Vol. 10, Issue 8 (2021)

Author(s):
Gnana Deepika G, Sudha Vani V, Vinayakumar Reddy P, Viji CP and Sujatha RV

Abstract:
The present experiment was conducted at Post Harvest Technology, College of Horticulture, Dr YSR Horticultural University, AP in a Completely Randomized Factorial Design with two factors at unequal levels and replicated thrice. Moringa leaves were dried by using different drying methods viz., sun drying, solar drying, tray drying, vacuum drying and freeze drying. These dried powders were packed in three different packaging materials viz., PET bottles, aluminium pouches, LDPE 200 gauge pouches to know their suitability in retention of nutrients. The physico-chemical parameters of the moringa leaf powder was evaluated at monthly intervals up to 90 days of storage period. The freeze dried moringa leaf powder recorded the lowest moisture content 7.66%, water activity 0.42, Highest protein content 24.31g 100 g^-1, antioxidants 88.59% and calcium content 2013.44 mg 100 g^-1 at the end of storage period. PET bottles retained most of the nutrients during storage period. Maximum retention of nutrients was observed in freeze dried moringa leaf powder packed in PET bottles.