Effect of drying method on the sorption characteristics of model fruit powders

Pectin-sugar gels were dehydrated with four different drying methods: freeze, microwave, vacuum and conventional drying to a moisture content of about 5%. The effect of the drying method on the water sorption properties of dehydrated produce was evaluated at 25 degrees C. Freeze-dried gel adsorbed more water vapour than microwave-dried gel, which had a higher sorption capacity than vacuum- and conventional-dried product. The sorption isotherms were in agreement with the reported shape for high sugar foodstuffs. Three different equations proposed in the literature (GAB, Oswin, Hasley) were used to Jit the sorption data. The GAB equation gave the best fit to the experimental data. The porosity of the dehydrated products depended on the drying method, ranging between 0.2 and 0.5 Freeze- and vacuum-dried pectin developed the highest porosity, whereas the lowest porosity was obtained using conventional and microwave drying. Hunter colour parameters (L, a, b) also depended on the drying method. The colour of freeze- and vacuum-dried pectin was close to that of commercial pectin, while the colour of the conventional- and microwave-dried product changed significantly (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.