The invention relates to the technical field of
food processing, and discloses a method and a device for quickly oxidizing and coloring star anise. The method comprises the following steps:
drying star anise, and performing intermittent
irradiation treatment under the conditions of controlled power, temperature and
humidity by adopting
ultraviolet rays with a specific composite
wave band to catalyze phenolic compounds in the star anise to oxidize to generate reddish brown
quinone compounds so as to realize coloring. The device comprises a support, an
ultraviolet irradiation module, an environment control module and an
automatic control module which are arranged in a cabinet body. Through the specific
ultraviolet band and process parameters, the reddish brown effect of natural oxidation for 3 months is achieved within 1 month, the conversion efficiency is remarkably improved, the storage period is shortened by 66% or above, and the
storage problem that the red conversion period is long after star anise is dried is effectively solved. The method is simple and convenient in
process operation and suitable for large-scale
processing, and has a positive
promotion effect on upgrading of the star anise industry technology.