EFFECT OF OSMOTIC DEHYDRATION AND ULTRASOUND TREATMENT ON WATER LOSS AND SOLID GAIN OF WATERMELON RIND.

Studies were conducted to use ultrasound treatment in watermelon (Citrulus lanatus) rind as a pre-treatment prior to osmotic-drying. A comparison with the conventional heating as pretreatment prior to osmotic-drying was also carried out. Effects of treatment time (10, 20 and 30 min in ultrasound and 1, 2 and 3 min in conventional method), sugar concentration (40, 50 and 60°Brix) and immersion time (0 - 6 h) on water loss and solid gain in watermelon rind were studied. Second order regression equations describing the effects of these factors on the water loss and solid gain were developed. Results shows the maximum water loss and solid gain of 81 and 46%, respectively for the watermelon rind treated for 30 min under ultrasound and immersed in 60°Brix solution for 6 h. In conventional pretreatment the maximum water loss and solid gain in water melon rind to the tune of 73 and 59%, respectively was achieved on treating the water melon rind for 3 min and immersed in 60°Brix solution for 6 h. The combined process (ultrasound pretreatment and osmotic-drying) was optimized for the operating conditions that minimize total processing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]