What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to compare and optimize quality characteristics of orange slices using two drying methods: VMD and HAD.

April 8, 2026Applied Sciences0 citationsOpen Access

Vacuum Microwave Drying as an Efficient Alternative to Hot Air Drying: Optimization, Drying Kinetics, and Quality Retention of Washington Navel Orange Slices

NKNeslihan KeçeliAdana Science and Technology University EPErva ParıldıAdana Science and Technology University SİSemih Latif İpekDumlupinar University

Puntos clave

This research aims to compare and optimize quality characteristics of orange slices using two drying methods: VMD and HAD.
Applied Response Surface Methodology with Box–Behnken design for optimization.
Determined optimum conditions for VMD at 4 kW power, 60 °C temperature, and 2 mm slice thickness.
Established optimum conditions for HAD at 78 °C temperature, 1.57 m/s air velocity, and 2.3 mm slice thickness.
VMD showed better preservation of total phenolics and bioactive compounds compared to HAD.
Effective moisture diffusivity was significantly higher in VMD (8.38 × 10−10 m2/s) than HAD (1.49 × 10−10 m2/s).
HMF formation was higher during HAD, indicating better quality retention in VMD.

Resumen

This study aimed to comparatively optimize and evaluate the quality characteristics of Washington Navel orange slices using vacuum microwave drying (VMD) and conventional hot air drying (HAD) systems. Response Surface Methodology based on the Box–Behnken design was applied to both systems. For the models developed in the VMD system, the coefficient of determination (R2) was found to be in the range of 0.96–0.97, and the optimum conditions were determined as 4 kW power, 60 °C temperature, and 2 mm slice thickness. For HAD, the optimum conditions were determined as 78 °C temperature, 1.57 m/s air velocity, of 2.3 mm slice thickness. VMD showed superior performance compared to hot air drying in terms of total phenolic preservation, retention of bioactive compounds, and rehydration capacity. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation was higher during hot-air drying. The effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) was significantly higher in VMD (8.38 × 10−10 m2/s) than in HAD (1.49 × 10−10 m2/s), indicating enhanced internal moisture transport under vacuum microwave conditions. The results revealed that VMD is an efficient technology for producing high-quality dried citrus products with improved bioactive retention and reduced processing time.

Preguntar a la IA

Me gusta

Guardar

Ver artículo completo