Experiments were conducted to study the effect of different drying methods for Acroclinum flowers. Half opened flowers with 20cm long pedicel were selected with three replications and embedded in two drying media (Boric acid and Silica gel) with vertical drying at room (control), Hot air oven, Microwave oven and solar dryer with and without embedding. Temperature used in Hot air oven was 45°C and in Microwave oven 350 Hz. Observations were recorded for fresh weight, dry weight, time taken for drying and effect of drying on colour, shape and texture. Data were statistically analyzed with factorial completely randomized design (CRD). Dried samples were given scores on 10 point scale with reference to ornamental values comparable to fresh samples on the basis of colour (5), shape (3) and texture (2). Based on cumulative score, ranks were given and the best treatment combinations were worked out. Among different method of dehydration, the dry weight of Acroclinum flower was highest by embedding in mixture of Silica gel (0.64g) in solar drier for 6 hours. Effect of drying on colour was recorded highest score in microwave drying when embedded in silica gel and vertical drying in hot air oven (4.77). Shape of Acroclinum flowers recorded highest score when embedded in silica gel in hot air oven (2.67) and for texture, the flowers embedded in silica gel in microwave, vertical drying in hot air oven recorded high score(1.77). The first rank was given to hot air oven for all the flowers when embedded in silica gel for all the parameters.
Acroclinum, dehydration, embedding
