CURVA DE SECAGEM DA BIOCELULOSE PRODUZIDA DURANTE A FERMENTAÇÃO DO CHÁ DE camellia sinensis

Abstract

The biomaterial produced during the fermentation of green or black tea from Camellia sinensis, also known as SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts) appears as an alternative for the environment, as it is considered a substitute material for plastic, leather, among others . In this context, the objective of this study was to verify the efficiency of three different types of drying (natural, microwave and oven at 60 ° C) for SCOBY, to obtain a biomaterial. The SCOBYs were then cut and deposited in previously weighed Petri dishes to be subsequently sent to the drying processes. The entire procedure took place in triplicate. In the sun drying process, a 14% water reduction was observed, followed by the greenhouse method, with 18% water reduction and, finally, microwave drying, with 20% water reduction . Thus, it was found that the best method of dehydrating the biocellulose produced during the fermentation of Camellia sinensis tea was microwave drying, since a greater reduction in water content was observed in a shorter time.