I sun dried some leaves for about a week for lab analysis. However, I had a very low DM value (less than 20%). What could be the problem because the leaves seemed very dry and there couldn't have been a mistake with the analysis? I repeated it twice and had similar results. After freeze drying the leaves I had a DM content of more than 80%. I really don't understand what happened
during drying some chemical changes can be done. you can see some of them in tobacco and tea processing. sometimes the weight can be reduced.
Hi Martha
During sun drying mainly catabolism process or break down of metabolites are occurred by enzymes in leaves and CO2 gas emits due to loss of starch. Because during sun dying enzymes are present in active forms for a long time. But in case of freeze drying enzymes are present in inactive forms by maintaining the low temperature (-40 oC) for a long time and enzymes dot not catalysis the catabolism process. That why you have got the different results.
Dear Martha, Their is a standard procedure for green leaf drying before chemical analysis. They are being dried shade after proper washing and soaked dried with filter paper, sun drying is not proper procedure. Yes during sun drying lot of chemical reactions may take place as discussed by various learned RG friends.being done. Thanks
- Badges
- Science method