Basista Rabina Sharma's research while affiliated with Lovely Professional University and other places

An attempt has been made for drying of Bauhinia variegata flowers along with retaining its quality attributes. The effect of various pre‐treatments viz. steam blanching (0‐6 min), potassium metabisulphite (KMS) (0‐3000ppm), citric acid (0‐1%) and dipping time (0‐45 min) was evaluated on physico‐chemical as well as phytochemical potential of dried Bauhinia variegata flowers. The optimized conditions (blanching time 1.20 min, KMS 1031 ppm, citric acid 0.35 % and dipping time 18.72 min) for the pre‐treatment of Bauhinia variegata flowers resulted in desirable retention of the quality attributes (Moisture: 14.34 %, ash: 3.50 %, phenolic: 407.67 mg/100g, ascorbic acid: 66.38 mg/100g, protein: 24.18 mg/100g, tannins: 301 mg/100g, antioxidant activity: 87.40 %, flavonoids: 280.73 mg/100g and overall acceptability: 7.57). Cluster analysis revealed that all variables have significant and equal effect on the quality attributes of dried Bauhinia variegata flowers. Analysis through FT‐IR and HPLC counter confirmed the significant effect of the variables.