EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND SLICE SIZE ON AVOCADO PULP DRYING RATE AND OIL YIELD

Abstract

The effect of temperature and slice thickness on avocado pulp drying rate and oil yield was
determined at 50 o C, 60 o C and 70 o C. Pulp slices of 2mm and 5 mm thick were used. The
avocado pulp was found to contain 74-75% (wet basis) water, which makes extraction of
oil by both chemical and mechanical means difficult. Experimental results showed that oil
yield increased with decreasing moisture content reaching a yield of 61% at 10% moisture
content. The rate of drying increased with temperature, but decreased with slice thickness.
The drying data obtained agreed well with several thin-layer drying models. The models
showed that the characteristic drying constant increased linearly with drying temperature
and decreased with slice thickness. The Physico-chemical properties of the obtained oil
compared favorably with those obtained from other conventional seed oils.