Drying and conservation conditions of pollen

In this study, drying and conservation conditions of pollens (for Anzer Hon ey) were experimentally investigated, and the general drying curve equation was derived by applying the Least Squares Method. Drying experiments were conducted in solar- and electric-assisted dryers. Pollens were placed on th e shelves as 50 each g in a single layer having a depth of 2.5mm. During th e drying experiments, the shelf temperatures of the drying cupboard were re gulated between 40 degrees C and 45 degrees C. Weight losses, moisture cont ents and mass shrinkage of pollens and average temperatures in the shelves were determined and calculated based on drying time. Additionally, the expe rimental uncertainty values were calculated as approximately 18%, depending on the experimental results. It was concluded that pollens should be dried at temperatures between 40 degrees C and 45 degrees C for between 2.5 and 3 h so as not to change the colour, flavour, smell and structure, and conse rved in brown bottles under vacuum in a shady medium. (C) 2000 Society of C hemical Industry.