Influence of drying methods on drying of bell-pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Drying of bell-pepper was carried out using sun solar and artificial air drying methods. The drying curves and rates obtained indicated that drying of bell-pepper was done in two drying rate periods, the constant drying rate period (mainly) and the falling drying rate period. The existence of the constant drying rate period was more pronounced in the artificial air-drying method than in the other two drying methods and the drying process was also faster. This was attributed to the effect of temperature of drying air on the diffusion of water from internal regions to the surface of the product.