Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is the most popular
tool used to determine the optimum levels of two or more
treatment variables and the aim is to optimize the responses.
RSM applications have been performed to model food
ingredients 20, 21, optimize food process variables 22, 23 and to
optimize orange beverage emulsion 24. Besides that, RSM can be
used for the determination of kinetic constants and investigate
enzyme stability and kinetics 25, 26. RSM has important applications
in the design, development and also formulation of new products,
as well as in the improvement of existing product design. It defines
the effect of independent variables, alone or in combination, on
the processes. In addition to analyzing the effects of independent
variables, this experimental methodology generates a mathematical
model which describes the chemical or biochemical processes 21.
Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of hot-air drying
conditions on the physicochemical characteristics of kaffir lime
leaves (C. hystrix), and to find the optimum conditions for drying
and production of high quality dried material that could be used
for a high food grade spicing material.