Quality attributes of convective hot air dried spine gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb. Ex Willd) slices.

ABSTRACT

In the present study, spine gourd slices were dried in a convective dryer at 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C temperature. The change in quality of spine guard was determined by analyzing the change in proximate, minerals, functional group, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant characteristics. Increase in drying temperature changed the protein (4.62-12.88 g/100 g), fiber (3.14-3.53 g/100 g), total phenolic (14.85-14.99 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and total flavonoid (30.1-64.8 mg quercetin equivalent/100 g) content while reduction occurred in fat (4.02-3.07 g/100 g), carbohydrate (76.13-55.22 g/100 g), chlorophyll (0.34-0.100 mg/g), ascorbic acid (29.94-4.50 mg/100 g) and antioxidant activity (96.58-85.06%). Mineral content of fresh SG differed significantly with dried samples (p < 0.05), while variable effects were associated with the change in drying temperatures. Changes in functional groups were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. The observed parameters were optimized using principal component analysis. The sample dried at 40 °C was superior in quality whereas higher protein and antioxidants were found at 70 °C.