Osmotic dehydration of mushroom

Abstract

Response surface methodology with Central Composite Rotatable design was used to know the effect of three independent variables at five levels [Salt Concentration - 10, 15, 20, 25, 30%; Solution Temperature - 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 oC; Immersion Time - 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 min.] on dependent variables like Water Loss, Solute Gain and Weight Reduction of osmo-dehydrated button mushrooms. The best combination was selected on the basis of optimization by Response Surface Methodology. Second order multiple regression equations were developed for all the dependent variables to know the effect of independent variables. Osmotic dehydration treatment facilitates better results with optimum solution of Salt Concentration -10.21%, Solution Temperature - 50 and Immersion Time - 120 minutes with an optimized yield as Water loss- 52.585%, Solute gain -5.946% and Weight reduction of osmo-dehydrated sample - 47.023% with desirability 0.878.