EVALUATE THE SORPTION BEHAVIOR AND IDENTIFICATION OF OPTIMUM DRYING CONDITIONS OF Phylanthus ambelica (NELLI) AND Zingiber officinale (GINGER)

Abstract

Drying behavior and the optimum drying conditions of Phylanthus ambelica (Nelli) and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) were evaluated. Moisture sorption isotherms were determined using the static gravimetric method using saturated salt solutions of water activities range from 0.05% - 0. 92% at two temperatures of 30° C and 50° C. Modified Henderson, Modified Chung-Pfost and GAB models were used to fit the experimental data and it was best fitted by the Chung-Pfost model. Thus Chung-Pfost model was used for the estimation of the equilibrium moisture content of tested medicinal crops. The process conditions for drying were optimized and 50° C was found to be the best suitable drying temperature for Phylanthus ambelica (Nelli) as well 40° C was preferred for Zingiber officinale (Ginger) with respect to preservation of its volatile substance significantly (p< 0.05).