Infrared Drying
Infrared radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum,
ranging between 0.75 and 1,000 lm in wavelength. As a
food processing technique, it offers several advantages
including high heat transfer capacity, better process control
and uniform heating [101]. Notable effects of infrared
radiation on foods were that it increased porosity of banana[60], increased rehydration potential of onion (Mongpraneet
et al. 2002), reduced overall colour changes in pineapple
and potatoes in spite of high drying rates [105], gave
firmer-texture dried blueberries [96] and did not compromise
on product quality when used in combination with
freeze drying, as in sweet potatoes [62], yam and strawberries
[98].