Title:
THE EFFECTS OF PARTICLE SIZE ON CHLOROPHYLL A, CHLOROPHYLL B, TOTAL CHLOROPHYLL, HUE, LIGHTNESS AND CHROMA OF CLINACANTHUS NUTANS DURING LONG STORAGE |
Authors:
Munirah M., Ahmad, S.H. , Ghazali, H.M, Mahmud T.M.M Ketaren B.R , Salleh, N.S., and Tajidin, N.E. |
Abstract:
One of the main herbs well known for its medicinal value is the Sabah snake grass or 'Belalai gajah' (Clinacanthus nutans). C. nutans extracts for ailments such as insect and snake bite and virus lesions (herpes simplex and varicella-zoster) have been reported.. Despite the importance of C. nutans, complete information with respect to commercial production and postharvest handling, such as storage form and storage duration of the herb in the local herbal industry is still lacking. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different storage durations (0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks) and different dried leaf forms, whole and ground leaf on colour (L*, C* and h ?) and chlorophyll content. Two forms of dried plants, shredded and powdered, were vacuum packed and stored at ambient (2+_1 0C) for 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. After each storage durations, the leaf samples were analysed for chlorophyll content and colour. Powdered-dried samples can be selected as the recommended storage form since it it can retain chlorophyll content and maintain good visual during storage. |
