desiccated

Desiccated is an adjective used to describe a material that has had most of its moisture removed, often through controlled drying. It is commonly applied to foods, biological materials, and industrial products. In general, desiccated implies a low moisture content that inhibits microbial growth and chemical reactions that require water.

Desiccation (the process) can be achieved by various methods, including air drying, oven drying, vacuum drying, freeze-drying (lyophilization), and the use of desiccants such as silica gel or calcium chloride. The goal is to reach a target moisture level appropriate for storage, typically expressed as percent moisture by weight.

In biology and ecology, desiccation is a reference to extreme drying and can be harmful to organisms; however, some species are desiccation-tolerant, entering cryptobiosis to survive long periods without water. Seeds may remain viable after desiccation for extended times.

In food products, desiccated forms are common: desiccated coconut is grated coconut dried to low moisture; desiccated fruits and vegetables are processed similarly to extend shelf life. Desiccation can affect texture, flavor, and nutritional content and is typically paired with proper packaging and low humidity storage.

Desiccation concepts also appear in geology, paleoclimatology, and archaeology where dry conditions preserve artifacts, pollen, or sediments.