture content whilst there was no significant relationship between the head rice yield, drying temperature and initial moisture content for Pathumthani 1. The whiteness of the two rice varieties was slightly decreased with increase in drying air temperature and initial moisture content. It was also found that the hardness of both cooked rice varieties exhibited insignificant difference (p < 0.05) comparing to rewetted rice, which was gently dried by ambient air aeration in thin layer. The thermal analysis by DSC also showed that partial gelatinization occurred during drying at higher temperatures. Using inlet drying air temperatures in the range of 40-150degreesC therefore did not affected the quality of cooked rice and paddy. The milling quality of paddy was also well maintained.