Hot air-assisted continuous infrared dryer for anchovy fish drying

Abstract

This study was performed to assess the application of a hot air-assisted continuous infrared dryer for anchovy drying and to examine the drying characteristics of small- and large-sized anchovy fish. Experiments were carried out at the infrared radiation intensities of 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 W/m2 and IR source-sample distances of 5, 10, 15 cm. The impact of IR intensity and distance between the IR source and sample on moisture content, drying efficiency, drying time, specific energy consumption, water activity, rehydration ratio, shrinkage, and surface color change were evaluated using statistical analysis. The most efficient drying parameters were observed at 2,000 W/m2, 10 cm, and 2,000 W/m2, 5 cm for small and large anchovy fish, respectively, based on the drying and quality characteristics of dried anchovy fish. This study ensured the potential application of a hot air-assisted infrared drying system to acquire dried anchovy fish with increased shelf life.