Drying characteristics and water dynamics during microwave hot-air flow rolling drying of Pleurotus eryngii

The aim of this study was to improve the drying uniformity and quality of Pleurotus eryngii by using the combination of microwave drying and hot-air flow rolling drying. The moisture content, drying uniformity, and water migration of P. eryngii during microwave hot-air flow rolling drying (MARD) were analyzed in detail. The temperature distribution images were obtained via infrared thermal imaging techniques and the relationship between relaxation time and signal amplitude were obtained via low-field nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and imaging (LF-NMR/MRI). The curves of signal amplitude with moisture content changes were fitted by a linear model with good linearity correlation. It was found that the hot-air and rolling bed could improve the drying uniformity of microwave drying. And the free water was found to transform into immobilized water and bound water during the drying process. Only a small amount of water was left in the dried P. eryngii in the final stage. The results could provide supportive information for improving the uniformity and quality of the drying processes of the edible fungi.