Quality improvement of non-sulphited mango slices by drying at high temperatures

The suggested process concept for dried mango slices based on high-temperature drying is of utmost significance for the international marketing of dried fruit products. Chemical pre-treatments such as sulphitation often used to minimise quality deficiencies could be avoided. Sulphitation has been recently under critical consideration with respect to allergen labelling of foodstuffs implemented by EU-Member States in November 2004 (Directive 2003/89/EC) [Directive 2003/89/EC. Official Journal of the European Union, 25.11.2003, pp. L308/15-18 (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_308/l_30820031125en00150018.pdf)]. Export quality was improved and the drying process simplified, improving the utilisation of drying capacities. Particularly referring to an application of the technology in small- and medium-sized enterprises with limited investment possibilities, the suggested novel drying procedure in mango processing aimed at the optimisation of well-established simple drying methods instead of choosing technically more sophisticated technologies.