Original Articles
Sattar Husain and Mohammad Maz
Abstract
In this study drying characteristics of papaya (Carica papaya L.) were investigated to study the influence of microwave power, effective moisture diffusivity and geometry on drying rate. Experiments were carried out using a household microwave oven (Kenstar KK23SSL2). Papaya (Carica papaya L.) samples were cut into three geometries (cylindrical, conical and cuboidal) and were subjected to 800 W, 640 W, 480 W and 320 W microwave power. Henderson and Pabis model equation for drying was used for fitting the experimental data of drying papaya (Carica papaya L.). Statistical analysis software Data Fit 9.0 was used to evaluate the goodness of fit using coefficient of determination values (R2). For all geometries and power input, effective moisture diffusivity was calculated. The model equation was used to simulate the drying equation in MATLAB. Results revealed that Henderson and Pabis model described the drying of papaya (Carica papaya L.) very accurately. Effective moisture diffusivity values calculated were found to resonate with the values available in literature. The simulation model in MATLAB gave reasonable results meaning thereby that simulation model captured the drying behavior of papaya (Carica papaya L.) fairly good.