Studies on drying characteristics of onion (variety-Arka kalyan) slices using different drying methods

Abstract

Fresh Arka kalyan onion (Allium cepa L.) were treated with 10% NaCl for 1 h, 0.2% KMS for 15 min and 10% NaCl+0.2% KMS for 15 min and dried in solar tunnel dryer (STD) and open yard sun drying (OYSD). A comparative study was conducted to evaluate two drying methods with respect to temperature and time combinations. The sample of Arka kalyan onion required 17 to 21 h to dry under open yard sun drying and 15 to 17 h in solar tunnel drier to bring down initial moisture content ranging from 545.16-992.90% (d.b.) to final moisture content of 4.95-5.21% (d.b.).