EVALUATION OF DRYING BEHAVIOR AND SENSORY QUALITY OF TARO (Colocasia esculenta) LEAVES USING A VERTICAL-TYPE MECHANICAL DRYER

     The general objective of this study is to determine the drying behavior and sensory qualities of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) leaves using a vertical-type mechanical dryer. It was conducted at the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Complex Mindanao State University - General Santos City.

     Drying air temperatures of 47°C and airflow rates of full-open (1.32 m /min) and half-open (1.1 m/min) were used in this study. The target moisture content of 12% was obtained from an initial moisture content of 89.25% of Taro leaves. The results showed that the drying rate and drying time are not significantly affected by airflow rates. Higher airflow rate produced a higher drying rate with lower drying time and consequently the moisture content decreased faster. Moreover, as drying time decreases the electrical consumption of the vertical type mechanical dryer reduces.

     The sensory parameters of dried taro leaves were not significantly affected by different drying methods and treatment combinations. Results imply that among the various treatment combinations the better results were obtained in treatment half-open with (1.1 m/min) airflow rate and with 47°C in temperature.