Quality Characteristics of Cold-air and Infrared-dried Peaches

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the pH, soluble solid contents, color difference, mineral contents, free sugar contents, and sensory quality of infrared-and cold-air-dried peaches. The pH, soluble solid contents, and free sugar contents of the infrared-dried peaches were higher than those of the cold-air-dried peaches. In the Hunter's color value, the L and ΔE values of the infrared-dried peaches were higher than those of the cold-air-dried peaches; but the a and b values of the cold-air-dried peaches were higher than those of the infrared-dried peaches. The major organic acids of the dried peaches were citric acid, malic acid, and oxalic acid. The minerals with the highest to lowest contents, in that order, were K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Al. The mineral contents of the cold-air-dried peaches were higher than those of the infrared-dried peaches. The appearance and taste of the infrared-dried peaches were better than those of the cold-air-dried peaches. These results indicate that infrared drying is the effective drying method for the production of high-quality dried peaches.