Moringa is a typical tropic plant, the length of plant can reach 12m, the diameter is about 20~40cm and lifespan is about 30 years. With a widening field of research of Moringa, Moringa is recognized as a high nutritional plant. Moringa leaves, flower, seed and stem have the rich minerals vitamins. In very 100g Moringa powder, the minerals, vitamins and all the essential amino acids are higher than WHO recommend daily intake. Most of Moring products need to be drying process prior to fluid into market. Today, we would like to make an research to compare six different drying method including microwave, infrared rays, lyophilization, oven drying, sun drying and shadow drying. The different drying methods were evaluated according to the appearance and interior quantities of the dried leaves.

Method

1.1 Cutting the unnecessary Moringa flower and big branches is the first step. Weight 2~3g fresh Moringa leaves, using moisture measurement device checks moisture content, taking average moisture content statistics is by repeating 3 time measurement. Fresh Moringa leaves are divided into 6 portions, respectively drying by microwave, infrared rays, lyophilization, oven drying, sun drying and shadow drying.

1.2.1 Microwave Method

Taking fresh Moringa leaves is 1000 g, put them into a diameter 25cmceramic container and then using microwave dry samples, microwave power is 22.8w, drying time 2 min, stop 1 min, when moisture content of dried samples reaches 8%, people record drying time and appearance.

1.2.2 Infrared rays Method.

Taking fresh Moringa leaves is 1000 g, put them into a medical plate 40 * 25 cmthen put material under 50cm distance with 2000w infrared rays. When moisture content of dried samples reaches 8%, people record drying time and appearance.

1.2.3  Lyophilization method

Taking fresh Moringa leaves is 1000 g, put them into a diameter 25cm freezing plate, using freeze drying machine dry samples, power is 3kw, freezing temperature -25℃, vacuum 16pa. When moisture content of dried samples reaches 8%, people record drying time and appearance.

1.2.4 Oven Drying

Taking fresh Moringa leaves is 1000 g, put them into a medical plate 40 * 25 cm, using electrical hot air dry samples, with 3.3kw, temperature is 40℃.When moisture content of dried samples reaches 8%, people record drying time and appearance.

1.2.5 Sun Drying

Taking fresh Moringa leaves is 1000 g, put them into a medical plate 40 * 25 cm. Under the sun dry, the temperature is 25℃～35℃.At night, we take sample back to 5℃refrigerator. When moisture content of dried samples reaches 8%, people record drying time and appearance.

1.2.6 Shadow Drying

Taking fresh Moringa leaves is 1000 g, put them into a medical plate 40 * 25 cm. Under the shadow condition, the temperature is 15℃～20℃. Appearance changes of Morigna Leifera Leaves during different drying solution. When moisture content of dried samples reaches 8%, people record drying time and appearance.

 Appearance and Time 

From above table, we clearly say that microwave and infrared rays are idea drying solution according to time consuming and appearance.

1. Microwave uses less energy and time consuming, and microwave destroys thechlorophyllso the color is changed partially. Microwave drying solution is an ideal for a large commercial process.

2. Infrared ray also has little energy and time consuming comparing to other drying method, and energy microwave destroys thechlorophyllso the color is changed partially.

3. Lyophilization use lower temperature about 10℃so color is completely kept. But freezing method uses much power and time.

4. Oven Drying takes a longer time under 40℃

5. Sun drying needs a large space to process. If we count the night time, it almost spends 3 days to dry material.

6. Shadow drying causes Moringa leaves moldy phenomenon so it is not an ideal drying solution.

On the other hand, we should concerns the nutritional value after different drying solution. Please view below information about nutritional value.

Nutrition

Conclusion

1. View all the drying method, the smallest of appearance change of Moringa is lyophilization method; but microwave and infrared rays are more practice and convenient.

2. Different drying methods have less influence on minerals, protein and crude fat

3. Different drying methods have big influence on VC,VE and VB2.。Fresh Moringa leaves are better processed by Microwave and infrared as much as keep VC, VE and VB2.

For your Moringa leaves drying solution, you can contact with MAX Industrial Microwave. We are a industrial microwave manufacturer can produce both batch microwave oven and tunnel belt microwave furnace to handle with different Moringa material drying application including Moringa leaves, Moringa seed, Moringa powder and Moringa stem.