Sujatha M P
Post Harvest Studies in Adhatoda. (A.Zeylanica (Medic) & A.beddomei (Clarke)) - Vellanikkara Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture 2002
An experiment was conducted in the Department of Processing
Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2001-2002 to evolve a
suitable drying regime for adhatoda and to find out the suitable packaging materials
ideal to store the dried samples and hot water extracts with minimum quality
deterioration.
-
Sun drying of the whole plant chopped into pieces was evolved as the best
drying technique with respect to the quality attributes like vasicine content and
alcohol as well as water soluble extracts for A. zeylanica and A. beddomei. Chopping
of the whole plant helped in achieving faster drying. Roots of adhatoda also have
sufficient quantity of medicinally active constituent vasicine. So uprooting the whole
plant would be better than taking aerial cuttings alone.
Sundried chopped pieces stored in 250 gauge polyethylene bags and
powdered samples in steel containers had maximum retention of principal alkaloid
vasicine after storage in room temperature for 5 months for both the species and the
same samples also recorded the lowest microbial content whereas for hot water
extract, glass bottles were more ideal than plastic bottles as it gave better shelf life,
higher retention ofvasicine and lower microbial count.
The technique thus developed can help to store the materials in a limited
space for longer time without much spoilage or quality deterioration besides three
times the quantity of dried whole plant could be accommodated when it is powdered
and stored in rigid containers, additionally it adds convenience for the usage.
631.56 / SUJ/PO
Post Harvest Studies in Adhatoda. (A.Zeylanica (Medic) & A.beddomei (Clarke)) - Vellanikkara Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture 2002
An experiment was conducted in the Department of Processing
Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2001-2002 to evolve a
suitable drying regime for adhatoda and to find out the suitable packaging materials
ideal to store the dried samples and hot water extracts with minimum quality
deterioration.
-
Sun drying of the whole plant chopped into pieces was evolved as the best
drying technique with respect to the quality attributes like vasicine content and
alcohol as well as water soluble extracts for A. zeylanica and A. beddomei. Chopping
of the whole plant helped in achieving faster drying. Roots of adhatoda also have
sufficient quantity of medicinally active constituent vasicine. So uprooting the whole
plant would be better than taking aerial cuttings alone.
Sundried chopped pieces stored in 250 gauge polyethylene bags and
powdered samples in steel containers had maximum retention of principal alkaloid
vasicine after storage in room temperature for 5 months for both the species and the
same samples also recorded the lowest microbial content whereas for hot water
extract, glass bottles were more ideal than plastic bottles as it gave better shelf life,
higher retention ofvasicine and lower microbial count.
The technique thus developed can help to store the materials in a limited
space for longer time without much spoilage or quality deterioration besides three
times the quantity of dried whole plant could be accommodated when it is powdered
and stored in rigid containers, additionally it adds convenience for the usage.
631.56 / SUJ/PO