Document Type : Research Paper
Abstract
South Khorasan province is the largest producer of barberries in Iran and the world, with 14000 hectares and 98.7% of the national barberry production. Knowledge of harvest timing, proper harvesting and drying methods increase the quality and improve the status of barberries on the domestic and global markets. This study investigated the effect of harvesting method (striking, picking up bunches, cutting branches), harvesting time (mid-October, late October and mid-November) and drying method (drying in shade, drying in sun, industrial dryer) on product quality. The results showed that the mass density of dried barberries is influenced by harvesting and drying methods. Cutting branches caused the lowest mass density (214.86 kg/m3). The lowest colorimetric quality samples were produced by drying in the sun after the first harvest time and the best quality was produced by drying in the shade after the third harvest time. Results showed that drying in the sun and industrial drying methods reduced the color quality of the product. The results of sensory tests confirmed that the best quality samples were harvested by picking up bunches at the second harvest time and shade drying. The lowest assessment was for samples harvested by striking at the first harvest time and sun drying.
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