Effects of processing techniques on drying characteristics, physicochemical properties and functional compounds of green and red chilli (Capsicum annum L.) powder.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of processing techniques on the characteristics of green and red chilli powder. Four samples, such as pretreated green chilli paste (PTGP), pretreated green chilli longitudinal slit (PTGL), pretreated whole red chilli (PTWR) and untreated green chilli paste (UTGP), were prepared and dried at 60 °C in a cabinet dryer. The pretreatment was blanching in acetic acid solution and soaking immediately in a combined solution of Na2S2O5 and CaCl2. Pretreated samples took a shorter drying time than the untreated sample in reducing moisture content from 86.31 to 8%. Pretreatment before drying resulted in retaining total chlorophyll (~ 86%), phenolic compounds (~ 32%), green color, and pungency of chilli. Analysis result indicated that more than 60% retention of ß-carotene was found while retention of ascorbic acid was comparable. Conclusively, this research reveals a good nutritional profile in cabinet dried green chilli powder, which may open the scope for commercial production.

Development and performance evaluation of an improved electric baking oven for baked products.

An improved electric baking oven was designed and fabricated using locally available materials for baking cakes and biscuits. Provisions of necessary adjustments were employed for ensuring uniform distribution of heat in all trays of the baking chamber. Its baking characteristics in terms of baking time, specific volume, and product quality in terms of sensory attributes were evaluated. The oven was found to be quite satisfactory in functioning for baking cakes and biscuits. Total time was only 15-28 min for baking the cake samples in the oven. On the other hand, comparatively, a bit longer time 18-35 min required for baking the biscuit samples. Baking cost was lesser in baking small-sized cakes and biscuits than those of large sized. The quality of baked products was better in terms of taste, color, flavor, texture, and appearance than ordinary market products. Loaf volume of each cake (with 4 × 5 × 8 cm3) was 100%, which gave specific volume of 652.8 cm3/kg. Similarly, the specific volume of biscuits was 810 cm3/kg. The electric baking oven is quite efficient in baking quality cakes and biscuits uniformly, which can be provided to rural small entrepreneurs for commercial manufacturing of biscuits and cakes.