The impact of drying methods on quality parameters of purple basil leaves

Abstract

Purple basil leaves dried with natural drying, which was the traditional method, convective drying at 50celcius, which was the most common method, and microwave drying at 200, 600, and 1,000 W, which were low, medium, and high powers. The drying processes lasted 4,320, 195, 48, 25, and 14 min for natural, 50celcius, 200, 600, and 1,000 W, respectively. The most convenient color parameters and chlorophyll concentration to the fresh product were obtained at natural drying. While all drying methods were very close to fresh products regarding protein content; natural drying, 50celcius, and 1,000 W were found to have the highest concentration regarding P and K. Contrarily, 200 and 600 W were suitable for Ca and Mg conservation. The drying methods in which Na, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn reached the maximum were natural, 1,000, 600, 200 W, and 50celcius, respectively.Novelty impact statement This study is the first and merely study in the literature that examines the effect of drying methods on color parameters, nutrients, and protein content of purple basil leaves. In this respect, the study constitutes a profile in terms of revealing the nutritional aspect of dried purple basil.