The consumption of dehydrated vegetables has been stimulated for their practical use, higher conservation time compared to in natura varieties, and the possibility of using surplus production, thus reducing the effects of seasonality. This research proposed the production of beet flour, using simple technology and procedures available for the majority of small producers. Different beet slices were compared: longitudinal (long 2; 4.5 and 9 mm) and cross-section (cross 2, 4.5 and 9 mm), about drying and grinding times, drying rates, dry flour yields, and particle size. Considering that the drying rate was low, that the length of time of the product in the dryer was low, that the flour had low particle size, and the ease of preparing slices, the treatments of 4.5 mm slices were recommended for the production of beet flour. The flour presented high dietary fiber, carbohydrate, protein and total mineral contents, and reduced lipid content.
beet flour; drying; agroindustry; functional food
