Before this test, box fermentation, different sizes and solar dryers built in Can Tho University. Fermentation, as described in materials and methods, was conducted by testing and dryer weather conditions common in Can Tho. The main purpose of testing is to acquaint employees with CTU working methods in the implementation of the fermentation and drying tests as well as dried beans and analysis should be noted whether the fermentation parameters were comparable to those encountered in other countries | CARD 013VIE 05 FERMENTATION AND DRYING TRIAL Can Tho University 18-23 4 06 Trial Title Various sized Box and heap fermentations and solar dryer trial Introduction Prior to this trial fermentation boxes of varying sizes and a solar drier were constructed at Can Tho University. Fermentations as described in the materials and methods were conducted and the drier tested under the prevailing weather conditions in Can Tho. The main aim of the trials was to acquaint CTU staff with the methods employed in conducting fermentation and drying trials as well as dry bean analysis and to note whether fermentation parameters were comparable to those encountered in other countries. Materials and methods In Can Tho Province there is only one substantial cocoa farmer and he does not grow enough cocoa for CTU to be able to purchase sufficient beans to conduct this trial. Beans were therefore purchased from Ben Tre province as described. Pods were weighed prior to breaking and wet beans recovered weighed post pod breaking. With this first fermentation and drying trial conducted at CTU during April 2006 an attempt was made to conduct experimentation on a number of fermentation parameters during the one trial. These factors included Size and surface to volume ratio SVR of fermenting mass Surface to volume ratio is important in that it affects the rate of air penetration into a fermenting mass. It s affected by factors such as the mass of beans and shape of the fermenting mass This was attempted using the following treatments Treatment 1 T1 Box fermentation of 100kg wet bean. SVR was sq M cu M of beans. Treatment 2 T2 Box fermentation 50kg wet beans. SVR was sq M cu M wet beans. Treatment 3 T3 Box fermentation 25kg wet beans SVR was sq M cu M wet beans. Treatment 3a T3a Replication of T3 Treatment 4 T4 Box fermentation of 10kg wet beans. SVR was 30 sq M cu M wet beans. Treatment 5 T5 Conical heaped shaped fermentation of 25kg wet beans laid on floor lined with banana .
