Response Surface Optimization Of Conditions Of Processing Variables Affecting The Osmotic Dehydration Of Pomegranate Arils

Abstract

Response surface methodology (2019) is used to optimize the osmotic dehydration of the
pomegranate arils by varying the three variables. The minimum and maximum levels for variables were, for
temperature are maintained as 49 and 113°C, 42 and 58 °Brix concentration for osmotic solution, 40 and
53min duration for dipping in osmotic solution. The sucrose solution is used as the osmotic solution by
varying the brix, temperature and duration. 1:4(W/W) ratio for fruit to solution respectively is used for
overall experiments. The whole pomegranate is freeze to -18°C before dipping in the solution to allow high
permeability of the outer cellular layers of pomegranate arils. The arils moisture was further maintained to
10% (wb) by dehydrating convectively at 60°C to make it SSP. The optimized condition of the parameters is
40-50° Brix, 80-90°C and 40-60 minutes of duration of osmotic dehydration process.