VOLUME CHANGE OF KIDNEY BEANS SOAKING IN WATER

Volume changes of four varieties of kidney beans during soaking in water were determined utilizing measurements of particle density and bulk density. The particle densities of samples were measured by a liquid–displacement method using a pycnometer at moisture contents from 15% to 125% (d.b.) and temperatures from 10³C to 50³C. A new empirical equation with three parameters relating moisture content and temperature to specific volume was derived. The measured data agreed well with the values calculated from the equation. In addition, the specific volume in bulk, which is the reciprocal of bulk density, was related to a quadratic function of moisture content.