Evaluating the Performance of Super Absorbent Hydrogel in Drying of Seed Maize under Hermetic Conditions

The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility of using super absorbent hydrogel in drying of maize (Zea mays L.) seeds under hermetic conditions to offer alternative solutions to seed drying. The performance of hydrogel in drying seed maize under hermetic conditions was evaluated based on three (3) treatments consisting of 1:5, 1:10 and 1:15 hydrogel to seed maize ratio by weight dried under different temperatures of 40, 35, 30 and 25oC and initial moisture content of 16, 28 and 53% (dry basis). The control did not utilize any hydrogel. Analysis of variance for a 4*4*3 factorial experiment was computed to ascertain whether drying temperature and hydrogel to seed ratio had any effect on the final moisture content attained and if there was any interaction between the ratio and drying temperature. The results revealed that the effects of temperature, ratio and combination of temperature and ratio on the final moisture content were highly significant (p < .001). The study demonstrates that super absorbent hydrogel is a potential desiccant that can be used in drying seed maize under hermetic conditions.