The objectives of the present study were to
determine the optimum conditions and evaluate the
quality of instant powder from lemongrass
(Cymbopogon citratus Stapf.) obtained from
foam-mat drying. For foam-mat drying, 25%
maltodextrin and three foaming agents including
methocel, a combination of methocel and carboxy
methyl cellulose (1:1) and a combination of
methocel and soy protein isolate (1:1) for an amount
of 50% (w/w) were incorporated into lemongrass
leaf extract at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% (w/w). The mixture
was whipped and dried using a cabinet dryer with
two temperatures at 60 and 70°C for 90 minutes. It
was found that using 1.0% of a combination of
methocel and carboxy methyl cellulose and drying
temperature at 60°C was the optimum conditions.
The quality of lemongrass instant powder presented
as following; 4.50% of moisture content, 0.49 of
water activity, 78.41, -1.82 and 20.89 of L*, a* and
b* respectively, 26.6 cfu/g of total plate count, < 10
cfu/g of yeast and mold, no present of Escherichia
coli, and < 2 MPN/g of coliform.
Abstract:
The objectives of the present study were todetermine the optimum conditions and evaluate thequality of instant powder from lemongrass(Cymbopogon citratus Stapf.) obtained fromfoam-mat drying. For foam-mat drying, 25 percent maltodextrin and three foaming agents includingmethocel, a combination of methocel and carboxymethyl cellulose (1:1) and a combination ofmethocel and soy protein isolate (1:1) for an amountof 50 percent (w/w) were incorporated into lemongrassleaf extract at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 percent (w/w). The mixturewas whipped and dried using a cabinet dryer withtwo temperatures at 60 and 70 degree celsius for 90 minutes. Itwas found that using 1.0 percent of a combination ofmethocel and carboxy methyl cellulose and dryingtemperature at 60 degree celsius was the optimum conditions.The quality of lemongrass instant powder presentedas following; 4.50 percent of moisture content, 0.49 ofwater activity, 78.41, -1.82 and 20.89 of L*, a* andb* respectively, 26.6 cfu/g of total plate count, < 10cfu/g of yeast and mold, no present of Escherichiacoli, and < 2 MPN/g of coliform.""