Drying parameters of half-cut and ground figs (ficus carica L.) var. mission and the effect on their functional properties

Abstract

Drying of ground and half-cut figs (Ficus carica L., var. Mission) was investigated at three temperatures (45, 55, and 65°C). Their effective moisture diffusivity (D eff) was estimated by using the slope method. D eff values for ground figs were 5.15 × 10-10, 9.96 × 10-10, 1.07 × 10-9 m2 s-1 and for half cut figs 5.88 × 10-10, 1.66 × 10-9, and 2.08 × 10-9 m2 s-1 at 45, 55, and 65°C, respectively. Dehydrating fig samples showed a similar behavior: higher D eff values at higher temperatures and activation energy (E a) values in the range of other foodstuffs. Half-cut figs needed about twice more energy and time than ground figs to carry out the dehydration; E a values were 56.86 and 28.21 kJ mol-1, respectively. The drying process increased the total phenolic content and degraded the anthocyanin content of figs; however, it enhanced the dried figs antioxidant activity. Dehydrating ground figs was faster and maintained its functional properties better than half-cut figs.