Evaluation of improved vegetable baskets for storage of Amaranthus viridis (green amanranths) and Telfaria occidentalis H. (fluted pumpkin leaves)

Abstract

The new vegetable baskets (VBs) were tested for effectiveness in the storage of fresh leafy vegetables. Freshly harvested Amaranthus viridis and Telfaria occidentalis H. were obtained from farms and transported to Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, where they were sorted, washed and air-dried. Four different models; namely the pyramidal big basket (PBB), frustum big basket (FBB), polyethene lined small basket (PSB) and foam-lined small basket (FSB) were used while the control sample was left open in a plastic crate on the shelf. The set-up was monitored on 24 hourly bases for wetting, physiological weight loss (PWL) and physical observations until decay was observed. Sensory attributes and physicochemical properties were evaluated before and after storage using standard methods. Results obtained indicated that fresh green amaranths and fluted pumpkin leaves were rated higher in colour and appearance than the stored leaves. The PWL ranged from 16.18–100% and 18.42–99.62% for A. viridis and T. occidentalis H. respectively. The proximate composition analysis conducted showed that moisture, protein, fibre and ash contents ranged between 66.45-89.32, 20.32-44.36, 12.18-41.17, 5.48-15.40% respectively for A. viridis and 65.34-79.94, 12.57-26.09, 19.37-44.12 and 3.31-11.29% respectively for T. occidentalis. Conclusively, PBB, FSB and PSB conserved more weight, chlorophyll and vitamin C contents respectively in A. viridis; while FSB and PSB conserved more weight and chlorophyll respectively in T. occidentalis H. Thus, the three models; PBB, PSB and FSB were most effective in the storage of A. viridis and T. occidentalis H.