Effect of Preservation Methods on Physicochemical Quality, Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Stevia Leaves

The effect of freeze-drying and gamma irradiation at 0.5, 1, and 2 kGy on the physicochemical composition (moisture, fat, ash, mineral, and chlorophyll contents), microstructure, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity of stevia leaves was investigated in the present study. The results obtained indicated that freeze-drying and gamma irradiation treatments caused significant reduction ( $p$ ≤ 0.05) of moisture and fat contents in comparison with those of commercial leaves, while ash content was not significantly affected. Mineral composition was analysed. Among the analysed elements, potassium and iron levels were higher in the freeze-dried and irradiated samples, respectively. The microstructure was analysed using a scanning electron microscope. Micrographs revealed that a higher porous size structure was obtained by freeze-drying, and degradation of cell wall structure was more clearly visualized by irradiation at 2 kGy. However, the main functional groups were stable as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The effects on chlorophyll content, phenolic profile, and antioxidant properties were evaluated before and after ten months of storage. In terms of chlorophyll contents, the freeze-dried leaves exhibited the highest content. Chlorophylls a and b decreased when storage progressed for freeze-dried leaves as well as for gamma-irradiated leaves. Both preservation methods gave significant advantages in increasing the total phenolic content and DPPH scavenging activity. Moreover, a significant increase of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity was observed as the gamma irradiation dose increased. In addition, the storage time increased the amounts of polyphenols and DPPH scavenging activity. After 10 months of storage, gamma-irradiated leaves had the highest total phenolic content as well as the DPPH scavenging activity followed by freeze-dried leaves. The results indicate that freeze-drying and gamma irradiation at the studied doses could be effective postharvest methods for preservation of stevia leaf quality.