Experiment code 17.9.3.24
Experiment Title Drying of mahua (Madhuca Longifolia) flower for powder.
Research Type Departmental Research
Experiment Background Mahua is a large deciduous tree growing widely under dry tropical and sub tropical climatic conditions. Madhuca Longifolia distributed in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhatisgadh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Tribal and meagre store this as a grain substitute. Alcoholic drinks are prepared by the fermentation of the flowers (Amia and Ekka, 2014). Mahua, the Indian Butter-nut tree, is economically vital in tribal population because of the extensive usages of its various parts, namely, flowers, fruits, seeds and timber (Ramadan et al., 2016). Mahua tree flowers during the sparest season of agriculture (March-April). It acts as a source of income and employment generation for the frailest section of the society. It is an important tree for poor, greatly valued for its flowers and its seeds known as tora. The flowers are used as tonic, analgesic and diuretic, traditionally used as cooling agent, tonic, aphrodisiac, astringent, demulcent and for the treatment of helminths, acute and chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis as well as bronchitis. The flowers get spoiled easily by absorbing atmospheric moisture because of their hygroscopic nature. The tribal people are bound to sell their collections immediately with little value addition or without value addition. Only a trivial amount of Mahua flowers is consumed fresh, cooked or fried in various regions of the country (Bakhara et al., 2016). Spoilage or rotting is the most significant form of wastage that accounts for 20–25 per cent of postharvest losses in Mahua flowers, which become suitable only for the liquor production units and as feed for cattle (Behera et al., 2012; Patel and Naik, 2010). Thus, the true worth of this natural product remains misspent in spite of being a rich source of nutrients (Sinha et al., 2017). Mahua flowers are well known for their high reducing sugar and nutrient content However, due to the lack of proper scientific investigation and post harvest processing technologies, they are collected and subjected to open yard sun drying till about 80% moisture is lost, before storage (Patel and Naik, 2008). This process results in heavy microbial load and degrades their food value, finally making them suitable only for the liquor distillation units and as cattle feed. This way a precious, organic and easily available source of natural sugar is being under-utilized. Keeping in view all these points, the present investigation was undertaken with the following objectives:
Experiment Group Agricultural Engineering
Unit Type (02)EDUCATION UNIT
Unit (27)COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING NARMADA (DEDIAPADA)
Department (318)Processing and Food Engineering
BudgetHead (344/12403/00)344/05/REG/02473
Objective
  1. To optimize the drying parameter for good quality of powder.
  2. To evaluate quality parameter of dried mahua flower powder.
  3. To analyze the techno-economical feasibility of dried mahua flower powder. 
  4. To study the drying kinetic of dried mahua flower using various existing mathematical models.
Season Summer
Location Unit Type (02)EDUCATION UNIT
Location Unit (27)COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING NARMADA (DEDIAPADA)
Location Department (318)Processing and Food Engineering
Plot No Not Applicable
PI Name (NAU-EMP-2012-000098)SATYA NARAYAN SINGH
PI Email snsingh@nau.in
PI Mobile 6352098404
Year of Approval 2021
Commencement Year 2022
Completion Year 2024
Design of Experiment (Other)

CRD
Crop Spacing (cm x cm)

Not Applicable
Gross Plot (m x m) Not Applicable
Net Plot (m x m) Not Applicable
Total Experiment Area (m2) Not Applicable
Plot History Last Three Year

Not Applicable
Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report

Not Applicable
Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report Attachment Attachment Not Available!
Layout Plan

Not Applicable
Layout Plan Attachment Attachment Not Available!
Treatment

 

T1

:

Tray drying with 6.25 kg/m2 at 50 ºC

T2

:

Tray drying with 12.50 kg/m2 at 50 ºC

T3

:

Tray drying with 6.25 kg/m2 at 60 ºC

T4

:

Tray drying with 12.50 kg/m2 at 60 ºC

T5

:

Tray drying with 6.25 kg/m2 at 70 ºC

T6

:

Tray drying with 12.50 kg/m2 at 70 ºC

T7

:

Sun drying with 6.25 kg/m2

T8

:

Sun drying with 12.50 kg/m2
Treatment Attachment Attachment Not Available!
(NAU-EMP-2012-000098) SATYA NARAYAN SINGH snsingh@nau.in 6352098404 02-02-2023
Active
(NAU-EMP-2014-000096) RAJESH GOPICHAND BURBADE rajeshburbade@nau.in 9712998128 17/02/2021
Active
(NAU-EMP-2013-000924) FAKIR MOHAN SAHU fmsphtc@nau.in 9879123286 17/02/2021
Active
Processing of Horticultural/Forest Crops Drying and Dehydration

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