A novel method for air drying aloe leaf slices by covering with filter papers as a shrink-proof layer

Dataset on influence of drying variables on properties of cassava foam produced from white- and yellow-fleshed cassava varieties

Freshly harvested cassava has a tendency to deteriorate rapidly in its physiological properties after harvest. Therefore, cassava is often processed using a number of unit operations in order to derive a stable, storable product of acceptable eating quality. Among the unit operations employed, drying is considered as one of the oldest and most important process in arresting deterioration of cassava. In recent times, more researchers are considering foam mat drying as a drying technique for tuber or root crops, although the technique is used, ideally, for fruit juices and dairy. Cassava foam production from white and yellow cassava varieties has been optimized in our previous work [1]. Our data were procured from experimentally measuring mass of cassava foams of white and yellow cassava varieties dried at different temperatures (50, 65, 80 °C) and foam thicknesses (6, 8, 10 mm) over regular drying intervals until no considerable mass change was observed. The mass measurements are the primary datasets used in determination of secondary datasets presented here as moisture removal ratio (MR), effective moisture diffusivity (D_eff), and drying rate (DR). The MR data were fitted to four thin-layer drying models (Henderson-Pabis, Page, Newton, Two-term), and Page model described the experimental drying data best. The Page model coefficients were analyzed by multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis to show how they are influenced by the drying variables. Drying rate was also fitted by Rational model to fit the DR data and to reflect the two falling rates found. Statistical accuracy and significance were calculated as coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE) and Chi square (χ²) and an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Data obtained here are useful as primary data in process and dryer designs and processing of cassava in the cassava industry.

Rheological and functional properties of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) leaves puree

Pureed form of leaves (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Roselle)) was taken for physicochemical and rheological analysis at temperatures and TSS range of 278 K - 318 K and 3 - 5 °Brix respectively. The steady-state rheological analysis was performed with a shear rate of 1 - 100 s-1. Different rheological models are tried; Power-law was best fitted with the experimental data (R2 ≥0.98). Temperature dependence of viscosity was found out using an Arrhenius-type relationship at a shear rate of 10, 50, 100 s-1 IR analysis was done to know the influence of functional groups on rheological properties of purees. Consistency index (K) of puree increases with increase in TSS content but at a fixed TSS, there is a decrease in K with an increase in temperatures but the opposite was observed for flow behavior index (n). Puree showed a shear thinning behavior with an increment in temperature level and puree having 5 °Brix (8.37) has higher activation energy (kJ.mol-1) than 3 °Brix (6.32).