STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DRYING METHODS ON EXTRACTION OF OIL FROM LOTUS (Nelumbo Nucifera) SEED

The efficiency of different types of dryers plays a crucial role in various industries, including food processing, agriculture, and manufacturing.This study aims to compare the efficiency of four drying methods namely sun drying, solar drying, hot air oven drying and tray drying on the extraction of oil from Lotus seeds of Nelumbo nucifera and its effects on its characteristics.The study employs a systematic experimental approach, using shelled Lotus seeds.Each drying method is carefully implemented, with data collected and analysed to assess the efficiency of the respective dryers.Drying time is determined by monitoring the duration required for the Lotus seeds to reach the desired moisture content.The dried sample is then separated in four batches for each dryer and the resultant product is powdered.The seed oil is extracted using Soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether as solvent at 1:5 ratio and separated using a Rotary vacuum evaporator.The final analysis of the lotus seed oil showed that Tray drying at 70 degrees Celsius for 5 hours gives linoleic (13.01%), palmitoleic (4.46%), arachidic (9.01%) and stearic (12.45%) acids were the major fatty acids.The resultant oil yield for sun drying, solar drying, Hot air oven drying and Tray drying are 3.5%, 3.9%, 4.3% and 5% respectively.