Abstract
This study aimed to compare the performance and economic efficiency of greenhouse solar and hot air drying. These are widely used and inexpensive techniques for preserved fruit production in Thailand. Two drying methods were used to dry mango fruit, var. Nam Dok Mai. During the process of both drying methods, the moisture content of mango slices was reduced from an average 85.6% to 12.5% wet basis. To determine the most profitable dryer system for investment, economic analyses of greenhouse solar and hot air drying, involving the main variables affecting their profitability, were investigated, including production and maintenance cost, capital costs, revenue, and drying capacities. The internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV), benefit to cost ratio (BCR) and payback period (PBP) were all evaluated. The results of economic evaluation revealed that high values of IRR, NPV, and BCR, and low value of PBP made the two drying systems cost efficient. However, when the incremental rate of return (ROR) was determined, 66% incremental ROR was much greater than the minimum attractive rate of return (MARR = 4.875%). Consequently, the greenhouse solar drying method proved to be the most suitable method for small-to-medium-scale entrepreneurs to produce crispy mango.
Highlights
IntroductionMango is an important export fruit and grown nationwide in Thailand
Accepted: 2 February 2022Mango is an important export fruit and grown nationwide in Thailand
This study aimed (a) to investigate the effect of temperature and velocity of air drying on dried mangoes quality; (b) to compare performance and economic efficiency of greenhouse solar and hot air drying; and (c) to determine the most suitable method for drying crispy mangoes in small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Summary
Mango is an important export fruit and grown nationwide in Thailand. Of more than described mango varieties grown in Thailand, 7 are grown for export: ‘Nam Dok Mai’,. The export volume of fresh mangoes in 2020 was 90,245 tons, which was valued at USD 79 million. Nam Dok Mai is the most popular variety for export [2]. Thailand exports mangoes mainly to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, China and Malaysia [3]. Nam Dok Mai mango is preferred in many countries due to favorable characteristics, such as attractive color, good taste and great flavor [1]. Overproduction causes low prices and increases the demand for appropriate preservation methods of fresh mango flesh [4]. Processed mango products are fast gaining markets and commanding better prices than other processed tropical fruits
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