Research on the Process of Convective Drying of Apples and Apricots Using an Original Drying Installation

Abstract

After being harvested, fresh apples and apricots have a high moisture content and are put through a drying process to reduce waste and lengthen shelf life. This study intends to evaluate the physicochemical parameters during moisture removal and product heating in order to conduct an experimental investigation of the convective drying of apples and apricots in a pilot drying installation. The drying agent’s temperature and/or speed can be adjusted using the pilot installation. About the raw materials: the apricots (Neptun variety) were dried and cut into halves, while the apples (Golden Delicious variety) were dried and cut into 4 mm thick slices. The fruits’ drying properties were observed at 50 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C, air speeds of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m/s, and relative air humidity levels of 40–45%. Findings of the ascorbic acid content, color, heating, and dimensional fluctuations are provided and examined. Increased air velocity and temperature had the expected effect of increasing water loss, solid gain, and shrinking. Depending on the drying conditions, different color characteristics were applied.