Effects of Different Cut-Induced Microstructural and Macrostructural Arrays on Convective Drying of Agave atrovirens Karw

Mexican agave ( Agave atrovirens Karw) is important for the Mexican tequila industry. After the juice has been extracted, however, the plants have not been used for by -products, and their potential for lignin and cellulose extraction needs to be studied further. The drying step preceding lignin and cellulose extraction was evaluated for agave slices cut transversely and longitudinally to the fi ber edge. Structural changes during drying were analyzed by image and fractal analysis. The drying kinetics were evaluated for both materials. Morphological evolution was monitored by means of charged - coupled device (CCD) cameras to capture images laterally and superiorly. Shrinkage and deformation during drying were evaluated, as well as effective diffusion coeffi cients. The cut type infl uenced the type of structures exposed to drying air and affected the drying rates. Transversely cut slabs were more prone to deformation and shrinking, whereas longitudinally cut samples were more resistant to changes in form and size. Different structural arrays play important roles in moisture transfer, which in turn affects lignin and cellulose extraction. The lower levels of shrinkage and deformation achieved presented advantages over extraction.