On the study of the drying behavior of a heat-sensitive biomaterial undergoing stepwise-varying temperature schemes

Abstract

A mechanistic model is presented for predicting the moisture and temperature distribution of biomaterials undergoing stepwise temperature drying. Good conformity of up to 7.4% was obtained between the simulated results and experimental data from product moisture and temperature. The calibrated model was used to conduct a parametric study on the stepwise variation of the air temperature and the impact on the internal temperature distribution and quality kinetics. The benefit of employing stepwise temperature profiles includes reversing the direction of heat flow within the product, resulting in appreciable improvement in product quality parameters such as ascorbic acid retention and surface color.