Agricultural Structures and Environmental Control Division, Central Institute of Postharvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana-141004, India.
* E-mail: snjha_ciphet@yahoo.co.in
The milk absorption kinetics of popped gorgon nut was studied at different soaking temperatures (30, 50, 70 and 90°C) and time interval of 5s up to 90 seconds. Nine model equations for each measured parameter viz milk absorption (g/g dry matter) and geometric mean diameter (mm) were fitted and compared using their coefficients of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and chi square (c2) to estimate the best fit. The quantity of milk absorbed was higher at 30°C than at any other soaking temperatures studied. The rate of absorption was initially much pronounced, and got declined at later stage. The geometric mean diameter increased linearly at all the soaking temperatures and time. The effect of temperature and time, individually or in combination (interactions) thereof, significantly affected the absorption characteristics of popped gorgon nut.
