Development and optimization of novel infrared dry peeling method for ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) rhizome

Abstract

Abstract The novel infrared dry-peeling method was developed as an alternative to the conventional lye and abrasion peeling of ginger rhizome. The experiments on infrared dry-peeling of ginger rhizome were conducted to eliminate the use of water and chemicals in peeling process, enhance the quality of peeled rhizomes and make it a sustainable method. The effects of operating parameters like infrared temperature (300°–400 °C), product to IR heater spacing (10–30 mm) and exposure time (120–300 s) on the peeling performance were investigated. The multiple response optimization was carried out using response surface methodology. The optimum conditions were obtained at 300 °C infrared temperature, 21 mm spacing and 120 s exposure time which resulted in the peeling percentage of 92.77%, 90.40% peelability, 6.94% peeling loss and unpeeled percentage of 9.6. The comparative study of optimized infrared assisted peeling with conventional abrasion and lye peeling showed that infrared dry-peeling results in lower peeling losses. The SEM images of peels showed that IR radiation causes the desirable changes in elastic and other textural properties of the peel.