Dry-curing of melon by infrared-convective method

The article presents the results of research on drying melon of the Torpeda variety in an infrared-convective dryer. The purpose of the study is to develop a method for drying melon using artificial drying, which will ensure reducing of duration of the process, as well as reducing contamination of the product. To solve this problem, a technology for infrared-convective drying of melon has been developed, including preparation of raw materials, peeling and removing seeds, washing, cutting, blanching in a 0.2% solution of citric acid for 3 minutes, infraredconvective drying of slices in a dryer cabinet "Universal-SD-4" at the temperature of heaters 50÷70 0C and an air speed of 7 m/s, holding at room temperature for 24 hours to moisture levelling, packaging and storage. The study discovered that the combination of infrared heating and convective removal of evaporated moisture made it possible to significantly intensify the dehydration process. It maintains good organoleptic characteristics compared to air-solar drying as well. The duration of the process varied from 5 to 8 hours instead of several days when drying in the sun. All curves are characterized by clearly defined periods of the beginning of drying, constant and decreasing drying rate. The optimal mode of infrared-convective drying is a temperature of 55 0C and a slice size of 50×50×15 mm, which ensures an elastic texture and light color of dried products. A study of the chemical composition showed that carbohydrates predominate in dried slices (79.8%), and the energy value of 100 g of product is 1348.8 kJ or 322 kcal. The research results contribute to the development of theory and technology of melon drying. The use of the developed method of infrared-convective drying will expand the possibility of industrial processing of melon.