The Application of Microwave combined with Solar Drying to produce Dried Shitake Mushroom

Abstract

Shiitake mushroom is one of the economic crops in Thailand. However, the mushroom shelf life is short time, therefore the mushroom processing could applied to extend its shelf life. Mushroom processing by solar drying combined microwave puffing is an interesting technique. The fresh mushroom preparation of experiment divides 2 groups, the first group is full size mushroom and half size of the second group. Then, it dried by various drying method i.e. natural air flow drying with solar energy, forced-air flow drying with solar energy, forced-air drying with solar energy combined microwave puffing and shade drying. The final dried products were evaluated in various qualities. The experimental results showed that the drying method significantly affected on dried mushroom quality and drying time. Forced-air drying with solar energy combined microwave puffing reduces drying time. In addition, the combined drying method provided the lowest degree of shrinkage resulted in the highest rehydration was obtained from such volumetric shrinkage of dried mushroom. However, the combined drying method resulted in more browning than that of other drying methods. Solar drying by forced air flow and half size of mushroom provided lower drying time.