Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Greener Journal of  Agricultural Sciences Vol. 4 (6), pp. 281-287, July 2014.

 ISSN: 2276-7770 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 040314174

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2014.6.040314174

The Drying Characteristics of Amaranth Leaves under Greenhouse Type Solar Dryer and Open Sun

 

Papu Singh*¹, Sweta Singh¹, B.R. Singh², Jaivir Singh³ and S.K. Singh⁴

 

¹Ph. D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Engineering and Food Technology, College of Agriculture, S.V.P. University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110 (U.P.) India.   

²Professor & Ex-HOD, Department of Agricultural Engineering and Food Technology, College of Agriculture, S.V.P. University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110 (U.P.) India.

³Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Engineering and Food Technology, College of Agriculture,            S.V.P. University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110 (U.P.) India.

⁴Division of Farm Machinery and Post Harvest Technology, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi (U.P.).

*Corresponding Author’s Email: papusinghujjwal @gmail .com / psingh84svp @gmail .com,

Phone: 01234 273028, Mobile: 09759678365

Abstract:

The dehydrated leafy vegetables have the potential to become an important product because of relatively inexpensive, easily and quickly cookable and rich in several nutrients which are essential for human health. The proper drying techniques are the most important aspect of leafy vegetable preservation. The use of solar dryer helps to reduce the losses and improves the quality of product. A Greenhouse type solar dryer was used and the experiments were conducted to develop dehydrated amaranth leaves so as to enhance the availability of amaranth leaves during off season. In the present study, fresh amaranth leaves were pretreated in two ways viz; (i) dipping in a solution (leaves to water 1:5 (w/w)) containing 0.1% Mgcl₂ + 0.1% NaHCO₃ + 2% KMS in distilled water for 15 minute and (ii) blanching in boiling water containing 3% sodium bisulphate for 2 min. The leaves were dried at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg/m² loading density, under greenhouse type solar dryer and in open sun. Untreated amaranth leaves were also dried as control samples. It is also grown as leaf vegetable through South-East Asia and Latin America. Leafy vegetable have gained commercial importance and form an essential part of diet, providing vitamins and micro-nutrients.

Keywords: Amaranth leaves, drying, treatments, GSD, OSD and chemicals.

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