FABRICATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF FISH DRYING: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SUN AND SOLAR DRYING TECHNIQUES USING REGRESSION MODELS

Post-harvest deterioration of fish due to high moisture content remains a significant challenge in coastal and rural regions. This study presents a comparative investigation of traditional open sun drying and a developed solar drying system for Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus). Drying experiments were conducted under controlled and natural conditions, and moisture loss was recorded over time. Thin-layer drying models, namely the Lewis and Page models, were applied to evaluate drying kinetics.Statistical analysis showed that the Page model exhibited superior performance with a coefficient of determination (R2) close to 0.99 and minimal error values. The solar drying system demonstrated faster drying rates, reduced final moisture content, and improved product quality compared to sun drying. The results confirm that solar drying is an efficient and sustainable alternative for fish preservation.