Quality of dried seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii with traditional drying methods from North Gorontalo

Abstract

Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed collected from farmers in North Gorontalo were dried under the sun for 4-5 days. The aim of this research was to compare the quality of dried K. alvarezii processed by 3 different methods, i.e. use of plastic sheets, use of bamboo shelf and dry hanging. During the drying period, temperature was monitored and sensory checking was carried out to asses physical appearance, texture, moisture, impurities and CAW (clean anhydrous weed) levels of dried seaweed. Drying using plastic sheets and bamboo shelf was carried out for 5 days @ 6-7 hours at temperature of 29.8°C. The quality of K. alvarezii dried on plastic sheets showed less clean appearance, rather dull specific type, dry texture was less uniform, the clay was not easily broken, moisture level was 4.96%, impurities was 7.23%, CAW was 87.52%. The quality of K. alvarezii dried on bamboo shelf had a slightly less clean appearance, specific type of less bright color, less uniform dry texture, clay was not easily broken, moisture level was 4.64%, impurities was 7.18%, CAW was 74.77%. The quality of K. alvarezii dried by dry hanging over 4 days @ 7 hours at temperature of 29.8°C, had less clean appearance, specific dull color, evenly dry texture, the clay was not easily broken, moisture was 8.25%, impurities was 7.21%, and CAW was 61.29%.