Effect of Various Drying Methods on Quality of Aonla Segments

Two varieties of aonla, Chakaiya and Banarsi, were selected for the drying study. Both the varieties of aonla were divided into two groups i.e. treated and untreated and were dried in an electrically operated mechanical drier and compared with the sun dried samples. The temperature in the mechanical drier was maintained at 60^oC whereas, during sun drying the temperature and relative humidity varied from 24–28^oC and 90–95%, respectively. After drying by both the methods, the aonla segents were powdered and kept in polythene bags at room temperature for quality evaluation. It was observed that drying of aonla segents was in constant as well as falling rate period. The polynomial equations (5^th order) were found suitable in representing the drying behaviour. The aonla powder processed from mechanically dried samples was superior to sun-dried samples. The Banarsi was found to be the most suitable variety for powder making with acceptable quality attributes when pre-treated prior to mechanical drying.