Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the drying characteristics of shrimp (Metapenaeus dobsoni) in an electrical dryer. Initial moisture content of shrimps was decreased from 73-79% (wb) to 8-10% (wb) final moisture in 8 h. Drying was performed at drying air temperature and air velocity of 55+-2 degree C and 0.8+-0.04 m/s respectively, and drying parameters were recorded at 1 h interval. Drying rate was found to be reduced with drying time and drying followed the falling rate drying period. Drying characteristics curves were plotted and various drying models were fitted to describe drying kinetics of shrimps. Drying models suitability was analysed based on higher coefficient of determination value (R2), lower root mean square error and reduced chi-square values (?2). Midilli model was selected as the best fit model with highest R2 (0.999), lowest ?2 (0.00002) and root mean square error (0.004) values. Results proved that hot air drying using electrical dryer has many advantages over sun drying like better control over drying temperature and moisture content, uniformity in drying and less drying time.