Influence of drying methods on retention of carotenoids and their antioxidant activity in marigold flowers

The present investigation was carried out to find the effect of drying methods on retention of carotenoids and their antioxidant activity in marigold flowers. The data revealed that vacuum drying method had retained highest total carotenoids (2765.76 mg/100g) and lutein (295.15pg/g) in dried petals of cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda (PNG), whereas sun drying exhibited lowest total carotenoids (79.92 mg/100g) and lutein (8.87pg/g) in dried petals of cv. Pusa Basanti Gainda (PBG). Highest p-carotene (16.45 pg/g) was retained in petals dried by vacuum drying method in cv. Pusa Arpita. Vacuum drying method also had retained highest total phenolic content (93.00 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (47.74 mg RE/g) in dried petals of cv. PBG. Vacuum drying method had retained highest antioxidant activity in terms of FRAP values (838.83 pmol FeSO₄/g DW) in dried petals of cv. PNG and DPPH values (76.63%) in dried petals of cv. Pusa Arpita, whereas sun drying resulted in lowest antioxidant activity (388.55 pmol FeSO₄/g DW and 53.41%) in dried petals of cv. PBG.