Analisis Pengeringan Jagung dan Kunyit dengan Alat Chamber Surya

Abstract

Postharvest losses caused by high moisture content remain a major issue in agricultural commodities in Indonesia. Traditional open-sun drying has several limitations, including dependence on weather conditions, long drying periods, and a high risk of contamination. This study aimed to analyze temperature distribution across each tray of a chamber-type solar dryer and evaluate the drying characteristics of corn (Zea mays L.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) based on mass reduction, moisture content, and drying rate. The experiment was conducted using a 10 kg capacity chamber solar dryer equipped with 10 drying trays, with 900 g of material placed on each tray. Temperature and mass measurements were recorded every 15 minutes over a total drying period of 38 hours. Solar radiation intensity ranged from 271 to 812 W/m², while drying chamber temperatures varied between 45-54°C. Corn moisture content decreased from approximately 30% to 13%, while turmeric experienced a significant weight reduction, reaching the target moisture content of 13–14%. The relatively uniform temperature distribution promoted more even drying, indicating that chamber solar drying is an effective, hygienic, and environmentally friendly postharvest technology.