Physical and milling quality of solar regenerated desiccant dried paddy

S. Wahid and M. Ahmad Hajazi

Abstract

Two drying methods of slow drying process for partially dried paddy were studied. Firstly, solar regenerated desiccant drying at a temperature of 27.0 ± 0.5 °C and relative humidity of 63.8 ± 5.3%. Secondly, air heated drying at a temperature of 31.0 ± 2.8 °C and relative humidity of 66.0 ± 10.2%. Partially dried paddy at moisture content of 18.1% and 20.2% were used in the first and second experiments respectively. The drying period was 13 days (130 h) and 10 days (120 h) respectively. Physical and milling qualities were analysed. Apparently only cracked grain and rice whiteness were significantly different at p = 0.01. The cracked grain is lower and rice whiteness is higher through the solar regenerated desiccant drying compared to air heated drying.

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