Vol. 11, Special Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
Ashitha Katta, Dr. K Ramachandra Naik, Dr. Tammaiah N, Dr. JB Gopali, Dr. CB Koujalgi, Naveen M Puttasamy and Dr. Veena S Jadhav

Abstract:
The present investigation was conducted to standardize the methodology for drying and value addition of non-traditional ornamental flowers. The harvested flowers were subjected to different drying methods by embedding them in silica gel. The maximum sensory score for colour (3.70), brittleness (3.63), shape reten2tion (3.99) and appearance (3.86) of non-traditional ornamental flowers was recorded in ambient drying at lab condition for 24 hours where as maximum texture (3.75) was recorded in hot air oven drying at 40 ^oC for 6 hours. Among different materials evaluated for drying, Cassia fistula recorded maximum sensory score for colour (3.85), texture (3.53) and brittleness (3.43) where as Euphorbia milii recorded maximum score (3.60) for shape retention and appearance (3.38) than others. With respect to different methods of drying, minimum dry weight (0.032 g) and maximum moisture loss per cent (85.34%) of the dried non-traditional ornamental flowers was recorded when subjected to hot air oven drying for 6 hours at 40 ^oc and ambient drying for 24 hours at lab condition respectively when compared to the microwave oven drying method.