Advanced Dehydration Techniques Standardized for Flowers of Gomphrena globosa L.

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted on standardizing dehydration technique for Gomphrena globose flower by using embedding drying methods in room temperature and hot air oven at 55°C was done. The experiment consisted of 10 treatments with 3 replications designed in completely randomized design. Treatments used were as; T1-Boric acid (room temperature), T2-Silica gel (room temperature), T3-Sand (room temperature), T4-Sawdust (room temperature), T5-Cocopeat (room temperature), T6-Boric acid (hot air oven at 55 °C), T7-Silica gel (hot air oven at 55 °C), T8-Sand (hot air oven at 55 °C), T9-Sawdust (hot air oven at 55 °C), T10-Cocopeat (hot air oven at 55 °C). The most reduction in flower fresh and dry weight, measuring 2.36 and 2.12 g, was observed in Treatment T7 (Silica gel with hot air oven at 55°C), where silica gel was employed as the desiccant. The least reduction in flower fresh and dry diameter, measuring 1.92 and 1.81 g, was observed in Treatment T7 (Silica gel with hot air oven at 55°C), where silica gel was employed as the desiccant. The highest drying duration for gomphrena in T3 (Sand) and T4 (Sawdust) treatments was 234.21 and 210.40 hrs at room temperature. The boric acid and silica gel demonstrated outstanding performance in terms of quality parameters, including texture, color, and overall appearance. Among all treatment, embedding drying with silica with hot air oven dehydration at 55°C was found to be best in term of reduction in weight, diameter and overall colour, appearance and texture of Gomphrena globose flowers.