Transformation of Discarded Pumpkin into High-Value Powder: A Drying Process Model for Functional Food Ingredients
Open Access
Abstract
Large quantities of pumpkins, rich in valuable nutrients, are lost due to superficial imperfections or size variations. This study explores a solution: transforming this unused resource into a highly functional food ingredient-pumpkin powder obtained from dehydration. This study emphasizes the importance of a detailed particle-level mathematical model in dehydrator design and operation, particularly for drying conditions using air at temperatures between 333 K and 353 K. The model investigates the effect of sample geometry on the moisture reduction rate and the product quality. Here, a model considers mass and energy transport, including the shrinkage ratio of the samples. The results effectively demonstrate the deformation, moisture content, and temperature evolution within the samples throughout the drying process. The findings reveal that both the drying temperature and initial sample geometry significantly influence the moisture loss rate, the final product texture, and the powder’s absorption capacity. Notably, the nutritional composition (except for lipids) remains largely unaffected by the drying process. Additionally, the bulk and compacted densities of the powders decrease with increasing temperature. These insights not only illuminate the performance of the drying process but also provide valuable knowledge regarding the dehydrated product’s technological behavior and potential functionalities within various food applications.Keywords
Funding Information
- University of San Juan (PDTS I1471 y E1245 Res.1499/23, PIN 2022-04/I260, PIP 2021–2023-11220200100950CO, PICT 2019-01810, 20)
- University of Comahue (PDTS I1471 y E1245 Res.1499/23, PIN 2022-04/I260, PIP 2021–2023-11220200100950CO, PICT 2019-01810, 20)
- CONICET-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (PDTS I1471 y E1245 Res.1499/23, PIN 2022-04/I260, PIP 2021–2023-11220200100950CO, PICT 2019-01810, 20)
- ANPCyT-FONCyT (PDTS I1471 y E1245 Res.1499/23, PIN 2022-04/I260, PIP 2021–2023-11220200100950CO, PICT 2019-01810, 20)
- ONCYT-PICTA RESOL-2022-87 Project (PDTS I1471 y E1245 Res.1499/23, PIN 2022-04/I260, PIP 2021–2023-11220200100950CO, PICT 2019-01810, 20)
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