Development of infrared food dehydrator

Abstract

Infrared drying is the latest technology used for drying of food products. There are also ovens present in the market for cooking using infrared light. An infrared dehydrator is developed for drying of Non Timber Forest Produce and Horticultural Crops. A dehydrator is developed which is rectangular in shape and has a drying area of 6.84 square feet. Two infrared bulbs of 250 Wattage each, is used for production of heat and two fans are also attached for circulation of air in it. Two trays made up of wire mesh screens were used for keeping product in it. In a trial a sample of 200 g Neem leaves having an initial moisture content of 58% were kept in the fabricated dehydrator. Time taken for drying of product from 58% moisture content to 10% moisture content at different temperatures of 45 °C, 50 °C, 60 °C, 65 °C and 70 °C was 2 hr, 1.5 hr, 1 hr, 0.75 hr and 0.5 hr respectively. The fabrication cost of this machine is around Rs. 7,500.00.