INFLUENCE OF DRYING METHODS AND PACKAGING MATERIALS ON SHELF LIFE AND QUALITY OF BRAHMI (Bacopa monnieri L.)
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Date
2018-06
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University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot. (College of Horticulture, Bengaluru)
Abstract
An experiment was undertaken to study “The influence of drying methods and packaging materials on shelf life and quality of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri L.) at ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research and College of Horticulture, Bengaluru. Fresh biomass of Brahmi was collected from ICAR-IIHR during October, 2017 and was subjected to five different methods of drying viz., sun, solar tunnel, cabinet, low cost polyhouse and shade drying and four methods of packaging namely; gunny bags, polypropylene bags, cartons and HDPE. Among different drying methods, shade drying registered maximum drying time of around 15 days to reach the desired moisture content while drying was rapid in cabinet drying method (12-15 hours) when dried at 50˚±1˚ C. Maximum colour and total chlorophyll content retention was in shade drying 2.67 and 1.07 mg/g of leaf sample, respectively. Maximum Bacoside A content (2.01%) and texture (25.62 N) was recorded in tray dehydrated samples. Shade drying resulted in substantial increase in yeast population (log 5.19 CFU/g) which indicates the risk of microbiological spoilage. Storage period and containers had a significant effect on the physico-chemical and microbial properties of the dried herb. Moisture content increased during storage but the increase was found to be more pronounced in polypropylene and cartons. Polythene lined gunny bags and HDPE minimized moisture absorption for a longer duration and retained the physico-chemical properties for up to two months without much degradation. Mold count though it was absent in the fresh and dried material, tend to increase upon storage due to absorption of moisture from the atmosphere by the stored herbage. The results revealed that cabinet drying and solar tunnel drying along with packaging in polythene lined gunny bags and HDPE can be considered as best methods of drying and packaging respectively taking into consideration the drying rate, duration taken for drying and retention of active components.