Effect of Different Drying Techniques on Dehydration of Sprouted Moth Bean (Vigna acontilifolia)

Abstract

Shade drying, sun drying and mechanical drying ( drying temperature of 50, 60, 70 and 80oC) techniques were used to dehydrate the sprouted moth bean. The total drying time required for sprouted moth bean to attain equilibrium moisture content by shade and sun drying was 35 h and 13 h, respectively. In case of mechanical drying total drying time required were 11.67, 10.00, 8.67 and 7.67 h for drying air temperature 50, 60, 70 and 80oC, respectively. The drying behaviour was exponential in nature and it was in falling rate period. The exponential model was found to be best fit for drying data. The drying rate was maximum initially, which decreased with increase in drying time and decrease in moisture content. On the basis of quality attributes mechanical drying at 60oC was found suitable for drying of sprouted moth bean.