Honey has been widely used in pharmaceutical industry for its healing properties and sweet taste. It is sensitive to moisture in the surrounding atmosphere. High moisture content can affect its state and properties.
Honey with high moisture content loses its curative properties and its quality. Thus, it is often rejected by pharmaceutical industry, where it is widely used.
Honey is kept inside a drum and continuously stirred. Hot water is circulated through a jacket surrounding the drum filled with honey. The Honey, thus, is heated indirectly to a temperature of 65°C (149°F) to bring down the moisture content to 19% from the existing 25-30%.
When honey is dried conventionally, the HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfural) content in honey often goes up to 40% due to heating over 35°C (95°F).
It is recommended that honey is dried at 35°C to a moisture content of 19% and Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content of 25%.
Airgineers at Bry-Air recommend that honey should be spread in trays with a maximum thickness of 4 inches inside a closed room. Dehumidified air should then be circulated inside the room, which is maintained at temperature of 35°C. This allows reduction of moisture content without raising the HMF content. It is also suggested to pack the dried honey in containers inside the dehumidified room to avoid moisture regain.
The powder coated, CNC fabricated compact desiccant dehumidifiers (FFB series 170-4500 CMH) are lightweight and can be installed above the false ceiling.
For complete air handling and environment control needs (ranging from 2,500 CMH to 25,000 CMH)
When honey has too much water in it, it loses its healing powers and doesn’t stay as good. Honey with high moisture content is not acceptable by the Pharma industry. If we dry honey the conventional way, the HMF in it can go up to 40% because it gets too hot.
