Effect of microwave-drying on the quality and antioxidant properties of Ganoderma lucidum fermented sea-buckthorn tea.

Effects of microwave power on the sensory properties (taste and aroma), chemical composition (catechins, caffeine, crude protein, and amino acid), active composition (flavones, triterpene, polysaccharide, and ergosterol) and antioxidant properties (superoxide free radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities, reducing power) of Ganoderma lucidum fermented sea-buckthorn tea were investigated. G. lucidum fermented sea-buckthorn tea was dehydrated using microwaves at three power settings: 125, 250, and 500. After microwave treatment, a statistically significant difference in the chemical composition, active composition and antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05) of teas dried at different power settings was found. These results indicate that 250 W microwave treatments could effectively release and activate active components, improving the antioxidant activity of fermented tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]