Effect of some pretreatments before drying on microbial load and sensory acceptability of dried mango slices during storage periods

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of some pretreatments, and drying methods on the microbial loads, and sensory acceptability of dried mango slices during storage periods. Four pretreatments (lemon juice, salt solution dips, hot water blanching, and control) and four drying methods (solar, tray, freeze, and fluidized bed drying) were considered and arranged in factorial experimental design. The microbial loads and sensorial acceptance of dried mango slices during storage times were evaluated. The result showed that the pretreatments and drying methods exhibited significant effects on the microbial load and sensory acceptance of the dried mango slices during storage periods. It could be inferred that the total plate count of dried mango slices ranged from 1.4 × 10 2 to 9.6 × 10 3 CFU/g while yeast and mould were 4.2 × 10 1 to 8.2 × 10 1 CFU/g during storage periods; it could be concluded that drying of the mango slices with those pretreatments and drying methods assured the microbial safety of the product for storage periods of 90 days. Generally, the overall acceptance of dried mango slice was good during three months of storage periods on the 7-point Hedonic scale, these indicate that the slices made from mangoes would be accepted when introduced into the market.