Degradation Kinetics of Chlorophyll Pigments in Dried Leaves of Polyscias Fruticosa (L.) Harms during Storage

Abstract

Chlorophyll is well-known as the only natural green pigment that owns high biological values with an enormous amount worldwide. In this study, the experiment was designed to a two-level factorial design with three factors, including storage temperature (4 and 28 °C), level of light (with or without light transmission through the package), and level of oxygen (high and low oxygen concentration in package). The chlorophyll content in samples was analyzed every three days. The results showed that the Weibull model could characterize chlorophyll content change in dried P. fruticose leaves. Factors including temperature, light, oxygen and their interactions significantly forced the rate of chlorophyll degradation. Storage of dried P. fruticose leaves at 4 °C, lack of light and oxygen could get the highest retention of chlorophyll a and b. And in this condition, the half-life was 222 days and 376 days for the degradation of chlorophyll a and b, respectively.