The effect of hot-air drying namely drying time (3-15 h), drying temperature (40-80°C) and loading capacity (0.5-2.0 kg/m2) on the physicochemicalcharacteristics of kaffir lime leaves was optimized using Response Surface Methodology. Twenty treatments were assigned based on the secondorderCCD including 6 center points, 6 axial points and 8 factorial points. The quality of dried kaffir lime leaves was evaluated by determiningmoisture content, water activity, texture (brittleness) and Hunter L, a, b values. The results indicated that the most significant (p<0.05) hot-air dryingconditions that affect the physicochemical properties of dried kaffir lime leaves were the main effect of drying time and drying temperature as wellas the quadratic effects of the independent variables. The overall optimum conditions that resulted in desirable dried kaffir lime leaves, were achievedwhen the drying time was 4.9 h, the drying temperature, 60°C and loading capacity 1.4 kg/m2.Key words: Kaffir lime leaves, hot-air drying, physicochemical properties, response surface methodology, optimization, herbs and spices.
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