Quality of pomegranate peel cultivar Valenciana as determined by different drying methods

Gabriel Danilo Shimizu,Camilla De Andrade Pacheco,Jean Carlo Baudraz De Paula,Carmen Silvia Vieira Janeiro Neves

doi:10.1590/0100-29452020431

Gabriel Danilo Shimizu, Camilla De Andrade Pacheco + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-29452020431

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Abstract

Abstract The pomegranate fruit exhibits medicinal properties due to the nutraceutical characteristics, especially of its peel. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of different drying methods on the physicochemical and biochemical characteristics of the pomegranate peel. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in subdivided plots: 4 (full sun [SUN], drying chamber [DC] at 60 ± 2 °C, cold chamber at 10 °C and 60% relative humidity (RH) [CC], solar dryer [SD]) × 2 (presence or absence of 1% ascorbic acid [AA]). The analyzed variables were mass loss, index of drying heterogeneity (IHD), Hue internal (LI, CI, HI) and external (LE, CE, HE) angles, as well as Chroma, of the peel, and finally, total phenolic compound (TCFT) and flavonoid (TFLA) content. DC treatment led to the shortest drying time, followed by SUN and SD treatments. A reduction in IHD was observed with respect to time, which was more pronounced in DC treatment. CC treatment produced a more positive response both for LI and LE. TCFT and TFLA content produced from DC treatment presented an interaction effect, which was reduced by the application of AA. On the other hand, dehydration without the application of AA in the drying chamber or in full sun resulted in the best responses in TCFT and TFLA content.

Highlights

Pomegranate (Punica spp.) is one of the oldest known edible fruits in the world, and is currently produced on a major commercial scale by the world’s largest fruit producers including India, China, and Iran (HOLLAND and BAR-YA’AKOV, 2008)
The fruits were transported to the soil laboratory of the State University of Londrina (UEL), where they were washed under running tap water and surface sterilized using a 2% sodium dichloroisocyanurate solution for 10 min
The drying methods employed in the plots were as follows: full sun (SUN), drying chamber at 60±2°C (DC), cold chamber at 10±2°C and 60±5% RH (CC), and solar dryer adapted from the method described by Cornejo et al (1991) (SD; Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Pomegranate (Punica spp.) is one of the oldest known edible fruits in the world, and is currently produced on a major commercial scale by the world’s largest fruit producers including India, China, and Iran (HOLLAND and BAR-YA’AKOV, 2008). Pomegranate can be grown in gardens as an ornamental plant, and is used in the chemical industry in the manufacture of paints. It is primarily used in natura since the aril, peel and seed of the fruit have nutraceutical characteristics with health benefits to those who consume them (OMAIAA, 2011). In addition to the use of healthy fruits, the production of a high quality peel is dependent on an optimized drying process, in order to reduce deterioration by moisture and favor post-harvest shelf life (SANTOS, 2010)

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