Publication

Abstract : The wood apple (Limonia acidissima L.) pulp with seed was dried by using hot air oven, tray dryer and solar drier, powdered and compared for its drying characteristics, fruit powder yield, physical and functional properties, least gelation concentration, nutritional composition, non-nutritional qualities and sensory profile. The wood apple pulp gets completely dried within 5-6 hours in all drying methods. The overall drying rate was significantly (p<0.05) high in hot air oven dried sample; dehydration ratio, rehydration ratio and co-efficient of rehydration were significantly high in tray dried sample at p<0.01. The total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity was significantly higher (p<0.01) in sun dried wood apple pulp powder. Nutrients get concentrated except vitamin C which was lost on drying. The titrable acidity and pH revealed the medium acidic nature of wood apple pulp powder. Organoleptically, the hot air oven dried sample was liked very much in terms of its appearance, color and flavor. Hence the wood apple pulp could be dried effectively using solar dryer, preserved as dried powder and value added for its industrial exploitation.