Drying characteristics of shrimp (Metapenaeus dobsoni) in electrical dryer

Abstract

Dried shrimp is one of the most important high value fishery products and it is commonly dried in open sun for 3 to 5 days. Drying of shrimps in a closed chamber is the best approach to avoid contamination by dust, dirt, birds, animals and spoilage due to rain, wind, moisture which are associated with open sun drying. In this study, an electrical cabinet dryer is used to investigate the drying characteristics of shrimp (Metapenaeus dobsoni). Shrimps were dried from the initial moisture content of 79–80 per cent to the final moisture content of 38–40 per cent . Experiments were carried out at the drying air temperature of 55 degree celsius and the air velocity of 0.8 m/s. Moisture content of shrimp was decreased with drying time and drying process occurred at falling rate drying period. Drying rate was decreased continuously with drying time. Moisture ratio vs drying time graph has been plotted and various drying models were fitted for describing the drying kinetics of shrimps in electrical dryer. Drying models were compared by calculating R 2, root mean square error and p values to obtain a best fit model which gives better agreement to the drying data.