Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
S Anusha, P Lalitha Kameswari, AVD Dorajee Rao, M Madhavi and K Uma Krishna

Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to study “Physico chemical characters of marigold flowers during drying as influenced by embedding media and drying methods” during the year 2022-23. The minimum time taken for drying (19 hrs.), minimum dry weight (0.540 g) and maximum loss of moisture content (87.030%) were recorded in flowers embedded in silica gel under sun drying method. Maximum time taken for drying (175.500 hrs) recorded in flowers dried under shade without embedding medium. Maximum dry weight (0.980 g) and minimum loss of moisture content (70.780%) was recorded in flowers embedded in sand under shade drying method. Maximum diameter (3.740 cm), minimum shrinkage (15.573%), maximum xanthophyll content (46.410%) and maximum score for colour (4.810) was recorded in flowers embedded in silica gel under shade conditions. Minimum diameter (3.151 cm) and maximum shrinkage (28.893%) was recorded in flowers dried under sun without embedding medium. Minimum xanthophylls (15.620%) and minimum score for colour (2.520) was recorded in flowers embedded in sand and dried under sun.