In this study, foaming conditions of shrimp (Penaeus indicus)were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) and the effect of drying temperature on drying behavior was investigated. The experiments were conducted according to facecentered central composite design for three independent variables: xanthan gum concentration (0.1–0.4%w/w), whipping time (2–6 min), and water : shrimp ratio (2:1–6:1 w/w) to minimize the foam density (FD) and the drainage volume (DV) as responses. Statistical analysis of results showed that linear terms of the models were significant (p<0
01) except the linear term of whipping time in DV. Xanthan gum concentration 0.19%(w/w), water : shrimp ratio 4.5:1 (w/w), and whipping time 5.89 min were found to be the optimum foaming conditions. The effect of different drying temperatures (45, 60, 75, and 90
C) on drying behavior of optimized foam was then evaluated. The drying air temperature had a considerable effect on drying time and drying rate. As the temperature increased from 45 to 90
C, the drying time decreased to 90 min. Drying rate curves showed that foam-mat drying of shrimp principally occurred in the constant rate period. Different mathematical models were tested with the drying behavior of shrimp foam in the dryer. According to the results, the Weibull distribution model is superior to the other models for explaining the drying behavior. Effective moisture diffusivity was calculated and was between1
114×10 −8 and 3
951×10 −8m2 /s within the studied temperature range. An Arrhenius relation with an activation energy value of 26.89 kJ/mol expressed the effect of temperature on diffusivity.

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