Abstract

An experiment was carried out to adjudge the effect of different drying techniques of post harvest on colour and saponin content of Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), a medicinal plant belonging to the family Liliaceae, has been traditionally used as adaptogenic drug. The present study was done on drying of fresh Safed Musli root in different condition like: shade, sun, solar and cabinet dryer. The moisture of about 62% is removed in 45 h when dried in shade and the temperature varies from 15 to 18°C, whereas in sun dried, the time taken was about 16.45 h and the temperature range is 25 to 30°C. Further less time that is, 5 h is required to dry the sample in solar cabinet dryer for 54 to 60% moisture loss and the temperature inside the cabinet was observed to be 39°C. But in cabinet drying for the loss of 65 to 70% moisture the time required was 4.45 and 3.30 h and the temperature lies in the range of 67 to 77°C and 64 to 74°C respectively. It was found that the minimum change in colour and saponin content was observed when dried in shade and maximum loss of saponin content was observed when dried in cabinet drier.

Key words: Chlorophytum borivilianum, drying, post harvest, saponin.