Durian CV. Monthong was subjected to microwave vacuum drying (at 13.33 kPa) to produce durian chips.
Various levels of microwave power (3.88Wg1, 5.49Wg1 and 7.23Wg1) were used. Prior to the
microwave vacuum drying, the sliced durian was either chilled at 4 C or frozen at 18 C. Both pretreatments
yielded non-significant difference in dissipation factor (p > 0.05). Among several thin layer models,
the Page model was found to be the best for explaining the drying characteristics of durian chips. An
increase in the microwave power intensity produced a clear increase in the drying rate and did not affect
lightness and yellowness of the durian chips (p > 0.05). The structure and hardness of the dried durian
chips were comparable to that of conventionally fried durian chips. In addition, microwave vacuum drying
reduced the fat content of the durian chips by at least 90%, compared with conventionally deep fried
durian chips.