Siddiqui, SaleemNaresh Kumar2017-06-032017-06-032005http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810014482The present investigation was undertaken to standardize various pretreatments for dehydration of ber fruits. Fresh ripe fruits at yellow green stage were subjected to different pretreatments viz., water blanching (7 min), blanching in 0.5 % KMS solution (5 min), blanching in KMS solution (5 min) + slow freezing, NaOH blanching (5 min) and then washing with 0.5 % citric acid solution, microwave blanching and osmo-dehydration. Pretreated samples were dehydrated at 65ºC in a cabinet dryer. Dehydrated fruits were evaluated for sensory score and physico-chemical characteristics. Pretreatment KMS + slow freezing recorded better retention of ascorbic acid followed by osmo-dehydration. Nonenzymatic browning was minimum in fruits given KMS + slow freezing followed by osmo-dehydrated fruits. Rehydration ratio was not significantly affected by various pretreatments. Drying rate was faster in first six hours and then slowed down. It was maximum in fruits given NaOH + citric acid pretreatment followed by osmo-dehydrated and water blanched fruits. Dehydrated fruits having 20 % moisture content received maximum organoleptic scores. However 15 % moisture fruits, though showing a little lower organoleptic score, may show better shelf life as compared to 20 % moisture fruits. Organoleptic score was improved by all the pretreatments. Maximum scores were observed for osmo-dehydrated and KMS + slow freezed fruits.ennullThesis