title: Drying characteristics and quality of red ginseng using far-infrared rays.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current typical drying methods for red ginseng are sun drying and hot-air drying. The purpose of this study was to investigate drying characteristics of red ginseng by using far-infrared drying.
  
  
  METHODS
  The far-infrared drying tests on red ginseng were conducted at two drying stages: (1) high temperature for 24 h drying and (2) low temperature drying until the final moisture content was 13 ± 0.5% (wet basis). The high temperature drying stage included three drying chamber temperature conditions of 60°C, 65°C, and 70°C. The low temperature drying stage was conducted at temperatures of 45°C and 50°C. Drying characteristics were analyzed based on factors such as drying rate, color changes, energy consumption, and saponin content. The results were compared with those of the hot-air and sun drying methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed that increases in drying temperature caused a decrease in drying time and energy consumption for far-infrared drying. The saponin content decreased under all drying conditions after drying, the highest value (11.34 mg/g) was observed at drying conditions of 60∼50°C. The sun drying condition showed the lowest color difference value when compared with far-infrared and hot-air drying.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The far-infrared drying showed a faster drying rate, higher saponin content, lower color difference value, and a decrease in energy consumption than seen in hot-air drying.
authors: Department of Agricultural Mechanization Engineering, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shen-yang, China.
authors: Xiaofeng
authors: X
authors: Ning
authors: Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk, South Korea.
authors: Junsoo
authors: J
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Biosystem Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk, South Korea.
authors: Chungsu
authors: C
authors: Han
keywords: drying characteristics; drying rate; far-infrared drying; red ginseng; saponin content