Study on Drying Kinetics of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.)

Tamarind at the moisture content of 25.96% on dry basis was dried under open sun and at cabinet dryer at 50°C, 60°C and 70°C in order to study its drying kinetics. Polynomial equations were arrived relating moisture content of tamarind with drying time for all the methods of drying mentioned above. This equations help to get tamarind at desired moisture content for given method of drying. It was observed thatthe mechanical drying of tamarind at 70^ïC had highest moisture removal rate followed by mechanical drying at 60^ïC. Drying of tamarind occurred in the falling rate period and constant rate period was not found.