Experimental evaluation of a passive indirect solar dryer for agricultural products in Central Mozambique

Post-harvest losses are one of the major livelihood challenges for farmers in Global South. The use drying technologies to preserve agricultural products has been promoted as a particular solution address this challenge. In regard, we designed and tested passive indirect solar dryer an alternative open sun (OSD) Gurue district, Central Mozambique, using amaranth leaves maize. addition, sensorial analysis was conducted by randomly selecting group 60 adults who evaluated texture, aroma color dried maize grains. Compared OSD, reduced time increased thermal efficiency. Evaluation sensory quality attributes showed that outperforms OSD. Practical applications This study evaluates performance dryer, sustainable conventional food preservation (e.g., refrigeration) not affordable resource-constrained communities. dryers, if carried out correctly, creates possibility poor rural households safely store increase shelf life food. acceptability is evaluated. Thus, also provides insights on potential preserving final product.