Influence of different drying methods on desiccation of ornamental flowers
Author(s):
G Sowmya, Dr. D Laxminarayana, Dr. G Jyothi, Dr. Zehra Salma and Dr. S Praneeth Kumar
Abstract:
The present investigation entitled “Influence of different drying methods on desiccation of ornamental flowers” was carried out at Floriculture laboratory, College of Horticulture, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during February, 2023 to May, 2023. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Completely Randomized Design (FCRD). The results revealed that among different drying methods, ambient drying embedding with silica gel for 24 hours (D1) recorded significantly best score for texture (3.47), shape retention (3.53), brittleness (3.31) and overall appearance (3.44). On the other hand, hot air oven drying embedding with silica gel at 45 °C for 48 hours (D3) recorded maximum percentage of moisture loss (77.41%) and microwave oven drying embedding with silica gel at 180 °C for three minutes (D4) recorded minimum percentage of shrinkage diameter (8.60%) and maximum colour retention (3.78). Among different flowers, Plumeria alba (F4) registered highest percentage of moisture loss (82.22%), least percentage of shrinkage diameter (5.36%) and higher score with respect to texture (3.53), shape retention (3.38) and overall appearance (3.08). Whereas, Nerium oleander (F1) recorded maximum brittleness (3.48) and Ixora chinensis (F2) registered highest colour retention (3.65) after drying. With respect to the treatment combinations, ambient drying embedding with silica gel for 24 hours + Plumeria alba (D1F4) recorded maximum score in terms of texture (4.50), shape retention (4.38), brittleness (3.88) and overall appearance (4.50). While, hot air oven drying embedding with silica gel at 45 °C for 48 hours + Plumeria alba (D3F4) registered highest percentage of moisture loss (84.25%) and microwave oven drying embedding with silica gel at 180 °C for three minutes + Plumeria alba (D4F4) recorded lower percentage of shrinkage diameter (3.90%), whereas microwave oven drying embedding with silica gel at 180 °C for three minutes + Ixora chinensis (D4F2) registered maximum colour retention (4.50).
How to cite this article:
G Sowmya, Dr. D Laxminarayana, Dr. G Jyothi, Dr. Zehra Salma, Dr. S Praneeth Kumar. Influence of different drying methods on desiccation of ornamental flowers. Pharma Innovation 2024;13(8):191-197.