Drying Kinetics and Energy Consumption in the Dehydration of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Arils and Rind

The objective of this study was to evaluate the drying kinetics and energy requirements during convective drying (CD) (50, 60 or 70 °C), vacuum-microwave drying (VMD) (240, 360 or 480 W) and a combined method of convective pre-drying and vacuum-microwave finishing drying (CPD-VMFD) while processing pomegranate arils and rind. Drying kinetics of CD and VMD was described using seven basic drying models; however, VMFD was modeled only by the Henderson and Pabis equation. Pomegranate rind required less drying time (26–460 min) than arils (51–1,395 min) due to its higher porosity and lower sugar content. The drying time and the energy consumption were reduced when the air temperature and microwave wattage were increased. VMD required less energy than CD within the entire range of moisture content assayed. CD energy consumption can be reduced by its combination with VMD (CPD-VMFD), and this reduction was more important when the VMFD was applied earlier. VMD and CPD-VMFD are a good option for food drying industry in order to reduce both the drying time and the energy consumption while processing pomegranate arils and rind. Therefore, industries can optimise the drying process and consequently save their financial needs.     

Drying kinetics and quality of beetroots dehydrated by combination of convective and vacuum-microwave methods

Beetroot cubes were dehydrated by convective drying in hot air at 60 °C and by the combination of convective pre-drying (CPD) until moisture content 1.6, 0.6 or 0.27 kg/kg db and vacuum-microwave finish drying (VMFD) at 240, 360 or 480 W. The control samples were obtained by freeze-drying (FD). The drying kinetics of beetroot cubes was described with an exponential function. VMFD significantly reduced the total time of drying and decreased drying shrinkage in comparison with convective method. A critical moisture content divided the temperature profile of samples during VMFD into increasing and falling periods. At the falling temperature period a significant increase in the colour parameters L^∗, a^∗ and b^∗ was found. VM treated samples as well as FD ones exhibited lower compressive strength, better rehydration potential and higher antioxidant activity than those dehydrated in convection. Increasing the microwave wattage and decreasing the time of CPD improved the quality of beetroot cubes dried by the combined method.     

Drying kinetics,colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity properties of kiwi dried by different methods

This study analysed the convective (60, 70 and 80° C), microwave (120 and 350 W) and freeze drying methods in terms of their effects on the drying characteristics, colour, total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity of kiwi slices. Nine different mathematical models were applied to experimental data to achieve the most accurate calculation for drying curves. The Midilli et al. and Wang and Singh models proved to be the most suitable at explaining the drying kinetics of kiwi samples as compared to other models according to the statistical tests. Each drying method was significantly affected by colour parameters (L*, a*, b*, C, α and ΔE). The dried samples exhibited respectively 5–49 % and 10–47 % less TPC and antioxidant capacity compared to the fresh sample. According to the correlation analysis conducted between TPC and antioxidant capacity for kiwi slices, there is a positive correlation (R ²  = 0.7796). Microwave dried samples at 120 W particularly had the lowest TPC and antioxidant capacity. Freeze drying method yielded the closest values with respect to colour values, total phenol content and antioxidant capacity to those of fresh samples when compared to the other methods.     

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Capacity, and Sensory Quality of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Arils and Rind as Affected by Drying Method

The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of: (1) freeze drying, (2) convective drying (50, 60, or 70 °C), (3) vacuum–microwave drying (240, 360, or 480 W), and (4) a combined method of convective pre-drying and vacuum–microwave finish drying in the processing of pomegranate arils and rind. The quality parameters under study included sugars and organic acids, punicalagins and ellagic acid, total polyphenols, total antioxidant activity, and sensory quality. In general, drying led to a reduction in all studied parameters; however, the behavior of arils and rind was different. Vacuum–microwave drying at 240 or 360 W was the best drying treatment for arils, while rind required freeze drying or soft conditions of convective drying (50 °C). Further research is needed to obtain proper results with convective pre-drying and vacuum–microwave finish drying of arils and rind. With proper selection of the drying protocol, high-quality dried arils will be available for consumers; these arils will be characterized by high contents of fructose (25 g 100 g^?1), phytic acid (2.2 g 100 g^?1), punicalagins (0.57 mg g^?1), total polyphenols (1.6 mg eq gallic acid g^?1), high antioxidant capacity (0.6 mg eq Trolox g^?1), and high intensities of garnet color, sweetness, sourness, and fresh pomegranate aroma. Besides, dried rind with very high contents of active compounds (123 mg g^?1 of punicalagins and 108 mg eq gallic acid g^?1) and high antioxidant capacity (26 mg eq Trolox g^?1) will be also available as functional material.     

Effect of Convective and Vacuum–Microwave Drying on the Bioactive Compounds,Color, and Antioxidant Capacity of Sour Cherries

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of microwave power during the vacuum–microwave drying (VMD) on sour cherries in terms of drying kinetics, including the temperature profile of dried material, as well as on some quality factors of the finished product including phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, and color. The content of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and color change were used as quality indicators of dried sour cherries. Sour cherries were dehydrated by convective drying (CD) at temperatures of 50 °C, 60 °C, and 70 °C and by VMD at the initial microwave power of 240 W, 360 W, and 480 W reduced to 240 W and 120 W in order to avoid a rapid increase in temperature at the critical moisture content of ca. 1 kg/kg dry mass. Control samples were prepared by freeze drying (FD). The increase in air temperature during CD as well as the increase in material temperature during VMD deteriorated dried product quality in terms of the content of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and color, which was consistent with anthocyanins content. However, VMD turned out to be much better than CD and competitive to FD. The best quality of the dried product and its more attractive color were achieved at VMD at 480 W followed by drying at microwave power reduced to 120 W, which corresponds to anthocyanins content. In addition, the drying process had a positive impact on contents of quercetin and keampferol derivatives. Dried sour cherries have a long shelf life and therefore may be a fine alternative to fresh fruit all year round.     

Comparison of Freeze-Drying with Three Different Combinations of Drying Methods and Their Influence on Colour,Texture, Microstructure and Nutrient Retention of Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Slices

Freeze-drying (FD) and three different combinations of drying methods: freeze-drying combined with hot air drying (FD?+?AD), freeze-drying combined with vacuum drying (FD?+?VD) and freeze-drying combined with microwave vacuum drying (FD?+?MVD) were used to dry button mushroom slices. A comprehensive analysis of dried products was performed on their colour, texture, nutrient retention, microstructure and energy consumption. The results showed that, under conditions of 38 % moisture content changing point, most of the parameters including L* values, a* values, average density and hardness of FD?+?VD and FD?+?MVD samples had no remarkable changes (p?>?0.05) compared with FD samples. However, only FD?+?MVD method can reduce drying time by 35.63 % in comparison of FD method, although all the combination drying methods can reduce the energy consumption. Moreover, FD?+?VD and FD?+?MVD products were better than FD?+?AD products in nutrient retention except that content of vitamin C was comparatively lower during FD?+?MVD process. In conclusion, the FD?+?MVD method has advantages in terms of efficiency and energy saving and could be preferred to produce high-quality products.     

Two-Stage Intermittent Microwave Coupled with Hot-Air Drying of Carrot Slices: Drying Kinetics and Physical Quality

To display the advantages of two-stage intermittent microwave coupled with hot-air (60 °C) drying (IM&AD), different drying methods were compared. The activation power density of samples dried by IM&AD increased slightly and then rapidly as moisture content decreased. Drying kinetics, specific energy consumption and dried product quality, such as colour, rehydration ratio and α- and β-carotene contents, of carrot dried by IM&AD under the optimum conditions were assessed and compared with those of carrot dried by hot-air (60 °C) drying, hot-air (60 °C) drying followed by low-power microwave (145 W) drying, high-power microwave (175 W) drying followed by hot-air (60 °C) drying and high-power microwave (175 W) drying followed by low-power microwave (145 W) drying. The effective diffusivity increased gradually and then rapidly as moisture content decreased in all five drying processes. The IM&AD is a promising way for industrial application because it showed the lowest drying time with relatively low energy consumption and provided the best quality of final products with the best colour appearance, highest rehydration ratio and highest α- and β-carotene contents.     

热风、微波及其联合干燥对蒜片品质的影响

为研究热风、微波及其联合干燥对蒜片品质的影响,以大蒜片为原料,以干燥速率、硫代亚磺酸酯含量、感官评分、色泽L值、复水比和综合得分为指标,比较不同热风温度和微波功率对蒜片干燥特性和品质的影响,并以热风温度、转换点干基含水量、微波功率为实验因素,设计L₉(33)正交实验对热风微波联合干燥蒜片的工艺条件进行优化。结果表明:60 ℃热风干燥和550 W微波干燥所得蒜片干品的综合得分较高,分别为83.64和80.74分。热风温度和微波功率对联合干燥蒜片的综合得分影响极显著(p<0.01);转换点干基含水量对综合得分影响显著(p<0.05)。热风微波联合干燥蒜片的最佳工艺条件为前期热风65 ℃干燥至转换点干基含水量1.00 g/g,后期采用功率550 W微波干燥至干基含水量0.18 g/g。在此条件下,联合干燥制备脱水蒜片的干燥速率最快,硫代亚磺酸酯含量最高为1.7739 mmol/100 g,综合得分最高为92.21分,感官品质较好。因此,热风微波联合干燥技术是适合蒜片干燥的较好方法。     

Total Phenolics, Flavonoids, and Antioxidant Activity of Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) Plants as Affected by Different Drying Methods

In the current study, we determined the effects of seven drying methods on total phenolics, flavonoids, individual phenolics, and antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of Salvia officinalis L. As compared with total phenolic content (TPC) of fresh plants, results showed that the highest TPC was recorded in plants dried by microwave (MW) at a power of 800 W/30 g of fresh plant and was 4.2 times higher than that of fresh plants whereas the lowest content was found in the case of plants dried by far-infrared (FIR) at 45 °C. The analysis of the different extracts by RP-HPLC showed a predominance of phenolic acids particularly in fresh plants and those dried by MW (600 W/30 g of fresh plant) whereas flavonoids predominate in the case of plants dried by FIR (65 °C). The assessment of the radical scavenging activity (RSA) against the stable radical 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) showed an increase in the scavenging effect particularly in MW (800 W/30 g of fresh plant) dried plants with an IC50?=?13.49 μg ml^?1 (IC50 is the concentration required to cause 50 % DPPH inhibition). The complementary assessment of the RSA using the β-carotene/linoleic acid system showed an increase of this activity for all extracts and particularly for the extract derived from MW (600 W/30 g of fresh plant) dried plants as compared to fresh ones. Finally, all the plant extracts showed moderate reducing power as assessed by the ferric-reducing antioxidant potential. These results suggested that MW drying could be applied to retain phenolic contents and to enhance antioxidant activity of sage plant materials.     

Microwave drying of ginger (Zingiber officinaleRoscoe) and its effects on polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity

The effects of microwave (MW) drying on the total polyphenol content (TPP) and antioxidant properties of ginger extract (column extraction using 50% ethanol at room temperature) were evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteau's method, 2, 2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl assay, reducing power, antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing ability of plasma assay. The results were compared to that of the convective cross‐flow drying (CD) at 50 ± 4 °C. Extract yield, TPP content (59–80 mg GAE per g) of the MW‐dried samples increased with increase in MW power levels (PL 40, 60, 80 and 100), which might be as a result of MW energy causing breakdown of cellular constituents. The MW‐dried (PL100, 800W) extract showed the highest quantity (1.5 fold) in TPP, [6]‐gingerol content and antioxidant activity, when compared to the CD extract. Hence, it might be concluded that the optimal MW PL for drying of ginger slices with respect to retention of nonvolatiles such as TPP including [6]‐gingerol was PL 100.     

Effect of Carbonic Maceration Pre-treatment on Drying Kinetics of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Flesh and Quality of Dried Product

A new pre-treatment — carbonic maceration (CM) pre-treatment — was presented in this paper. To study the effect of CM on microwave drying (MD) kinetics of Chilli flesh and quality of dried product, the fresh (control group, CK) and CM pre-treated samples were dried through MD at 100, 150 and 200 W, respectively. CM conditions were optimized by orthogonal test. The drying results indicated that, the average drying rate for CM samples were as much as 150–185 % of these for CK samples. For both CK and CM samples, the drying rate increased at the initial time (a warming-up period) and then decreased at the end time (a falling rate period) after reaching a plateau (a constant rate period). And the effective diffusivity, D _eff, increased gradually at the initial period and then rapidly at the final period with the diminishing moisture content. Elevated microwave power levels could lead to a linear increase in values of D _eff at the same moisture content. The activation energy, E _a, increased rapidly when moisture content was below about 1 g water/g dry mass, which was lower for CM samples than for CK samples, and can be well described with a logistic model. Scavenging free radical capability (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenol contents and vitamin C retention contents of the dried products for CM samples were as much as 170.1–190.9 %, 140.2–147.8 %, 140.1–160.0 % and 212.7–682.4 % of these for CK samples, respectively. The CM dried products were also better in terms of colour differences than CK.     

Combined Drying of Apple Cubes by Using of Heat Pump,Vacuum-Microwave,and Intermittent Techniques

Apple cubes of 15 mm were dried naturally without adding any chemical preservative using various drying methods namely intermittent hot air–dehumidified air drying with cyclic temperature profile and step-up temperature profile, heat-pump-assisted (HP) drying, convective vacuum-microwave (C/VM) drying, and heat pump vacuum-microwave (HP/VM) drying. The drying kinetics of apple samples dehydrated by different methods was divided into characteristic drying periods and fitted with empirical models, which gave high value of determination coefficient. The application of C/VM in drying of fruits gave the shortest drying time compared to other drying methods (about 50 % of the total drying time). The drying time was affected by effective diffusivity ranging from 3.522?×?10^?8 to 1.431?×?10^?6 m²/min depending on the drying technique used. It was found that combined drying which apply vacuum microwave (C/VM, HP/VM) gave the lowest values in hardness and chewiness. In addition, HP/VM drying gave the highest retained total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and the best appearance quality.     

Effects of Drying Air Temperature on the Structural Properties of Garlic Evaluated During Drying

Second order phase transitions may occur in foodstuffs during the convective drying process. These transitions involve physicochemical changes, which influence both structural properties and drying behavior. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of drying air temperature and the second order phase transition of garlic on the changes in particle density, apparent density, apparent porosity, effective diffusivity, and cracking produced during drying. Garlic slices were dehydrated at three air temperatures (40, 50, and 60°C). The moisture content (X), inside temperature (T_i), surface temperature (T_s), apparent (ρ_b) and particle (ρ_p) densities of garlic slices were measured during drying. Porosity (?) was calculated based on the data collected for ρ_p and ρ_b. Glass transition temperatures (T_g) and micrographs were obtained for both raw and dehydrated garlic. A critical point in the intersection of T_i, T_s, and T_g was found; this point was identified as a second order phase transition. Diffusivity and slope changes in ρ_b, ρ_p, and ? with respect to moisture content were found to be related to this critical point. Experimental data for ρ_b, ρ_p, and ? was fitted to a nonlinear equation with three exponential terms with respect to moisture content, with an R² > 0.85. Less dense products were found to be more porous, with more cracking, higher moisture diffusivity, and lower T_g at the end of the drying process.     

Effects of infrared heating on drying kinetics,antioxidant activity,phenolic content,and color of jujube fruit

This study investigated the effects of different infrared power (IP) levels (62, 88, and 125 W) and a pretreatment (soaking in a solution of 5 % potassium carbonate and 0.5 % olive oil) on the drying kinetics and some quality parameters of jujube fruit. The drying characteristics of jujube were greatly influenced by the pretreatment and IP level. The models of Lewis, Logarithmic, Page, and Aghbashlo et al. were fitted to the obtained experimental data using nonlinear regression analysis. The Page model showed a better fit to the experimental drying data when compared to the other models. The effective moisture diffusivity, calculated using Fick’s second law, ranged from 4.75 × 10^?10 to 4.17 × 10^?9 m²/s. Significantly, higher total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity values were obtained for the pretreated samples subjected to higher IP levels. The total color change (ΔE) of the dried samples significantly increased with increasing IP level. Jujube fruits should be pretreated and then dried at 88 W IP to reduce phenolic degradation and undesired color changes and to increase the quality of the dried product.     

Drying Characteristics and Quality Parameters of Microwave-Dried Grated Carrots

The effectiveness of various microwave-convective drying treatments was compared with convective drying to determine the most favourable treatments in terms of drying kinetics, specific energy consumption and dried product quality of grated carrots. The quality of the dried products differed among drying treatments depending on the microwave power level, pulse ratio and drying temperature. The intermittent microwave-convective drying at ambient temperature with a pulse ratio of 3.0 at 2.23 W?g^?1 provided considerable savings in drying time and specific energy consumption when compared to convective drying and produced high-quality product with better physical (colour and texture) and sensory attributes for carrots. The intermittent microwave-convective drying conducted at lower drying temperature with relatively long power-off time resulted in a more stable and gentle drying process and could be preferred to produce high-quality products.     

Comparison of Freeze-Drying and Freeze-Drying Combined with Microwave Vacuum Drying Methods on Drying Kinetics and Rehydration Characteristics of Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Slices

Button mushroom slices were dried using freeze-drying (FD) and freeze-drying combined with microwave vacuum drying (FD?+?MVD) methods. Drying parameters including drying temperatures (20, 30, and 40 °C), chamber pressures (70, 100, and 130 Pa) and material layer thicknesses (single, double, and triple) during FD process, and microwave power densities (20, 40, and 60 W/g) and material layer thicknesses (single, double and triple) during MVD period of FD?+?MVD process, were investigated for their drying characteristics. The FD and FD?+?MVD products were then rehydrated at two temperatures (20 and 70 °C). Different mathematical models were tested with the drying and rehydration behaviors of button mushroom slices, and the effective diffusivities (D _eff) in the FD and FD?+?MVD processes were also calculated. The results indicated that based on the statistical tests, the Page model and logarithmic model provided the best fit for FD (in both FD and FD?+?MVD processes) and MVD (in FD?+?MVD process) curves, respectively. The regression equations obtained from selected models can accurately predict the relationships between moisture ratio (MR) and time (t). Furthermore, the D _eff values of the MVD period in FD?+?MVD process (2.318–5.565?×?10^?5 m²/s) were about ten times greater than those in FD process (1.291–3.389?×?10^?6 m²/s). In addition, the Peleg model gave a better fit for rehydration conditions applied in both FD and FD?+?MVD products. The values of equilibrium moisture content (W _e) of FD?+?MVD products were almost similar to those of FD products, which indicated that the rehydration capacities of the two dehydrated products were comparable.     

Effect of different drying methods on drying characteristics,colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.)

In this study, the effects of convective, microwave and microwave–convective drying methods on the drying characteristics, colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of goldenberry fruits were investigated. To select the most appropriate thin‐layer drying model for drying treatments, nine mathematical drying models were fitted to the experimental data. Based on the statistical tests used for evaluation, the Midilli et al. and Wang and Singh models were considered the best models to describe the drying behaviours of goldenberry fruits in all drying methods. The colour values (L*, a* and b*) of fresh fruit were decreased by drying. Compared with the fresh sample, the dried samples exhibited a 64–75% and 65–75% decrease in total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, respectively. Among the different drying treatments, the values closest to those of fresh samples with respect to colour values, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were achieved with the 160 W microwave drying method.     

The Effect of Microwave-Vacuum Pretreatment on the Drying Kinetics,Color and the Content of Bioactive Compounds in Osmo-Microwave-Vacuum Dried Cranberries (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vaccinium macrocarpon</Emphasis>)

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of microwave-vacuum pretreatment conducted at 100, 500 and 800 W on the drying kinetics of whole cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) during hybrid osmotic and microwave-vacuum drying. Additionally, the effect of microwave-vacuum pretreatment and subsequent osmo-microwave-vacuum drying on selected quality indicators of dried cranberries, including phenolic content, antioxidant activity and color, was studied, and the quality of samples was compared with freeze dried, microwave-vacuum dried and osmo-microwave-vacuum dried samples. Irrespective of microwave power, the initial pretreatment accelerated mass transfer during osmotic dehydration of cranberries, and the Weibull model well fitted the experimental data. Final microwave-vacuum drying of cranberries was a two-stage process involving a relatively long phase with a constant drying rate, followed by a short period with a decreasing drying rate. Microwave-vacuum and osmo-microwave-vacuum drying resulted in similar retention of polyphenols and similar antioxidant activity, both of which were relatively higher than in freeze-dried cranberries. However, microwave-vacuum pretreatment at low microwave power (100 W) before dehydration also resulted in high retention of phenolic compounds, high antioxidant activity and attractive color, which were consistent with the high content of total anthocyanins and flavonoids. Microwave-vacuum, osmo-microwave-vacuum and osmo-microwave-vacuum drying combined with microwave-vacuum pretreatment at low microwave power (100 W) were the most suitable methods for the production of high-quality dried whole cranberries.     

The effect of microwave and conventional drying on antioxidant activity,phenolic compounds and mineral profile of date fruit (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoenix dactylifera</Emphasis> L.) flesh

In this study, the effect of microwave and conventional drying on antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, mineral and total phenolic contents of date fruit meat (Silifke and Anamur) were determined. Both microwave (360, 540 and 720 W) and conventional (70, 90 and 110 °C) drying caused the reduction of phenolic compounds although there can not considerably variation in antioxidant activity of date flesh. Total phenolic contents of date flesh changed between 114.640 mgGAE/100 g (Silifke 540 W) and 133.484 mg GAE/100 g (Silifke 720 W) compared with control sample (156.128 mg GAE/100 g). While P contents of date fruit change between 86.00 mg/Kg (control) and 704.420 mg/Kg (360 W), P contents of Anamur samples ranged from 79.430 mg/Kg (Control) to 1288.780 mg/Kg (360 W). Mineral contents of date fruits dried in microwave oven were found higher than those of observed in conventional dried fruits (especially Ca and Mg contents of date fruits).     

Comparison of electrohydrodynamic and hot-air drying of the quince slices

Electrohydrodynamic is one of the new methods of drying with low energy consumption, which has attracted much attention from the investigators in recent years. In this study, the quince slices have been dried by an electrohydrodynamic method with variable voltage (at three levels of 5, 7, 9 kV) and by a hot- air drying with variable temperature (at three levels of 50, 60 and 70 °C). The effect of two drying methods on drying kinetics, energy consumption, potent antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of quince slices is investigated. Statistical results showed that the total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of the dried quince slices by the hot-air process is 1.37 and 1.15 times as much as those in electrohydrodynamic process, respectively, and the average energy by hot-air drying is 48.66 times as much as the average energy consumption of electrohydrodynamic method.