Optimization of Post Harvest Techniques for Tinospora cordifolia

An experiment was conducted to standardize the post harvest technology for Tinospora during the year 2006-07 at Medicinal Plants Unit, Horticultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Coimbatore. The stems of 18 months old climbers were harvested and cut into pieces of different sizes (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 cm) and subjected to sun drying in temperature ranging from 29 to 34°C during day time and in night hours, the samples were kept in plastic covers to prevent re-absorption of moisture. In mechanical drying method, the stem bits were kept in hot air oven at temperatures 40°C, 50°C and 60°C respectively. The samples were weighed at regular intervals till a constant weight was obtained. The results revealed that sun drying of 2.5cm stem bits took the lowest (36 hrs) time for drying. While in mechanical drying method, 2.5cm stem bits at 60°C recorded minimum time for drying ie. 330 min/100g with a drying rate of 0.384g/min. The alkaloid content viz., tinosporine was significantly influenced by different methods of drying. The highest alkaloid content (0.045%) was observed in mechanical drying of 2.5 cm stem bits at 40°C as compared to sun drying with 0.033% tinosporine content similar length of stem bits. Regarding the storage study, the dried stem bits packed in polyethylene lined gunny bag retained the highest alkaloid content (0.042%) as compared to storage under ambient conditions (T ). 4