Vol. 10, Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
Jagadeeswari VV, Suseela T, Sudha Vani V, Salomi Suneetha DR and Sujatha RV

Abstract:
An experiment was laid out to study the “Effect of different levels of embedding media, microwave power and duration on drying quality of gerbera cv. Dana Ellen in microwave oven drying” was carried out in the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh during the year 2020-21. Significant difference was noticed with respect to per cent weight loss and per cent moisture loss of gerbera var. Dana Ellen. The maximum per cent weight loss, per cent moisture loss (74.75%, 80.02) respectively was recorded in the flowers embedded in silica gel at high microwave power level for 4.0 minutes and the minimum per cent weight loss, per cent moisture loss (53.75%, 37.41%) respectively was observed by the flowers embedded in sand at low microwave power level for 2.0 minutes. Minimum change in diameter (0.564 cm) was observed in sand embedded flowers at low microwave power level for 2 min and maximum change in diameter (1.114 cm) was observed in silica gel embedded flowers at high microwave power level for 4 min. The maximum xanthophyll retention (51.26%) has recorded in gerbera flowers embedded in silica gel at low microwave power level for 2 min. Minimum xanthophyll retention (26.33%) has recorded in gerbera flowers embedded in sand at high microwave power level for 4 min. Silica gel embedded flowers at high microwave power level for 2 to 4 min duration, has took less time for drying. From the above findings it could be concluded that flowers embedded in silica gel dried at medium level of micro power level for 3.0 minutes duration under 36 hours of setting time showed good results with respect to per cent weight loss, per cent moisture loss, change in diameter, time taken for drying and xanthophyll retention compare to flowers dried at higher level of micro power density and higher duration.