Convective drying characteristics of azarole red (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) and yellow (Crataegus aronia Bosc.) fruits

In this research, drying characteristics and energy requirement for drying of two different genotypes (Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and Crataegus aronia Bosc.) of azarole (Crataegus azarolus L.) red and yellow fruits were reported. Azarole fruits were dehydrated in a computer connected convective hot air dryer. Freshly harvested two different genotypes of azarole fruits were dried at 60 and 70 °C temperatures and drying air velocity was selected as 0.25 m/s for both temperatures. Azarole fruits were dehydrated from the initial moisture content of 211% and 273% (percentage dry basis) to a final moisture content of 8–9% for red and yellow fruits, respectively. During experiments, drying product were weighted automatically by the balance per 10 min. Data were transferred to the computer and processed by a software. The results indicated that drying air temperature significantly influenced the total drying time and total energy requirement for drying of both genotype azarole fruits. The minimum specific energy consumption for drying of red and yellow fruits were determined as 42.80 kWh/kg and 27.68 kWh/kg for 70 °C, respectively. In order to reduce drying energy consumption, it can be recommended that the drying temperature must not be less than 70 °C for this application.