Development of low cost solar rack dryer and comparative biochemical quality evaluation of anchovies (Stolephorus commersonii) dried in sun and solar rack dryer

Abstract

A low cost solar rack dryer was fabricated with an aim to popularise hygienic drying of fish among fisherwomen and it was evaluated for drying of Anchovy (Stolephorus commersonii) at Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It was observed that on an average the solar dryer attained 17.5 % higher temperature than the ambient temperature. Within a total drying time of 13 h, the moisture content of the fish reduced from about 81.97% to 28.87% and 34.43% by the solar rack dryer and open sun drying respectively. There was significant differences in the moisture content, crude protein and ash content of fish dried using the two methods with the solar rack dried fishes significantly faring better. The values of biochemical quality indicators like Total Volatile Base Nitrogen and Peroxide value were significantly low in solar rack dried fishes indicating a longer shelf life of these fishes. Hence it can be concluded that wide scale dissemination of the low cost solar rack dryer among the coastal fisherwomen population will help them to earn better returns in their occupation through sale of the hygienic dry fish.