Abstract
This research aims to develop a new drying technology using super-heated steam to reduce the time required for drying ginseng and to enhance its quality. The drying rate of ginseng powder treated with hot-air drying after drying with super-heated steam was about 40% faster than the drying rate of ginseng powder treated with hot-air drying. Minimal difference was found between hot-air drying and hot-air drying after drying with super-heated steam in the general composition of the ginseng powder, such as its crude lipid, crude protein, crude fiber, and ash. Moreover, no difference was found between hot-air drying and hot-air drying after drying with super-heated steam in terms of the ginseng powder's mineral and free sugar contents. The crude saponin contents was 5.43% in the ginseng treated with hot-air drying and 5.4% in the ginseng treated with hot-air drying after drying with super-heated steam. The ginseng powder that was treated with hot-air drying after drying with super-heated steam had a slightly higher redness compared to the ginseng powder that was treated with hot-air drying alone. The number of microorganisms of the ginseng powder treated with hotair drying after drying with super-heated steam showed a reduction of one log cycle in the total bacteria and two log cycles in the yeast molds compared to the ginseng powder treated with hot-air drying alone.
과열증기 건조처리 후 열풍 건조한 인삼의 건조율이 열풍 건조만으로 건조한 인삼에 비하여 약 40%의 빠른 건조율을 나타내었다. 일반성분의 함량에 있어서 조지방, 조단백질, 조섬유 및 회분 함량의 경우 두처리구간 큰 차이가 없었다. 무기질 및 유리당 함량의 경우에 있어서도 두 처리구간 큰 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 조사포닌 함량의 경우 과열증기 처리 후 열풍건조한 인삼분말의 조사포닌 함량은 5.43% 그리고 열풍건조만 한 인삼분말의 조사포닌 함량은 5.4%로 두시료간 큰 차이가 없었다. 색깔의 경우 적색도를 나타내는 a값에서 과열증기 건조 후 열풍건조 처리한 인삼분말이 열풍건조한 인삼분말에 비하여 약간 높은 결과를 나타내었다. 인삼분말의 미생물 수의 경우 과열증기 건조 후 열풍 건조한 인삼분말이 열풍건조한 인삼분말에 비하여 일반세균 및 효모곰팡이가 약 2 log 정도 감소하였고 대장균군의 경우는 약 1 log 정도 감소한 결과를 나타내었다.
