Performance Evaluation of an Inflatable Solar Dryer for Maize and the Effect on Product Quality Compared with Direct Sun Drying

Maize is an important staple in Africa, which necessitates immediate drying to preserve the postharvest quality. The traditional of maize open sun prone adverse weather and extraneous contamination. In this study, performance inflatable solar dryer (ISD) was compared direct (DSD) Gombe Town, Wakiso District (Uganda) by analysing moisture content, yeasts, moulds, aflatoxin, colour. maximum temperature inside ISD reached 63.7 °C averaged 7 higher than ambient temperature. dried using both methods a content below 14% after two days. one received lots that already heavily contaminated harvest, with DSD reduced aflatoxin from 569.6 µg kg−1 345.5 299.2 kg−1, respectively. Although terms time product quality regarding colour, yeast, mould similar for methods, advantage reducing risk spoilage due sudden rain obvious. A strategy early detection aflatoxins recommended avoid food chain.