Mathematical modeling of the biochemical properties of carrots by microwave drying with different pretreatments using response surface methodology

Evaluation of the effect of ohmic pretreatments and blanching (enzyme removal) on changes in the biochemical properties of carrots was the purpose of this research in the drying process using the response surface method. Sliced carrot samples were added and left at 3, 5, and 7 minutes and 40, 60, and 80 volts. In the blanching pre-treatment, carrot samples were subjected to hot air from boiling distilled water for 5, 10, and 15 minutes to complete the pre-treatment process. This study dried slices of carrot samples at 360, 600, and 900 W using a microwave dryer. After drying, the amounts of antioxidant, total phenol, and flavonoid contents were determined. Then the results were analyzed using response surface methodology. The findings revealed that the high voltage and time in the ohmic pretreatment, as well as the time in the blanching pretreatment, had the lowest decreasing antioxidant content during the drying process. The lowest concentration of antioxidants was at the lowest voltage and time. Increasing the microwave power reduced the content of antioxidants, and lower drying powers had a higher antioxidant content in the dried samples. For the total phenol and flavonoid content in the ohmic pretreatment, the time and voltage of the pretreatment decreased their content, and increased power caused more total phenol and flavonoid content to be retained in the samples. Also, based on the optimization performed, the best microwave power was 360, 40 V ohmic voltage, and 3 minutes.