Estudio de la ganancia de humedad de la yerba mate durante el estacionamiento

the influence of different variables in water adsorption of yerba mate in the seasoning stage was studied. the seasoning was performed in a room storage under ambient conditions. the air room temperature and humidity, and the water uptake rate in twigs and leaves were measured. the bags were placed at different locations and heights. the moisture content of the samples was measured each week and a previously calibrated halogen lamp moisture meter was used. in order to compare the moisture uptake rate, experimental data were fitted to the pilosof model. the moisture had a sharp increase at the beginning, until reaching equilibrium. after that, some oscillations depending on the external conditions were found. the leaves and twigs had a similar behavior and the moisture uptake depended on its initial value, but not on the material.