Abstract Drying behavior, moisture sorption isotherm
(MSI), glass transition temperatures (Tg) and different quality
parameters of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) as affected
by drying (sun and solar) was investigated. Drying of tomato
under sun displayed a higher rate of moisture loss than
those dried in solar drier. However, both the samples finished
the drying process after 52 h. Sun and solar dried tomatoes
displayed a Tg of −12 °C. When tested against different water
activities (Aw), Tg decreased with an increase of Aw. MSI
revealed that the relation between Aw and moisture content
was found to be exponential (y=15.959e1.5175x, R2=0.9944).
Analysis of different quality parameters and antioxidative activity
revealed that drying process was known to decrease
lycopene, vitamin C, total phenolic and flavonoid content as
well as decreased activities was displayed in different antioxidative
assays when compared to fresh tomato. Among the
samples dried under sun and inside solar drier, there was no
significant difference in lycopene and vitamin C content
(p