1. Introduction
Foods tend to deteriorate chemically and microbiologically during
storage due to their high water activity, which negatively influences
the nutritional value and sensory properties of the product as well as
the formation of detrimental compounds.
Therefore, various preservation methods have been improved to extend the shelf life of products since ancient times.
Drying is one of the oldest preservation techniques
inwhichmass and heat transfers occur simultaneously.
Meat products are dried for different aims such as powdered meat,
fermented sausages and dry-cured hams.
Dried meats are used as an ingredient in various
food products; for instance, dried chicken, sliced or cubic, can be added
to ready-to-eat noodle formulations.
Hot air drying is the most widely used method;
however, it causes the deterioration of aroma compounds the degradation of nutritional compounds and lipid oxidation.
Drying is the most expensive step during manufacturing of dried meat products due to the time and effort to control the system and preserve the product and the
energy consumed during the drying process.