Effects of chemical pretreatments on air-drying process of black mulberry (Morus nigra L.)

For drying as the preservation method, black mulberries (Morus nigra L.) placed into sample bags were dipped into one of six different chemical solutions for one Minute at room temperature to accelerate the moisture loss. Pretreated black mulberry samples were dehydrated by artificial air-drying, solar drying and open suit drying. The samples treated by 2% ethyl oleate were the fastest ones reaching to the final weight loss percentage (75%) in 22 h by the laboratory tray dryer providing 45.2 degrees C drying air (artificial air drying) and in 90 h by solar drying. The pretreatment combination caused only slight changes in measured color values Of mulberries during all drying trials.