Determination of Biochemical Contents of Small Cardamom (Elletaria Cardamomum Malton) Grown in Ethiopia as Affected by Stages of Harvesting, Drying System and Drying Duration

Abstract

Small Cardamom (Elletaria Cardamomum Malton) capsules produced in Western Ethiopia face stringent market challenges, due to its inferior Biochemical (oleoresin and essential oil) products. The inferior quality is owed to harvesting stages, drying systems and drying durations. Hence, this study was conducted to address such issues and to enhance Biochemical contents (oleoresin and essential oil) and to generate recommendations. The experiment consisted of three stages of harvesting (Mature Unripe, Mature Semi-Ripe and Mature Ripe), three drying systems (Smoke, Wooden Bed and Wire mesh bed) and three drying durations (05, 10 and 15 days) laid out in 3*3*3 factorial arrangement using Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Data on Biochemical contents (oleoresin and essential oil) content of dried seeds and dried husk were recorded and subjected to ANOVA. The interactions were significantly affected quality of dried capsules. Mature Unripe capsules dried on wire mesh bed for 05 days scored maximum oleoresin (12.535%W/W) and essential oil (7.433%V/W) content of dried seeds. Similarly mature unripe capsules dried on wire mesh bed for 05 days scored maximum essential oil of dried husks (1.283%). On the contrary, mature unripe and mature ripe capsules dried through smoke for 15 days gave minimum oleoresin (7.374%W/W) and essential oil (4.717%V/W)) contents, respectively. Furthermore, mature unripe capsules dried through smoke for 15 days gave minimum essential oil (0.773%V/W)) content of dried husk. Therefore, for extraction purpose, mature green capsules dried on wire mesh bed for 5 days can be recommended for optimum extraction quality.

Keywords: Small Cardamom, Elletaria Cardamomum, Biochemical, Oleoresin, Essential Oil