DRYING PEANUTS USING A HORIZONTAL RACK TYPE DRYING MACHINE (MULTI SMART SEED DRAYER)

Abstract

Peanuts are a horticultural product that has high nutritional content, but peanuts are semi-perishable so they have a short shelf life. The high water content of peanuts can be reduced by drying. The drying method using a horizontal rack type drying machine is able to optimize the drying process, especially for seeds, because it can be done at the desired time so that peanuts can have a longer shelf life. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of a horizontal rack type drying machine on the drying characteristics of peanut seeds in the form of water content, drying rate and differences in temperature, humidity and length of drying time. The research method used was using a rack type drying machine utilizing the working principle of the MSSD (Multi Seed Smart Drayer) machine and initial water content measurements were carried out using the gravimetric method. The data on changes in seed mass were then analyzed to obtain data on the decrease in water content and drying rate. Temperature and humidity data are obtained from data loggers. Based on the analysis that has been carried out, the values ​​for drying characteristics of peanut seeds as well as changes in temperature and humidity show different values ​​for each shelf. After drying for 6 hours, the initial water content of peanut seeds which was 23.80% was reduced to 17.20%.