Investigation on drying of cocoa beans using a solar dryer and the traditional sundrying method

Abstract

Investigations were carried out on the performance of a partially enclosed solar dryer and traditional sundrying method for drying cocoa beans. The solar dryer attained a significantly higher temperature, lower humidity, faster rate of drying (78 hours compared with 172 hours) and less-moldiness, no germinated beans, no insect infestation after drying when compared with the traditional sun drying method. The solar dryer was significantly more efficient, gave better quality product and reduced drudgery than the traditional sundrying. It also gave a benefit of 38.7% increase in income to the farmer than using the traditional sundrying.

Keyword: Drying, Cocoa beans, solar dryer, traditional Sundrying.