Physical Quality and Carotene Content of Solar-Dried Green Leafy and Yellow Succulent Vegetables

The effects of vegetable type, vegetable dimensions, and solar drier load on dehydration rate; and texture, color, water activity, and carotene content of solar-dried carrots, sweet potatoes, and collard greens were studied. Mean dehydration rates (moisture loss,%/hr) for solar dried loads of 430 g/m² and 715 g/m² were 3.3 ± 0.30% and 3.8 ± 0.20% for carrots and sweet potatoes, respectively. Loads of 360 g/m² and 465 g/m² of collard greens had dehydration rates of 6.3 ± 0.10% moisture loss per hr. The results showed that vegetable type accounted for significant differences (p < 0.01) in dehydration rate, and beta-carotene content. Vegetable dimensions affected (p < 0.05) water activity. Solar drier load affected water activity (p < 0.01), and hue angle (p < 0.05). Beta-carotene contents (dry basis) of dehydrated carrot, sweet potato, and collard treatments were 10.9–17.4%, 7.6–9.8%, and 11.9–21.5%, respectively. Among the carrot treatments, the 5-mm thick slices packed at a load of 715 g/m² contained the highest beta-carotene (17.4%, dry basis) and vitamin A activity (362 IU/g, dry basis), and good physical properties. For collard greens, the 2-cm and 3-cm wide strips packed at 360 g/m² loads had the best combinations of high beta-carotene (21.5% and 17.2%, dry basis, respectively), vitamin A activity (357.2 and 293.1 IU/g, dry basis, respectively), and optimal color, texture, and water activity. Beta-carotene losses due to solar dehydration were 48.9–67.5%, 4.0–5.8%, and 1.9–19.8% (dry basis) in carrots, sweet potato and collard greens, respectively.