Vol. 11, Special Issue 1 (2022)

Author(s):
Rashmi M Chakule, NG Rathod, NS Gupta and Chandrashekhar V Uphade

Abstract:
The Investigation entitled “Standardization of different drying techniques in aster flower” was conducted at Dry Flower Laboratory, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (MH) during 2020 – 2021 to find out the suitable drying methods for Aster flower. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with seven treatments which were replicated four times. Treatments were Microwave oven drying for 1.0 minute, 1.5 minutea and 2.0 minute (embedded in silica gel), Sand flour (rangoli) drying for 48 hours and 76 hours at room temperature, Borax drying for 48 hours and 76 hours at room temperature. The observation recorded were quantitative parameters, fresh flower weight (g), dry flower weight (g), moisture loss (%), initial diameter of flower (cm), diameter of dry flower (cm) reduction in flower diameter (mm), and storage study for 15 days interval for 3 months and visual quality parameters (appearance, colour, shape and texture) were statistically analysed. The result of present study revealed that, amongst all the treatments minimum dried weight, maximum moisture loss and minimum reduction in diameter of flowers were recorded in microwave oven drying for 2.0 minute with embedding in silica gel. The visual quality parameter like appearance, colour, shape and texture were found to be best in microwave oven drying for 2.0 minute embedded in silica gel. The results of the present study suggested that Microwave drying for 2.0 minute was found superior in better quality dried Aster flower var. “Phule Ganesh White” than rangoli drying and borax drying.