Infrared, Convective, and Sequential Infrared and Convective Drying of Wine Grape Pomace

In this paper, effects of infrared drying and/or convective drying on drying kinetics of wine grape pomace were examined, and drying characteristics, sterilizing efficacy, and effects on pomace's polyphenols and pro-anthocyanidins content were determined. Infrared drying had the highest drying rate, which reduced the drying time by more than 47.3% compared with other methods. Sequential infrared and convective drying had a faster drying rate than convective drying. Five empirical models were chosen to fit the drying curves and the Midilli et al. model had the highest R (2) and lowest RMSE and chi (2) . For sterilizing efficacy, infrared drying and convective drying (90 degrees C) performed the best with minimum survival yeasts, molds and bacteria, while higher drying temperatures resulted in better pasteurization efficacy. Sequential infrared and convective drying did not yield a satisfactory sterilizing effect, with efficacy not being enhanced by prolonging the infrared drying. The wine grape pomace dried by infrared drying had the highest content of polyphenols and pro-anthocyanidins, showing that decreasing the drying temperature led to less damage to these two substances.