Effects of drying methods and drying temperature on product quality of Phyllanthus Amarus (P. Amarus)

Abstract

Phyllanthus Amarus (P. Amarus) is a precious medicine that has been widely used in traditional oriental medicine as a cure to treat liver diseases, diabetes, and kidney stones. This study evaluated the effects of different drying methods under different temperatures on product quality as antioxidant capacity (IC50) and color change of Phyllanthus Amarus. The P. Amarus was dehydrated by outdoor sun drying and three indoor drying methods: hot air drying, heat pump drying, and vacuum drying at temperatures of 35, 40, 45, and 50°C until reaching the moisture content of 11 ± 0.5%. The results showed that the drying methods and temperature remarkably affected the drying time, color change, and antioxidant capacity of P. Amarus. Among the four drying methods used, vacuum drying at 40°C resulted in better product quality by retaining natural color and the antioxidant capacity (IC50) with the shortest drying time (3.5 hours).