SoLVeD

This project aims to determine optimal drying conditions for processing vegetable amaranth, cowpeas leaves, African nightshades and jute mallow using a hybrid desiccant/solar drier.

The problem of malnutrition and nutrient deficiency, particularly in women and children as well as droughts that lead to reduction in food supply and starvation are well documented for Sub Saharan Africa. Yet in the same region, post-​harvest losses of vegetables are significantly high, up to half the produce, mainly due to lack of technical packages for preservation. With increasing urbanization, there is rising demand for packaged food. African leafy vegetables (ALVs) have been found to have high levels of nutrients and phytochemicals. Therefore, these vegetables have potential for up scaling to address food security, nutrient deficiency and packaging for urban consumption. They sprout in large volumes during the rainy seasons and require very little inputs. This study intends to address the problem of post-harvest losses of the African leafy vegetables by preservation through drying. In particular a hybrid super absorbent polymer (SAP) / solar drying system will be considered for drying. This method is likely to optimize nutrient, phytochemical as well as colour preservation as it operates at low temperatures, is simple to construct and minimizes energy cost. Hence the processed vegetables will be of high quality but supplied at the lowest price possible. The study will encompass soft matter characterization of the vegetables to understand structural changes the vegetable undergoes during processing with an objective of predicting optimal processing conditions and preserving the important properties of the dried vegetables. Nuclear magnetic resonance and microscopic optical methods will be used for soft matter characterization. Optimum storage conditions, shelf life and appropriate packaging material will be determined through sorption isotherms.