Optical, thermal, FTIR, SEM-EDX and 1H NMR analysis of Chenopodium album (Bathua) powder prepared using different drying techniques

• Published in: Microchemical journal Vol. 201; p. 110537
• Main Authors: Keerthi Reddy, B, Meena, Sunil, Brath Gautam, Priyae, Kumar Meena, Kamlesh, Chandra Rai, Dinesh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-06-2024
• Subjects: Bathua; Chenopodium album; Drying; Energy dispersive X-ray technique; Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy; Thermal analysis; Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); Chenopodium album; Bathua; Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy; Thermal analysis; Energy dispersive X-ray technique; Drying
• ISSN: 0026-265X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2024.110537

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•C. album is an under-researched crop containing abundant nutrients and phytochemicals.•It was preserved into powder form using sun, tray, and freeze-drying.•Minimum weight losses were observed in freeze drying indicated by TGA.•EDX revealed presence of C, O, K, Ca, Mg, P, S, and Cl in powder samples.•Functional groups of amino acids and fatty acids were characterized by 1H NMR.
Chenopodium album (L.) is an underutilized agricultural crop consumed as a leafy vegetable in Asian countries. Although perishable and cultivated in a specific season, it contains nutrients and phytochemicals in abundance. Preservation by employing drying techniques helps in their utilization in the off-season for better food security. In the present study, Chenopodium album leaves were dried using sun, tray, and freeze drying. The different powder samples were characterized on the basis of their physicochemical, optical, and thermal properties. The water activity of powder samples ranged between 0.29 and 0.56. The highest color retention (L* value 47.21) and lowest particle size (11.5 µm) was observed in freeze dried samples. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra confirmed the presence of several functional groups. Thermal analysis revealed the thermal degradation of powder due heat as depicted by change of state and loss of weight. Surface morphological study indicated that powder samples were flowable and element analysis showed presence of C, O, K, Ca, Mg, P, S element in powders.