title: Effects of four different drying methods on the carotenoid composition and antioxidant capacity of dried Gac peel.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.) is a rich source of carotenoids for the manufacture of powder, oil and capsules for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses. Currently, only the aril of the Gac fruit is processed and the peel, similar to the other components, is discarded, although it contains high level of carotenoids, which could be extracted for commercial use. In the present study, four different drying methods (hot-air, vacuum, heat pump and freeze drying), different temperatures and drying times were investigated for producing dried Gac peel suitable for carotenoid extraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The drying methods and drying temperatures significantly affected the drying time, carotenoid content and antioxidant capacity of the dried Gac peel. Among the investigated drying methods, hot-air drying at 80oC and vacuum drying at 50oC produced dried Gac peel that exhibited the highest retention of carotenoids and the strongest antioxidant capacity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hot-air drying at 80oC and vacuum drying at 50oC are recommended for the drying of Gac peel. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, 2258, Australia.|Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot, Daklak, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Hoang V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Chuyen
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, 2258, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Roach
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, 2258, Australia.|NSW Department of Primary Industries, Ourimbah, NSW, 2258, Australia.
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Golding
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, 2258, Australia.|NSW Department of Primary Industries, Ourimbah, NSW, 2258, Australia.
authors.forename: Sophie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Parks
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, 2258, Australia.|School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
authors.forename: Minh H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis*; D003890:Desiccation / Q000379:methods*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D029775:Momordica / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002338:Carotenoids
keywords: Gac peel; antioxidant; lutein; lycopene; β-carotene