Evaluation of different methods for drying of chrysanthemum flowers

An investigation was conducted for evaluation of different methods for drying of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum Tzevlev) flowers. Fully opened flowers of chrysanthemum were dried by four different methods, viz., air drying, sun drying, mechanical dehydration and low cost solar drying at different durations. Results indicate that among different methods of drying solar drying registered the maximum moisture loss (79.31%) after 15 days of drying as compared to other methods. Among different method tested, the reduction in floral diameter was highest (55.97%) in air drying as compared to other methods. Low cost solar drying obtained better score (4.60) for colour retention than other methods. Therefore solar drier after being embedded in sterilized sand was rated to be better as compared to other methods of drying.