Agricultural Research Journal

Biochemical changes in response to dehydration methods were investigated in basil leaf of variety Genovese. The leaf samples were dried by three methods viz. microwave, sun and tray (45°C, 50°C and 55°C) drying. Drying of basil leaves by all three methods resulted in the decline in ascorbic acid, phenolics, chlorophyll and antioxidative activity. Retention in ascorbic acid content was 27% in sun and tray (45°C) dried samples whereas it was 22.5% in microwave dried samples. Total soluble phenols, flavonoids, chlorophyll and antioxidant activity were highest in microwave dried samples followed by samples dried in tray dryer at 45°C. Increasing the temperature of tray dryer from 45°C to 55°C resulted in decline in all quality parameters. Sun drying resulted in minimum content of all these quality parameters. This research showed a possible use of microwave to dry basil leaves as it gave the best retention of basil quality and required shorter drying period as compared to sun and tray drying.