Nevertheless,
a reduction in aw value due to drying, minimizes the loss of food
quality caused by microbial activity [14,30]. Water activity of cherry
samples was measured before and after drying (3 h from the end
of the process). For this purpose a few cherries were grinded in a
mortar, then were placed in the converter chamber until the equilibrium was reached. The measurements of aw changes are shown
in Fig. 5.