With the help of solar energy ovens, vegetables and fruits will be dried faster, compared to their traditional methods, a Turkish firm announced Tuesday.
Fruits and vegetables, which are suitable for drying process, are managed to be dried at maximum 55 celsius degree without any contamination, head of Arslanlar Danismanlik, Yilmaz Kartal, told Anadolu Agency.
Traditional sun drying method takes more than two days, and always risky for vegetables and fruits, while they can be contaminated without sterilization, he explained.
Kartal, who is also the owner of the firm, told that solar oven system not only enables users to dry fruits and vegetables, but it also helps to save energy and time.
"This new technology allows us to dry products within 24 to 48 hours," he said.
"We can dry the products in a short time, and also save nutritional value of vegetables and fruits." Kartal added.
He also mentioned that it is possible to keep the solar oven operating during the night.
In addition, he said that traditional sun drying method works best in areas such as the southeastern and Aegean regions of Turkey, but with the solar technology it will be possible to dry anywhere that receive enough sunshine.
The firm has one facility in Canakkale, a city located in western Turkey.
Arslanlar Danismanlik has the capacity to dry 500 kilograms of vegetables in one section of its facility, while a ton of fruit and vegetables can be dried in another section.
Currently, the facility dries pumpkin seed, tomato and apple. In summer, the facility will be able to dry other types of agriculture products.
Reporting by Mehmet Bayer
Writing by Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
gulsen.cagatay@aa.com.tr
