Microwave dielectric study of cinnamon (Cinnamoum zeylanicum) at 9.85 frequency.

Values of dielectric constant (є′), dielectric loss(″) relaxation time (τ_p), and conductivity (σ) and moisture content of pulverized samples of cinnamon bark were measured for different packing densities at 9.85 GHz microwave frequency and at different temperatures (20°C,35°C and 50°C). Experimental results on powders of different packing fraction (δr) were used to obtain transformation to 100% solid bulk using correlation formulae of Landau-Lifshitz-Looyenga and Bottcher. Moisture content was measured by Thermogravimetric method. It is found that, there was fair agreement between the calculated values of dielectric parameters and the values obtained experimentally for solid bulk. This shows cohesion in the particles of cinnamon bark powder under investigation.