Author(s):

Gitanjali Behera and Kalpana Rayaguru

Abstract: The star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) belonging to family Oxalidaceae is one of the earliest known tribal fruit being grown in abundance in India. It is a multipurpose, drought resistant evergreen tree which is gaining lot of importance for its therapeutic potentials. Due to lack of technical knowledge most of these fruits are not effectively utilised. The present study was an effort to perform a quality characteristics evaluation of osmo-dehydrated star fruit slices subjected to hot air drying (HAD), Solar drying (SOD) and sun drying (SD). The star fruit slices were subjected to microwave blanching, Osmo-dehydrated and the process was optimized. Final samples were prepared at that optimum conditions and subjected to hot air drying, solar drying and sun drying. Quality analysis of the dried sample was done for ascorbic acid (AA), oxalic acid (OA), rehydration ratio (RR). The sensory (colour and shape) analysis was also carried out. Drying time taken was 6-13 hrs, 7-11 hrs and 11-18 hrs for HAD, SOD and SD. The solar dryer achieved considerable reduction of 75% in drying time as compared to that of conventional sun drying. The samples undergone microwave blanching and osmo-dehydration lost part of AA and OA during heat treatments. The sun dried samples showed very low sensory score (5 to 6) which was much lower than those of HAD and solar dried samples. Osmo-solar process may be recommended to be practiced at rural level for dehydration of star fruit slices as a compromise method between HAD and SD considering both the quality parameters of finished product and from energy consumption point of view.

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