Study on influence factors of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata by microwave processing technology / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the influence factors of processing Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata by microwave-drying, so as to lay a foundation for its industrial development. Methods: The drying process of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata was investigated by water ratio, drying rate and energy consumption analysis. The aconite morphology, contents of diester alkaloids, monoester alkaloids and alkanolamine alkaloids were used as indexes to study the effects of slice thickness, water content, microwave power and processing time on aconite processing. Results: The thickness, rehydration rate, microwave power and processing time had influence on the processing process and alkaloid content of aconite. When the thickness was 5 mm, the drying process had shorter drying time, faster drying rate and lower the energy consumption, but it had a higher content of diester alkaloids and lower content of the total alkaloids. When the rehydration rate of raw aconite slices was 60%, the drying time was the shortest. The order of average drying rate was 100% rehydration rate > 60% rehydration rate > 80% rehydration rate > 40% rehydration rate. The order of content of diester alkaloids was 60% rehydration rate > 100% rehydration rate > 80% rehydration rate > 40% rehydration rate. The order of total alkaloids content was 60% rehydration rate > 80% rehydration rate = 100% rehydration rate > 40% rehydration rate. The influence of rehydration rate on energy consumption was not obvious. When the processing time was the same, the drying process under the microwave power of 550 W had the shortest drying time, the fastest drying rate, the lowest content of diester aconitine and the highest content of total alkaloid. However, with the increase of processing time, the aconite was easier to be burnt under a high microwave power. Conclusion: The appropriate thickness, moisture content, microwave power and processing time in aconite processing process are helpful to reduce the toxicity of aconite and improve the quality of aconite. Therefore, the thickness of the slices should choose 3 mm, the moisture content should be 60%-80%, and the processing time should be reduced according to the increase of microwave power.