Effects of freeze vacuum drying and heating from condenser's heat loss on drying rate and microstructure of aloe vera

This study presents an effect heating from condenser's heat loss from top and bottom positions of the extraction process using freeze vacuum drying on drying rate, drying time and microstructure of aloe vera. Extraction by thermal process involves removing water contained inside the aloe vera and releasing it into the environment. Freeze Vacuum Drying (FVD) can be used to extract aloe vera without impairing its structure, color or nutritional value although the process requires a high level of energy consumption. Results of the experiments showed that capturing and using heat from a condenser's heat loss increased the drying rate and reduced drying time. Heater temperatures at the top and bottom positions were 22 and 30°C, respectively for a combination heater temperature at the top was 26 and 24°C at the bottom changes in microstructure were examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).