Objective To evaluate of the effects of drying methods on the quality of Astragalus membranaceus based on technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution analysis. Methods In this study, 6 kinds of drying methods including hot air drying (HAD), heat pump drying (HPD), carbon fiber far infrared combined heat pump drying (CFFCHPD), medium short wave infrared drying (MSWID), vacuum pulsating drying (VPD), and vacuum freeze-drying (FD) were conducted to drying experiments. The effect of the drying time, unit energy consumption, color, sensory quality and effective components of Astragalus membranaceus were evaluated by technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS). Results The results showed that CFFCHPD had the shortest drying time and lowest energy consumption for Astragalus membranaceus, with (0.15±0.00) h and (3.41±0.03) (kW·h)/kg, respectively. The L* of the dried sample was the highest, which could have a positive effect on maintaining the color of Astragalus membranaceus, while other treatments showed varying degrees of browning. The VPD had the highest sensory score, but there was not significant difference with other treatments. CFFCHPD had a better taste, making its freshness, sweetness and richness at a high level. At the same time, retaining the nutritional components such as astragalosides, polysaccharides and calycosin-7-glucoside in Astragalus membranaceus could achieve better quality. Correlation analysis showed that the L* was negatively correlated with the content of astragalosides and positively correlated with the content of polysaccharides. The a* was positively correlated with the content of astragalosides, and the content of astragalosides and polysaccharides could be indirectly judged by color. Conclusion The comprehensive ranking of CFFCHPD ranked first, indicating that CFFCHPD is a promising combined drying technology suitable for drying traditional Chinese medicinal materials. This research result provides certain data support for efficient and high-quality drying of Astragalus membranaceus.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |