Spinach Freeze Dried Materials: Source of Nutrients for Health Benefits

Abstract

Spinach is recognized as a good sources of phytochemicals and nutrients. They played an important role in the prevention of human diseases and maintaining good health. Besides its nutritional composition, biomarker components of freeze dried spinach also been studied including its microbial test. Lipid (305.8 ± 0.2 mg) and protein contents (550 ± 0.6 mg) are the two major components while chlorophyll (68.3 ± 0.15 mg) is the major pigment exist in spinach freeze dried material. Antioxidant components such as vitamin E, vitamin C and β–carotene are 0.24 ± 0.1 mg, 6.4 ± 0.12 mg and 1.37 ± 0.1 mg, respectively. α-linolenic acid contributed nearly 85% of the total unsaturated fatty acid. Dietary contribution of biomarker components in the freeze-dried material are as follow; α-Linolenic acid (14-21%), Vitamin E (6-8%), Vitamin C (16%) and β-carotene (17%). Microbial test indicated that this material is of a good quality ready to eat food.