Abstract

The contents of bioactive components such as flavonoids, phenolics, oleanolic acid (OA), ursolic acid (UA), amygdalin, chlorophylls and carotenoids in loquat (Eriobotrya japonicaLindl.) flower with different drying methods were investigated. Results showed that freeze drying can effectively keep the bioactive components, but the drying rate is slow. The microwave drying is rapid, especially at the high power, and the drying effect was better compared with oven drying. The contents of bioactive components varied greatly with drying temperature of oven-dried samples and decreased sharply when the temperature reached 100°C except OA and UA. The effect of natural convective drying was similar to oven drying at 60 and 80°C but with longer time. All the results suggested that microwave drying is more efficient and low-cost, and 60 to 80°C oven drying is recommended to be used under the circumstance of no microwave drying equipment.

Key words: Eriobotrya japonica, flower, drying methods, bioactive component.