The present method is related to a molecular press dehydration method of
vegetative tissues using water-soluble polymers in solid-phase as
dehydrating agents. The molecular press dehydration method of the present
invention is characterized by that dehydration is done by induction of
cytorrhysis to vegetative tissues mixed with water-soluble polymers such
as PEG, gum arabic, arabinogalactan, egg albumin, milk protein, soybean
protein, etc. in its solid-phase. Compared to the conventional
dehydration methods, the present method enables to obtain much greater
dehydration effects in the amount and the rate, even though a very small
amount of polymer substance is used; and the method enables to obtain
excellent quality of dehydrated tissues as well as dehydrated exudates;
and is environmentally friendly under favor of reduced energy
consumption. The dehydrated vegetative tissues are excellent in their
storage stability, and flavor and texture after rehydration, and
dehydrated exudates are excellent in the concentrated useful components,
flavor, and preservation quality. Therefore, the dehydrated vegetative
tissues and exudates obtained by using the dehydration method of the
present invention may be usefully applied to various fields such as foods
and beverages, feeds, cosmetics, medicines, flavorings, agricultural
chemicals, coloring agents, etc. according to the characteristics of
plants.