Impact of Passive Solar Drying and Storage on Secondary Plant Metabolites and Nitrate Contents of Abyssinian Mustard, Amaranth, and Pumpkin Leaves.

ABSTRACT: The present study compared the effect of passive direct solar dryer (PDSD) and passive indirect solar dryer (PISD), each followed by a 30-day storage period, on the secondary plant metabolite and nitrate contents of amaranth, Abyssinian mustard, and pumpkin leaves. Total carotenoid contents were retained in amaranth (0.70-0.85 mg g^-1 dry weight [DW]) and pumpkin leaves (1.04-1.16 mg g^-1 DW) following PDSD and PISD. However, for Abyssinian mustard, a significant decrease of the total carotenoid contents (45% PDSD, 33% PISD) was observed compared to the control (oven-dried leaves) (0.98 mg g^-1 DW). Total flavonoid contents were maintained across the vegetables (2.83-78.20 mg g^-1 DW) irrespective of the drying treatment, except for amaranth leaves,

SUBMITTER: Chacha JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12780662 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature