Osmotic assisted convective drying of pomegranate arils: Process optimisation, structural characterisation, and bioactive compound evaluation


Citation

Gaikwad, N. N. and Giri, N. A. and Suryavanshi, S. S. and Marathe, R. A. (2024) Osmotic assisted convective drying of pomegranate arils: Process optimisation, structural characterisation, and bioactive compound evaluation. International Food Research Journal (Malaysia), 31. pp. 624-636. ISSN 2231 7546

Abstract

Convective drying of pomegranate arils is time-consuming, energy-intensive, and affects the quality. Osmotic pre-treatment has been resorted prior to convective drying to improve drying performance and quality. In the present work, the osmosis factors such as temperature (30 - 60°C), time (50 - 250 min), and total soluble solids (TSS) (40 - 60°B) were studied using Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology. The quadratic models obtained adequately explained the process, and the optimum conditions were temperature (48.52°C), time (209.65 min), and TSS (51.31°B). The osmotic pre-treatment at optimum conditions followed by the convective tray drying reduced the drying time by nine hours, and the mean energy consumption by 0.172 MJ/g. Light microscopy revealed rupture and breakage of the honeycomb-like cellular structure of the pomegranate aril. Quality analysis of dried arils revealed that the texture (softness) and TSS improved by 11.75 N and 4.2°B, respectively. Likewise, sensorial quality parameters such as taste, mouth feel, and overall acceptability of the OATD (osmo-assisted tray-dried) arils significantly improved over the TD (tray-dried). However, there was a minor higher loss of 15.48, 12.52, and 15.88% in anthocyanin, phenols, and antioxidant capacity in OATD compared to TD. The OATD arils can be stored for up to six months in a modified atmosphere package (MAP).


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Abstract

Convective drying of pomegranate arils is time-consuming, energy-intensive, and affects the quality. Osmotic pre-treatment has been resorted prior to convective drying to improve drying performance and quality. In the present work, the osmosis factors such as temperature (30 - 60°C), time (50 - 250 min), and total soluble solids (TSS) (40 - 60°B) were studied using Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology. The quadratic models obtained adequately explained the process, and the optimum conditions were temperature (48.52°C), time (209.65 min), and TSS (51.31°B). The osmotic pre-treatment at optimum conditions followed by the convective tray drying reduced the drying time by nine hours, and the mean energy consumption by 0.172 MJ/g. Light microscopy revealed rupture and breakage of the honeycomb-like cellular structure of the pomegranate aril. Quality analysis of dried arils revealed that the texture (softness) and TSS improved by 11.75 N and 4.2°B, respectively. Likewise, sensorial quality parameters such as taste, mouth feel, and overall acceptability of the OATD (osmo-assisted tray-dried) arils significantly improved over the TD (tray-dried). However, there was a minor higher loss of 15.48, 12.52, and 15.88% in anthocyanin, phenols, and antioxidant capacity in OATD compared to TD. The OATD arils can be stored for up to six months in a modified atmosphere package (MAP).

Additional Metadata

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Item Type: Article
AGROVOC Term: anthocyanins
AGROVOC Term: pomegranates
AGROVOC Term: drying
AGROVOC Term: phenols
AGROVOC Term: osmotic pretreatment of seed
AGROVOC Term: storage
AGROVOC Term: modified atmosphere packaging
AGROVOC Term: energy consumption
AGROVOC Term: texture
AGROVOC Term: bioactive compounds
Geographical Term: India
Uncontrolled Keywords: response surface methodology, osmotic drying, convective tray drying, optimisation, pomegranate
Depositing User: Nor Hasnita Abdul Samat
Date Deposited: 23 Feb 2026 04:17
Last Modified: 23 Feb 2026 04:17
URI: http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2622

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