Evaluation of Thin-Layer Models for Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Drying

Abstract

In the present research, seven well-known mathematical thin-layer drying models were fitted to mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) drying experimental data, implementing nonlinear regression analysis techniques. The experiments were conducted in two laboratory-scale dryers. A range of temperatures 50–65°C and air velocities 1.0–5.0 m/s were tested. The statistical analysis concluded that the best model in terms of fitting performance was the logarithmic model. Correlations expressing this model parameter dependence with the drying air coefficients are also reported.

Keywords:

• Drying curves
• Drying models
• Drying of mushrooms
• Thin-layer drying

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The project is cofinanced by the European Social Fund and National resources EPEAEK and YPEPTH (Research program “Pythagoras”).