Dehydration by osmosis and hot air of the níspero (Eriobotrya japonica)

Abstract

Objective: To describe the dehydration kinetics of 'níspero' (Eriobotrya japonica) by osmosis followed by hot air drying. Methodology: Osmosis was applied in sucrose solutions (40, 50 and 55°Brix; 5 h), measuring moisture, °Brix, weight loss (WL), water loss (WL) and solids gain (WG), with ANOVA for WL and WG. The osmodeshydrated samples were dried at 50°C and 60°C, determining moisture, °Brix and PP (ANOVA for PP). Acceptability was evaluated with 30 untrained panelists using Friedman's test. Results: After osmosis, moisture decreased significantly (67.56%, 61.07%, 57.96%; *p* < 0.05) and °Brix increased (31.75, 38.17, 41.25) with increasing osmotic concentration. PP was 17.39-27.99%, PA 29.32-43.40 g water/100g sample, and GS 11.93-15.41 g solids/100g sample, with significant differences in PA and GS (*p* < 0.05). After drying, final moisture was inversely proportional to concentration and temperature (50°C: 40.19-24.47%; 60°C: 35.81-23.11%). The °Brix increased (50°C: 46.00-51.83; 60°C: 47.50-52.83), and PP showed significant differences between treatments (50°C: 49.89-43.79%; 60°C: 49.34-45.86%; *p* < 0.05). The Friedman test detected significant differences (*p* < 0.05) in sensory acceptability. Conclusion: The optimum process combined osmosis at 55°Brix and drying at 60°C, maximizing moisture reduction and improving the quality of the final product.