Effects of different drying methods on physicochemical properties of salted plum.

Five drying methods were applied on the salted plum,including forced convection drying,natural convection drying,oven drying,greenhouse drying,and natural sun drying.And their effects on the physicochemical properties of ganshimei were studied.The results showed that the drying times of forced convection drying,natural convection drying and oven drying were 70% shorter than those of greenhouse drying and natural sun drying methods.The plum treated with solar drying method showed special aroma,which was not found with oven drying method.The chew-sense and hardness of the salted plum treated by greenhouse drying and natural sun drying methods were lower than those by other methods.The salted plum treated with forced convection drying showed the best sensory quality.