A freshly harvested rice straw was weighed and dried. The initial weight of the sample was 100 kg, and after drying, the final weight of the bone dry material was 75 kg. The moisture content of the sample on a dry basis will be:

Correct option is A

To calculate the moisture content on a dry basis, the following formula is used:

Initial weight = 100 kg
Dry weight = 75 kg

Thus, the moisture content on a dry basis is 33.3%.
Additional Knowledge: · Wet Basis Moisture Content: This percentage is calculated concerning the total weight of the wet sample. Commonly used in industries for quick evaluations.
· Dry Basis Moisture Content: This measures the moisture relative to the dry matter. Used in scientific and technical assessments, especially for material stability analysis.
· Practical Applications in Storage:
· High moisture content promotes microbial growth and spoilage.
· Proper drying ensures long-term storage, especially for grains and biomass.
· Moisture Control Methods:
· Sun drying, mechanical drying, and desiccators are commonly used for drying.