Performance of Solar Drying and Evaluation of Phytochemical Profile in an Underutilized Fruit (Capparis Decidua) Ker

Abstract

Ker (C. decidua) is an important, underutilized fruit crop occurring in the arid region of western Rajasthan. This has gained special importance due to phytochemicals present in it with predominant medicinal properties. In the present study, the drying experiment of fresh ker fruit was conducted for 80 hours in phase change material (PCM) based solar dryer to retain its original colour and other important quality attributes such as phenols, flavonoids, β-carotene, saponins and ascorbic acid. Colour of ker retained as per CIE scale ‘L’, ‘a’ and‘b’ value 29.43, -11.2, and 12.15 respectively, in case of solar drying. It was observed that the β-carotene (4.38 mg), saponin (18.56 mg), and ascorbic acid (10.80 mg) decreased in pretreatments and solar drying compared to direct sun drying. On the contrary, the level of phenols (70.87 μg GAE/g) and flavonoids (18.56 μg RE/g) increased in blanching and solar drying. The level of β-carotene was found enough in one hundred gram of dried ker to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances of this important precursor of vitamin–A.