Impact of drying methods on phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity of Terminalia chebula (Gaertn.) retz.
Abstract
The phytochemical rich Terminalia chebula fruits were dried under shade, direct sun light, solar and oven at 50°C and 70°C. Moisture content of the dried powder of fruits ranged from 9.8% in sundried samples to 17.13% in shade dried samples. Total phenol, total flavonoid, tannin and ascorbic acid contents varied from 24.68 to 41.8 mg CE/g, 233.707 to 315.91mg QE/g, 99.34 to 125.31mg TAE/g, and 3.57mg/g to 4.47mg/100g, respectively. Highest total antioxidant activity of 60.11mg/g was recorded for solar dried samples and lowest of 26.95 mg/g for shade drieds. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using DPPH free radical and was found highest for sundried powder. The solar drying was found better in comparison to other methods of drying.
Keywords
T. chebula, Drying, Total phenol, Total flavonoid, Tannin, Ascorbic acid
