Characterization and mathematical modelling of drying behaviour of wood apple (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Limonia Acidissima</i>) pulp

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate drying characteristics and the effect of drying conditions on quality parameters of wood apple pulp in hot air oven drier and solar drier and to describe the suitable drying process through mathematical modelling. The wood apple pulp was dried in hot air oven at 50°C, 60°C, 70°C and 80°C and also in solar drier. The experimental moisture ratio during drying was fitted to the most widely investigated mathematical models. The yield of wood apple powder was ranged between 28 to 48%. Though the drying time was lengthier (8 hours) in solar drying, the overall drying rate, dehydration ratio, moisture ratio, fruit powder yield, bulk density, porosity, swelling power and retention of nutrients were found to be greater than hot air oven drying at various temperatures. Authors approximation model could adequately describe hot air oven drying behaviour at 50°C, 60°C and 70°C; Page, Modified Page and Modified Page Equation models together could describe the hot air oven drying behaviour at 80°C equally and adequately; and Two-term Exponential model could adequately describe solar drying behaviour.