2. Drying Characteristic Review
2.1 Drying Rate
Drying is a simple process to reduce moisture content from raw food products to prevent quality deterioration and to preserve it for long period of time [11]. Decreasing of the water activity will maintain food quality by reducing microbial growth and undesired chemical reaction [12]. It was found that the deterioration or spoilage of fish is particularly due to bacteria [13]. Generally, product moisture content must be reduced to about 5%-10% in order to incapacitate the microbial growth [14]. However, the dried fish has less rigorous requirement of moisture content. The maximum moisture content of dried fish can be 25% to avoid microbial growth, and 15% to avoid mushroom deterioration [15].