Optimasi Suhu Pengeringan dan Ketebalan Irisan pada Proses Pengeringan Jahe Merah (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) dengan Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Abstract

Suhu pengeringan dan ketebalan irisan merupakan dua hal yang mempengaruhi proses pengeringan jahe merah. Penelitian dirancang dengan tujuan untuk mendapatkan kombinasi suhu pengeringan dan ketebalan irisan optimum melalui Response Surface Methodology (RSM), serta memperoleh model matematika untuk memprediksi kadar air, aktivitas air, kadar abu dan energi panas penguapan. Pengujian dilakukan untuk mengetahui pengaruh suhu dan ketebalan irisan terhadap respon kadar air, aktivitas air, kadar abu dan energi panas penguapan. Pengolahan data menggunakan aplikasi Design Expert ® 12. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan model linier untuk memprediksi respon kadar air dan kadar abu. Model kuadratik untuk memprediksi respon aktivitas air dan energi panas penguapan. Hasil verifikasi model menunjukkan kombinasi suhu pengeringan dan ketebalan irisan optimum terpilih adalah 67,3⁰C dan 3 mm. Proses pengeringan dengan kombinasi suhu pengeringan dan ketebalan irisan optimum menghasilkan nilai aktual aktivitas air 0,393 a_w, kadar air 9,877%, kadar abu 3,513% dan energi panas penguapan sebesar 68,354 kJ/Jam. Respon dari kombinasi suhu pengeringan dan ketebalan irisan optimum terpilih dapat memenuhi keinginan sesuai kriteria dengan nilai desirability 81,3%.

Drying temperature and thickness of slices are two things that affect the drying process of red ginger. The research was designed with the aim of obtaining a combination of drying temperature and optimum slice thickness through the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), as well as obtaining mathematical models to predict water content, water activity, ash content and evaporation heat energy. Testing was conducted to determine the effect of the temperature and thickness of the slices on the response of water content, water activity, ash content and evaporation heat energy. Data processing using design expert application ® 12. The results showed linear models to predict the response of water levels and ash levels. Quadratic models to predict the response of water activity and evaporation heat energy. Model verification results show the combination of drying temperature and optimum slice thickness selected is 67.3⁰C and 3 mm. The drying process with a combination of drying temperature and optimum slice thickness resulted in an actual water activity value of 0.393 a_w, water content of 9.877%, ash content of 3.513% and evaporation heat energy of 68,354 kJ/h. The response of the combination drying temperature and thickness of selected optimum slices can meet the wishes according to the criteria with a desirability value of 81.3%.