Optimization of Process Parameters for Ohmic Heating of Ginger Paste

Ohmic heating can be suitably used for production of acceptable yellowish coloured ginger paste. Electrical conductivity increases and time of heating decreases with increasing salt level of ginger paste. Temperature of 80C is sufficient for ohmic heating of ginger paste. Microbial load is negligible in ohmically treated ginger paste for all the combinations of salt levels and voltage gradients. Ohmic heating treatment keeps the pH and TSS of ginger paste well within the acceptable range. Optimization of process parameters indicates that the optimum conditions of voltage gradient, salt level and KMS treatment for pH are 12 v/cm, 0.5% and 0.2 % respectively, for TSS 11.8 v/cm, 1.5% and 0.2 %, for L* colour value they are 20.5 v/cm, 0.4%, 0.2 %, for a* value 6.96 v/cm, 0.6%, 0 % and for b* value the optimum conditions are 8.6 v/cm, 0 % and 1% respectively