Abstract

                                The effect of direct sun-drying and solar drying of fourteen varieties of grapes were studied in terms of moisture content, drying rate, total soluble solids (TSS) and acidity. A saving in time of 40% could be achieved in a solar cabinet drier as compared to open sun drying. Appreciable change in TSS and no difference in citric acid were observed between the products dried under the two methods. The dehydration ratio, dehydration ratio, rehydration coefficient and the moisture content of rehydrated product were also determined

Key words : Solar cabinet drier, Drying rate, Dehydration, Rehydration