Energy Indices and Drying Behaviour of Alligator Pepper Pods (Aframomum Melegueta) as Influenced by Applied Microwave Power

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of applied microwave power on the
energy indices and drying behaviour of alligator pepper pods
(Aframomum melegueta) is reported. Experimental tests were
performed at various levels of applied microwave (MW) power levels
(120, 230, 380, 540, and 700 W) with a batch size of 60.85 ± 0.5 g of
the sample pods. The study objectives were to investigate the impact
of different MW-power ratings on the specific energy demand, energy
efficiency, energy loss, and drying behaviour of alligator pepper pods.
The drying process which occurred in the falling rate phase had its
data fitted into 8 commonly used empirical models. Statistical
indicators found the Page model most apt in predicting the drying
behaviour of the pod samples. Results revealed that the drying time
varied between 8.0 - 14.6 mins at MW-powers of 120 and 700 W,
respectively.