The effect of different drying methods on the quality characteristics of Kappaphycus Alvarezii sp. seaweed powder

Sulaiman, Muhammad Syazwan (2021) The effect of different drying methods on the quality characteristics of Kappaphycus Alvarezii sp. seaweed powder. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Drying methods play a significant role in preserving the natural nutrients found in seaweed. This research aims to determine the optimum duration for oven-drying method based on the quality characteristics of Kappaphycus alvarezii sp. seaweed powder. In order to provide excellent drying behaviour, it should not eliminate the mineral content in Kappaphycus alvarezii sp. after drying treatment as minerals acts in maintaining the quality of the food. However, the previous studies show that the mineral contents in seaweed are heavily lost after the drying treatment by the conventional drying method, i.e., direct sun-drying method. Sun-drying method causes a long period of drying duration due to unpredictable and uncertain temperatures. Therefore, oven-drying may offer a solution as it can reduce the duration of drying since it utilizes a specific temperature, fixed and consistent. Moreover, it can avoid unwanted outside contamination which could possibly eliminate certain important chemical components. Nevertheless to date, there is a limited number of studies that have been done on the seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii sp. using oven-drying method since many researchers still focusing on the conventional method, which is the sun-drying method. In order to obtain and analyze the moisture and mineral contents for both drying methods based on the parameter that has been set, the tools such as moisture content analysis and mineral analysis have been selected. The optimum drying duration for oven-drying method is 10 hours as it provides low moisture content and high mineral content values. At 10 hours of oven-drying, Kappaphycus alvarezii sp. seaweed is able to keep and control the loss of the mineral content while lower the moisture content to retain the quality of Kappaphycus alvarezii sp. seaweed after going through the drying treatment. Thus, consumers will get benefits from this seaweed-based products if the quality of seaweed can be retained as the high nutritional value of Kappaphycus alvarezii sp. contributes to human nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and all the essential amino acids.

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