Sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus Selenka, SC) was dried using far infrared radiation
drying (FIRD) and air drying (AD). The effect of the drying temperature of
FIRD and AD on the drying rate of SC was investigated. Temperatures varied at
60, 70 and 80C, with a constant air velocity (13.2 m/s). Thin-layer drying models
were applied to describe the drying process of SC with FIRD and AD. The Midilli
and Kucuk equation showed the best fit (R2 > 0.99). The effective moisture diffusivity
(Deff) was estimated by the diffusion model based on the Fick’s second law.
The Deff values of FIRD and AD treated samples varied in the range of 3.39 ¥ 10-10
to 5.16 ¥ 10-10 m2/s and 2.81 ¥ 10-10 to 3.81 ¥ 10-10 m2/s, respectively. The activation
energy (Ea) based on the drying temperature showed that the thermal sensitivity
of FIRD was higher than that of AD. The scanning electron microscope
images showed more damages on the surface of AD treated sample than that of
FIRD.