ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1179: III Southeast Asia Symposium on Quality Management in Postharvest Systems
Evaluation of anti-browning treatments on quality of solar-dried cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) |
| Authors: | D.M. Gautam, K.M. Tripathi, A.R. Devkota, A.L. Acedo, W. Easdown, J.A. Hughes, J.D.H. Keatinge |
| Keywords: | heat treatment, potassium metabisulfite, cabinet solar dryer, sun drying |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2017.1179.36 |
| Abstract:
Cauliflower is highly perishable, and rapidly browns after harvest. Drying can be resorted to to minimize this perishability problem but, during drying, curd browning is likewise a major concern. This study determined the effects of potassium metabisulfite and a short hot-water dip as predrying treatments on browning and other quality attributes of dried cauliflower florets. Cauliflower curds 'Snow Mystique' were cleaned, and individual florets were separated and treated with 0.1-0.5% potassium metabisulfite solution as a 5-min dip, 85°C water as 0.5-1.0 min dip, or a 5-min dip in potable water as a control. Two drying conditions were compared: the use of a small portable cabinet solar dryer and open sun drying. Among the treatments, 0.5% potassium metabisulfite was most effective at retaining the white color of dried florets. The hot-water dip was not effective, as the florets did not dry properly and eventually rotted. The cabinet solar dryer dried the florets faster than sun drying and, at the same time, it reduced browning and retained the quality of the florets based on rehydration ratio and vitamin C content. Being cheap and portable, the small cabinet-type solar dryer could be a very useful measure to dry all kinds of perishable horticultural produce in remote areas. | |
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