Drying Characteristics of Fenugreek and Its Computer Simulation for Automatic Operation

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.) is the member of Leguminosae family. It is widely cultivated in warm temperate and tropical regions in the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asia. The major seed producing countries are India, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Turkey. In India, the seeds are used in curries, dyes, and medicines and young seedlings are often eaten as a vegetable. In Europe and North America, the seed is used for its pharmaceutical qualities, as a spice, as an imitation maple, vanilla, rum or butterscotch flavoring, and in health food. Fenugreek leaves are rich in vitamin C, protein and minerals. It has some medicinal values. Primary among them includes its ability to lower sugar levels in the blood of diabetics. Other includes its digestive properties and usages as emollient. India is the largest producer and exporter of fenugreek in the world with 113 MMT production in 93000 ha area. Over 90% of the Indian production is concentrated in Rajasthan and Gujarat of which around 33% – 34% is exported. (Anon 2013)

[1]  Piotr P. Lewicki,et al.  Effect of hot air temperature on mechanical properties of dried apples , 2004 .

[2]  K. Saçılık,et al.  Drying kinetics of Üryani plum in a convective hot-air dryer , 2006 .

[3]  E. Akpinar.  Determination of suitable thin layer drying curve model for some vegetables and fruits , 2006 .

[4]  L. Diamante,et al.  Mathematical modelling of the thin layer solar drying of sweet potato slices , 1993 .

[5]  H. B. Sowbhagya,et al.  Effect of Drying Methods on the Quality Characteristics of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Greens , 2012 .

[6]  A. Keyhani,et al.  Determination of suitable thin layer drying curve model for apple slices (variety-Golab) , 2010 .

[7]  V. K. Pande,et al.  Solar drying of coriander and methi leaves. , 2000 .

[8]  P. Negi,et al.  Effect of drying conditions on quality of green leaves during long term storage. , 2001 .

[9]  R. Lamuela-Raventós,et al.  Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent , 1999 .

[10]  E. Akpinar,et al.  Thin layer drying of red pepper , 2003 .

[11]  Y. Chiu,et al.  Optimization of extrusion of flaxseeds for in vitro protein digestibility analysis using response surface methodology , 2008 .

[12]  K. Górnicki,et al.  Drying curve modelling of blanched carrot cubes under natural convection condition , 2007 .

[13]  M. Pala,et al.  Effects of pretreatments on the quality of open‐air and solar dried apricots , 1996 .

[14]  I. Dincer,et al.  An Analytical Model for Moisture Diffusion in Solid Objects During Drying , 1995 .

[15]  Sidney A. Williams,et al.  Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists , 1971, Soil Science Society of America Journal.

[16]  W. Routray,et al.  Mathematical modeling of thin layer drying kinetics of stone apple slices. , 2012 .

[17]  N. Mohsenin.  Physical properties of plant and animal materials , 1970 .

[18]  Z. Maroulis,et al.  Moisture Diffusivity Data Compilation in Foodstuffs , 1996 .

[19]  Shilpi Gupta,et al.  Effect of different drying temperatures on the moisture and phytochemical constituents of edible Irish brown seaweed , 2011 .

[20]  R. K. Goyal,et al.  Effects of pretreatments and drying air temperature on drying behaviour of peach slice , 2007 .

[21]  B. Özbek,et al.  Estimation of Effective Moisture Diffusivity of Okra for Microwave Drying , 2007 .

[22]  D. R. Pangavhane,et al.  Drying behaviour of brined onion slices , 1999 .

[23]  C. Ertekin,et al.  Mathematical modeling of thin layer solar drying of sultana grapes , 2001 .

[24]  P. S. Madamba.  Thin Layer Drying Models for Osmotically Pre-dried Young Coconut , 2003 .

[25]  I. Doymaz,et al.  Air-drying characteristics of tomatoes , 2007 .

[26]  P. J. Fito,et al.  Effect of air drying temperature on the quality of rehydrated dried red bell pepper (var. Lamuyo) , 2008 .

[27]  S. Pandey,et al.  PROCESSING QUALITY POTATOES IN INDIA -AN ESTIMATE OF INDUSTRY'S DEMAND , 2007 .

[28]  Wijitha Senadeera,et al.  Influence of shapes of selected vegetable materials on drying kinetics during fluidized bed drying , 2003 .

[29]  M. Maskan,et al.  Hot air and sun drying of grape leather (pestil) , 2002 .