In each drying experiment approximately 100 g of the aril was spread on a tray in a thin layer. The sample was dried using a hot air oven (Memmert, 500/108I, Germany) at temperatures ranging from 60-80 °C until a final moisture content of less than 10% (db) was reached. During each experiment 3-5 g of the sample was taken out at various time intervals to determine its moisture content. The moisture content of the sample was determined by using a gravimetric method at 105°C (AOAC Method 984.25; AOAC, 2000).