Comparative assessment of dried moringa leaves of Nigerian ecotype

Moringa oleifera is an under-utilized vegetable plant known for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Current post-COVID-19 pandemic realities necessitate increased utilization of Moringa, with minimal postharvest losses. Thus, this study was conducted to compare the effect different drying conditions on microbiological safety assess shelf stability dried leaves Nigerian ecotype. Freshly harvested were divided into four (4) parts differently; sun-drying at day temperature about 42 0C 7 hours, oven-drying 45 6 shade-drying 2 days while last part combined sun-shade drying. A second batch fresh sun-dried double-packaged in polythene pouches rigid plastic plates that subsequently stored dark room temperature. Microbial enumerations all freshly samples monthly interval five (5) months. Proximate composition, chlorophyll, iron ascorbic acid contents determined using standard methods. The results showed no growth samples, irrespective Similarly, result indicated acceptable levels microbial throughout storage period. composition length significantly (p < 0.05) affected proximate samples. Moisture content increasing time from 4.18±0.28 6.33±0.29 g/100 g; protein, ash (total minerals), crude fibre, fat carbohydrates decreased varying degrees time, 36.10±0.51 35.40±0.50 g, 4.45±0.17 4.10±0.00 6.55±0.40 6.13±0.05 3.85±0.11 3.67±0.00 g 44.87±0.44 44.37±0.44 respectively. This decrease within compares favourably are found other leafy vegetables. chlorophyll decreases 110.24±6.21 56.37±2.24 mg/100 similar trend vitamin C contents. Hence, these indicate can actually be easily available methods sun-drying, storage; still maintaining standards food nutrient status. Therefore, powder exploited commercial purposes areas abundant production continuous distribution Nigeria. Key words: Under-utilization, Comparative assessment, Micronutrients, Microbiological analysis, Nutrient content, Chlorophyll, Iron