Kinetics of Convective Drying and Quality of Pears Cultivars Conference, Lucas, Abate

Abstract

Abstract. The objective of this study is the kinetics process of drying of the pears cv. Conference, cv. Abate and cv. Lucas with a laboratory dryer, in order to identify at which level of humidity the maximum speed of evaporation is achieved and at which level of temperature and humidity pears slices begin to change (colour and shape) and to determine which one of the three tested varieties offers the best properties for drying, which will ensure that the final product is technologically and organoleptically the most acceptable. Drying parameters were the same for all three varieties: 2 hours at air temperature 90oC, 2 hours at air temperature 80oC, 2 hours at air temperature 70 C and 2 hours at air temperature 60o C. The results showed that the sample of the cv. Conference has undergone the least oxidation process, rounded edges and shriveled slices, and samples of the cv Lucas showed the worst results. Following the drying process of all three varieties, it can be concluded that the cultivars Abate and Conference achieved the lower evaporation speed, unlike the cv. Lucas. The cultivars Conference and Abate have attained consistent drying and in this way the technological process was finished with a smaller temperature, resulting in a better quality of the final product. o