ABSTRACT
Quality characteristics of sulphured and non-sulphured apricots dried with a sequential combined pilot scale solar assisted hot air and hot air assisted radio frequency dryer and conventional sun system were compared. The combined drying approach showed improved color, hardness, antioxidant activity and retention of vitamin C, ß-carotene and total phenolic content values compared to conventional sun drying both for sulphured and non-sulphured samples. The effects of sulphur concentration and addition of pistachio hull extract as a treatment prior to drying were also investigated. Increase in sulphur concentration and addition of extract resulted in considerable quality (with respect to color, Vitamin C, ß-carotene and total phenolic content) increase in apricots. The apricots pretreated with extract had the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. This study demonstrated that combined drying process is an effective drying method for apricots with the better preservation of product quality attributes.
ABSTRACT
Conventional hot air and solar energy processes have been used for apricot. These processes had adverse effects on the quality due to the longer process times, and this indicates the need for an innovative approach. Radio frequency (RF) processing has innovation potential for drying with its volumetric heating feature, but an optimal process should be designed for process efficiency in industrial-scale applications. Therefore, the objective of this study was to confirm the RF process for industrial-scale apricot drying. For this purpose, a mathematical model was developed to predict temperature and moisture content change of apricots during drying, and experimental validation study was carried out. For the RF drying process, pre-dried apricots (0.58-0.75 kg water/kg dry matter, db) by solar energy were used. The purpose was to start the RF process at a suitable moisture content level as this process was not feasible to apply directly due to the high initial moisture content of apricots (up to 4 kg water/kg dry matter, db). RF drying experiments were carried out in a 10 kW hot air-assisted (50-60°C) staggered through electrode system. Optimum electrode gap was 81 mm with 2500 V potential of the charged electrode. Final moisture content of the dried apricots was 0.25-0.33 kg water/kg dry matter (db). Following the model validation for temperature and moisture content change, industrial-scale apricot drying scenarios were demonstrated to confirm the RF process for feasibility and process design. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: A comprehensive mathematical model was developed for radio frequency (RF) drying of apricots. This model was experimentally validated with respect to the temperature and moisture content change. Various process design studies were carried out for an industrial-scale apricot drying process to confirm the process feasibility. With this background, the results of this study can be directly used in an industrial drying for an optimal process design and energy efficiency.
Subject(s)
Prunus armeniaca , Desiccation , Hot Temperature , Models, Theoretical , Radio Waves , TemperatureABSTRACT
The objective of this work was to study the influence of spray drying conditions on the physicochemical properties of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extract. The stickiness and hydroscopicity problems in the power were overcome by use of dextrose equivalent (DE12) and DE19 maltodextrins as drying agents. The inlet air temperatures of 110 °C, 120 °C, and 130 °C and maltodextrin concentrations of 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % (maltodextrin dry solids/100 g feed mixture dry solids) were the independent variables. Moisture content, bulk density, color change, hygroscopicity, acidity & pH, solubility were analyzed to determine the effects of spray drying conditions. Increases in inlet air temperature were caused an increase in yield, pH, solubility and a decrease in moisture content, bulk density, hygroscopicity, L*, a*, b*, acidity. Increases in maltodextrin concentrations were caused an increase in yield, L*, b*, acidity and a decrease in moisture content, bulk density, hygroscopicity, a*, pH, solubility. Increases in DE maltodextrins were caused an increase in bulk density, hygroscopicity, L*, pH and a decrease in yield, moisture content, a*, b*, acidity, solubility.
ABSTRACT
Mint leaves were dried by three different types of dryers, namely; tray, freeze and distributed (indirect)-type solar dryer. Sorption isotherms of fresh, solar, tray and freeze dried mint were determined at temperatures of 15 °C, 25 °C and 35 °C over a range of relative humidities (10-90%). The effect of drying method on the water sorption isotherms of dried mint samples was evaluated. Experimental data were used to determine the best models for predicting the moisture sorption content of mint. Among nine sorption models tested, Peleg, GAB, Lewicki and modified Mizrahi equations gave the best fit to experimental data. The sorption data were analyzed for determination of monolayer moisture content, density of sorbed water, number of adsorbed monolayers, percent bound water, and surface area of adsorbance. The experimental data were also used to determine some thermodynamic properties of mint.
