Influence of Different Drying Methods on Drying Characteristics, Carotenoids, Chemical and Physical Properties of Gac Fruit Pulp (Momordica cochinchinensis L.).

Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis L.) pulp is high in carotenoids and fiber; however, it is discarded during process. Both maturity stages of matured gac fruit could be used in the drying experiments. Gac fruit pulp was dried by different drying methods including tray drying (40-60 °C), heat pump-assisted dehumidified drying (40-60 °C), microwave drying (450-900W), mixed-mode solar drying and freeze drying. The Modified Henderson model presented the best fit of desorption isotherms. New model proposed was the best drying model. Quality evaluation by β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, total phenolics and antioxidant activity revealed that heat pump-assisted dehumidified drying at 60 °C provided the highest lutein, total phenolics and antioxidant activity and could reduce drying time by 25% and increased lutein, total phenolics and antioxidant activity by 12.6%, 32.0% and 0.3%, respectively and is more promising drying method for gac fruit pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]