Studies on storage stability of osmotically dehydrated pomegranate arils

Pomegranate arils were dipped in 50°Brix osmotic solution at 40°C temperature in arils to syrup ratio of 1:2 (w/w) for 100 min and dried in tray drier at 60°C till the arils reached desired moisture content and product quality. Osmotically dehydrated arils were packed in three different types of packaging materials viz., polyethylene pouch (93.9 gsm), aluminium laminated pouch (99.8 gsm) and thermofoam tray (wrapped with shrinkable polypropylene transparent sheet) were sealed and subjected for storage at ambient conditions for a period of 6 months and analysed for quality parameters at bimonthly intervals. Osmotically dehydrated pomegranate arils packed in aluminium laminated pouch had less moisture and non enzymatic browning, highest antioxidant activity and were organoleptically acceptable for 6 months at ambient conditions.