The article discusses the influence of the moisture content of raw materials and the temperature of the extruder die on the engine torque and specific mechanical energy. An EK-40 laboratory extruder and a slot die / rheometer combination were used to measure the torque. The torque decreased with increasing humidity and temperature of the die. It was found that the temperature of the matrix is the most significant parameter affecting the torque and specific mechanical energy.

The article gives a characteristic of the «Haru» daikon growing in the Tambov region. The properties of this vegetable are analyzed, a qualitative analysis is made. The scope of its application is determined. So due to the chemical composition of this variety is widely used in medicine. An experimental study of two-stage convective vacuum-pulse drying under gentle conditions was carried out. The moisture content of the end of the first period of this vegetable was obtained, which amounted to 77 %. The advantages of 3 mm slicing, compared to 5 mm, are determined, which allows reducing drying time by 50 %. The most rational process of two-stage convective vacuum-pulse drying has been established, both for long-term storage and for the production of food and medicinal substances. The established gentle rational modes of this drying are: in the first period, the temperature of the coolant is 56 °C, the speed of the coolant is 1.5 m/s; in the second period, the coolant temperature is 55 °C, the coolant speed is 2.5 m/s with indoor air humidity up to 60 %. The scope of «Haru» daikon powder for functional foods is also identified.

The influence of the operating conditions of the extruder (raw material moisture, die temperature, screw speed and mass flow rate) on the pressure drop in the die for wet raw materials was investigated. An EK-40 laboratory extruder and a slot die / rheometer combination were used to measure the pressure drop across the die. The pressure drop decreased with increasing humidity, screw speed, and die temperature, and increased with increasing mass flow. It was found that the temperature of the matrix is the most significant parameter affecting the pressure drop of the matrix.

The article provides a study of factors (screw speed and mass flow rate) affecting the operating conditions of the extruder, engine torque and specific mechanical energy for high-moisture raw materials. A laboratory extruder and a slotted die with a rheometer were used to measure the die torque. The die torque decreased with increasing screw rotation speed and increased with increasing mass flow. However, the increase in mass flow has led to a decrease in the specific mechanical energy. Increasing the screw speed increased the specific mechanical energy. This was due to the higher shear rates at higher screw speeds.