Talih M.Dirim S.N.2019-10-262019-10-2620180861-98080861-9808https://hdl.handle.net/11454/16005This study aims at the determination of the effect of thickness on the freeze drying behavior of cherry laurel (Laurocerasus officinalis Roem.) puree, together with the determination of the physical, chemical, and powder properties of the obtained powders and the calculation of the energy efficiency of the drying process. The samples were dried at 3, 5, and 7 mm thicknesses. Among the twelve thin-layer drying models used, the Page (3 and 5 mm) and Logarithmic models (7 mm) were found to satisfactorily describe the drying behavior. The drying times were 8, 10, and 11 h with increasing the moisture extraction rate (MER) and specific moisture extraction rate (SMER), and decreasing specific energy consumption (SEC) values for the increasing thicknesses. The effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) values were between 4.70-7.78E-08 m2/s. The average total phenolic compounds and the vitamin C content values were 710 mg GAE/100g (db) and 23 mg/100g (db)), respectively. The bulk density values were between 99.75 and 113.88 kg/m3, and the flowability and cohesiveness values were at fair-bad, and intermediate-high levels, respectively. © 2018 Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Union of Chemists in Bulgaria.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessCherry laurel pureeEffective moisture diffusivityEnergy consumptionFreeze dryingPowder propertiesThin layer modelingArticle503467477Q4