Effect of blanching treatment on drying time and the quality of hybrid system solar dried red chilli

Abstract

This research aims to determine the effect of blanching treatment and the effectiveness of hybrid system solar dryer for drying red chilli. The dried red chilli quality parameters such as moisture content, total microba and L*, a*, b* for colour values were determined. The experimental results showed the drying box of hybrid system solar drying can reach maximum temperature from 55.2oC to 57.1oC. Blanching treatment combined with hybrid system of solar drying shortened drying time, gave lower moisture content and lower total plate count of dried red chilli compared with nonblanched-conventional drying.