Effect of Drying Temperature on Proximate Composition and Viability of Maize Dried in a Solar Biomass Hybrid Dryer

Abstract

Maize is an important cereal produced for food and feed and its nutritional composition and viability could be affected when subjected to inappropriate  drying conditions. This study investigated the effects of drying temperature on the proximate composition and viability of maize grains dried at different  levels in a solar biomass hybrid dryer. Proximate analysis was performed using standard A.O.A.C. methods. Germination test was done using sterilized  Petri–dishes lined with filter papers to determine the viability of dried grains. Overall mean temperature, 43.63 ± 8.6 ˚C in the dryer was 9 ˚C higher than  the average ambient temperature. The moisture content (MC) of grains in the dryer reduced from average 17 % to 11 % (w.b.) in 8 h at an average drying  rate of 0.64 %/h. The overall drying efficiency was 12.7 % compared to 5.7 % for the open-sun drying process. The viability of grains dried in the dryer  (avg. 95%) compared favourably to the viability of sun-dried grains (96%). The results show that, the temperature in the dryer had no adverse effect on  the proximate nutritional composition and viability of dried maize grains. The adoption of solar biomass hybrid dryers for use by smallholder farmers is  encouraged due to its suitability in providing a viable drying option to open-sun drying.