2.3.1. Solar-drying
Algate Solar Dryer (A.S.D) was used in this investigation.Algate dryer is a dryer in which black polythene is spread
over a plane concrete or hard dried soil surface and the materials to be dried are placed on it. The black surface as well as the samples absorbs the solar radiation quickly, as a result, there is an increase in the heat inside the dryer which causes the faster removal of moisture from the product whichare placed for drying. There is no temperature control system. So, the effect of temperature on the rate of drying cannot be determined. The blanched and sulphited (pre-treated) carrot slices were placed on a stainless steel tray to dry in the solar dryer. The tray load was 0.75 lb of prepared carrot slices per
square ft. The time required for removal of moisture to safe level (5 to 7% moisture) was 16-20 hours and temperature was at a range of 30-60°C. The dried carrot slices were cooled, packed in polyethylene bags. After sealing the dried carrots were stored at room temperature in the laboratory for further investigations.