Effect of drying conditions on quality of green leaves during long term storage

The effect of drying, packaging and storage conditions on the retention of beta -carotene and ascorbic acid. and browning during storage of savoy beet and amaranth leaves was determined. Higher losses of beta -carotene and as corbic acid were observed in solar drying as compared to cabinet drying. Ch lorophyll loss was also higher in solar drying. During storage of dehydrate d green leaves a continuous decline in nutrients and chlorophyll, and an in crease in browning was observed. Storage at low temperature and packaging i n double layers of polyethylene film limited loss of quality parameters. (C ) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.