The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of different drying methods (room, sun, oven, microwave, cross-flow, infra-red, dehumidifier, and freeze-drying) on maximum retention of the nutritional and bioactive compounds profiling of Talinum triangulare, which is a less-known perishable leafy-vegetable. The evaluation of various drying methods is to learn the best appropriate strategy for a post-harvest drying method for retaining all the potential benefits with minor loss. Microwave and freeze-dried samples held the maximum ascorbic acid quantified by HPLC with 1.36 and 1.11 g/100 g DW, respectively. The main carotenoid compounds identified were violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene isomers, trans-β-carotene, and cis-β-carotenes. Gallic, protocatechuic, catechin, para-coumaric, ferulic, rutin, trans-cinnamic, and quercetin are the significant phenolics and flavonoids identified and quantified by liquid chromatography. The efficiency of different solvents on bioactive extractions uncovered that the methanol and 80% aqueous ethanol were good for retention of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant compounds, which was affirmed through phosphomolybdate, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Dried T. triangulare foliage could be productively utilized as a promising raw material for food and pharma businesses because of its rich bioactive composition.
Keywords: Carotenoids; Drying; Flavonoids; Phenolics; Talinum triangulare.