An apparatus and method for providing a simpler and more robust mechanism for transporting materials to be dried through a vacuum microwave chamber in rotating containers. The apparatus (20) has a vacuum chamber (22), an input end (26) to introduce a container (24) into the chamber, and a discharge end (28) to remove the container. The container has spur gear teeth (60) extending along its outer circumferential surface. The apparatus has a single roller (42) having spur gear teeth (46) extending along its outer circumferential surface. The spur gear teeth of the roller mesh with the spur gear teeth of the container such that rotation of the roller about its longitudinal axis rotates the container. The apparatus also includes means for holding the container on the roller, means for moving the container through the chamber, a microwave generator 76 arranged for transmission of microwave radiation from the generator into the chamber, and means for reducing pressure inside the chamber.

Process for the production legume meal having a moisture content between 2% and 15%. The process includes feeding a continuous flow of legume meal into a wet heat treatment reactor together with a continuous flow of water or aqueous solution, which is dispersed into minute droplets; discharge the wet legume meal and feeding it into a thermal dehydration and treatment reactor.

Process for the production legume meal having a moisture content between 2% and 15%. The process includes feeding a continuous flow of legume meal into a wet heat treatment reactor together with a continuous flow of water or aqueous solution, which is dispersed into minute droplets; discharge the wet legume meal and feeding it into a thermal dehydration and treatment reactor.

Process for the production legume meal having a moisture content between 2% and 15%. The process includes feeding a continuous flow of legume meal into a wet heat treatment reactor together with a continuous flow of water or aqueous solution, which is dispersed into minute droplets; discharge the wet legume meal and feeding it into a thermal dehydration and treatment reactor.

Process for the production legume meal having a moisture content between 2% and 15%. The process includes feeding a continuous flow of legume meal into a wet heat treatment reactor together with a continuous flow of water or aqueous solution, which is dispersed into minute droplets; discharge the wet legume meal and feeding it into a thermal dehydration and treatment reactor.

The present invention relates to a method of processing plant material to provide products such as food products, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and fertilizers. In particular, the invention relates to the processing of fruit and vegetable material to provide a product that can be used as a food source, dietary supplement or a pharmaceutical. Even more particularly, the invention relates to a method of drying fruit and vegetable material to provide a dried product that can be used as a food source, dietary supplement or a pharmaceutical.

The present invention relates to a method of processing plant material to provide products such as food products, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and fertilizers. In particular, the invention relates to the processing of fruit and vegetable material to provide a product that can be used as a food source, dietary supplement or a pharmaceutical. Even more particularly, the invention relates to a method of drying fruit and vegetable material to provide a dried product that can be used as a food source, dietary supplement or a pharmaceutical.

A method is provided for improving drying efficiency for producing a dried edible plant composition while keeping a characteristic and fresh flavor and color tone inherently possessed by a food product using an edible plant without requiring special equipment or conditions, and a dried edible plant composition having improved quality obtained by this method. A method is provided for producing a dried edible plant composition that contains a non-edible part of an edible plant, in a dried state, in an amount of 3% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less based on the total mass of an edible part and the non-edible part. The method includes crushing and mixing the edible part and the non-edible part, and drying until a moisture content reaches 20% by mass or less by forced-air drying at a temperature of 20° C. or more and 80° C. or less.

A method of making a porous, dehydrated food product comprises subjecting a food product to pulsed electric field treatment to form pores in the cell membranes of the food product, freezing the treated food product, and exposing the treated frozen food product to microwave radiation in a vacuum chamber at a pressure that is less than atmospheric and at which the boiling point of water is above 0 C., causing the frozen food product to thaw and water to evaporate to produce the porous, dehydrated product. The process is faster than freeze-drying and consumes less energy. The pulsed electric field treatment does not result in structural damage to the product, despite the thawing of the frozen product during the drying process.

A method of making a porous, dehydrated food product comprises subjecting a food product to pulsed electric field treatment to form pores in the cell membranes of the food product, freezing the treated food product, and exposing the treated frozen food product to microwave radiation in a vacuum chamber at a pressure that is less than atmospheric and at which the boiling point of water is above 0 C., causing the frozen food product to thaw and water to evaporate to produce the porous, dehydrated product. The process is faster than freeze-drying and consumes less energy. The pulsed electric field treatment does not result in structural damage to the product, despite the thawing of the frozen product during the drying process.