EFFECT OF DIFFERENT DRYING TECHNIQUES ON MINERALS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF LALI GURANS (RHODODENDRON ARBOREUM) FLOWERSNetravati Hiremath, Manjula Sheshagiri, Nutan Lepcha and Yangshi Doma BhutiaAbstract Rhododendron arboreum flowers are considered to be rich in phyto chemicals and secondary metabolites like polyphenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins etc., Rhododendron plant is commonly known for its aesthetic, sacred as well as for its medicinal value. In the present study, minerals and phytochemical composition were assessed by using Association of Official Agricultural Chemists protocols and other standard protocols. Rhododendron arboretum flowers dried by using the different drying techniques and further their minerals and phytochemical composition were assessed. Results revealed that in 100 g of sample, sun dried petals had the maximum calcium (651 ± 8.54 mg), iron (9 ± 2.0 mg) and phosphorous (121 ± 2.65 mg) content compared to that of hot air and microwave oven dried samples. Hot air oven dried petals had maximum content of polyphenols (290 ± 2.91mg GAE/100 g). However, sundried sample had shown the highest antioxidant activity of (113 ± 1.59 mg/100 g) as in comparison with other two treatments. Significant variation was observed in the phytochemical composition of Rhododendron arboreum flowers dried with three different drying techniques. From the results, it was revealed that different drying techniques has brought the changes in mineral and phytochemical composition in Rhododendron flowers. |