Effect of Blanching and Drying Process on Physicochemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Dried Chili

Abstract

Fresh red chili has a short shelf life, so it is processed into dry chili. However, the quality of dry chili may not meet the requirement of consumers. Pre-treatment (blanching) and drying can be used to maintain the quality of dried chilies. This research aims to determine the physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics of the dried red chili with blanching and drying treatments. In this study, we compared three blanching treatments of chili (water; 0.2 % vitamin C (w/v); and 0.2% Sodium metabisulfite solution (w/v)) for 10 minutes at 90 °C, with three drying methods (sun-drying, sun-drying with plastic shade, and cabinet drying at 50-60 °C). Chili was obtained from the Panjatan sub-district, Kulon Progo district, Yogyakarta Special Region Province, Indonesia, with a 90% maturity level. We found that the yield of dried chilies was 20% in all treatments. The moisture content of all blanching and drying treatments requires the Indonesian National Standard (INS No. 01-3389-1994) for dried chili (<11%). In all blanching treatments, sun-drying with plastic shade treatment produced the highest levels of vitamin C. The highest beta-carotene content was produced by blanching with 0.2% sodium metabisulfite solution and plastic shaded sun-drying (2.24%), and the lowest Total Plate Count (TPC) was produced by cabinet drying at all blanching treatments (<10 -4.10 1 CFU/g). The dried chili processing is expected to increase the shelf life and value-added of chili.

Gaining added value of chili (Capsicum annum L.) through processing and its challenges: A case in Bandung, West Java

“…Processing chili into dried chili, chili powder, and chili sauce (sambal) can be an option to increase the shelf life and added value of chili. By processing fresh chili into dried chili, they have a longer shelf life [12], reaching twelve months with good storage. Furthermore, dried products are easier to distribute, so their marketing potential is broader.…”