Studies on microwave oven drying of Gomphrena globosa L. ‘Magenta’ and ‘White’

Present investigation was carried out to standardize the medium and temperature for drying of Gomphrena globosa L. Two cultivars ‘Magenta’ (GGM) and ‘White’ (GGW) were dried in silica gel and mixture of sand and silica gel for 3, 4 and 5 min. in microwave oven with 24, 48 and 72 h setting durations. It was observed that maximum moisture loss was recorded in flowers embedded in silica gel and dried for 5 min. with 72 h setting time in cvs Magenta and White, respectively. The maximum decrease in size was recorded in flowers embedded in silica gel and kept for 5 min. with 72 h setting time in cvs Magenta and White, respectively. However, the maximum scores for quality parameters (out of a total of 20) based on colour, texture, brittleness and shape retention were obtained when flowers were embedded in silica gel and kept for 3 min. with 72 h setting time in cv. Magenta and for 3 min. and kept for 24 h. setting in cv. White.