a b s t r a c tThree types of solutions (distilled water, aqueous ascorbic acid solution and aqueous citric acid solution) were sprayed periodically on the surface of fresh-cut Japanese pear during hot air drying at 40, 50 and 60 C. The effects of solution spraying on the drying kinetics, the surface hardening, and the sample discoloration were investigated. The drying rates of the sprayed samples increased 58e63, 16e19 and 20 e22% in comparison with those of the non-sprayed samples at 40, 50 and 60 C, respectively. The hardness of the sprayed samples decreased 12e24% and 2e9% compared to that of the non-sprayed samples, and the total color difference (DE) was 27e44 and 20e33% less compared the non-sprayed samples at 40 and 50 C, respectively.