Effect of Harvesting Time, Drying Method and Packaging of Cowpea Leaves on Microbial Contamination
Gitau Jane Wanjiku,
Gathungu Geofrey Kingori,
Kiramana James Kirim
Abstract:After harvesting, cowpea leaves have high moisture content which exposes them to microbial growth. Drying is used to reduce the moisture and extend the shelf life. However, dried foods are susceptible to spoilage resulting from many microbial, biological, chemicals and physical reactions. After drying packaging materials used by farmers also expose the dried product to a range of microorganisms due to their different moisture retention capacity. This study aimed at prolonging the keeping quality of the dried c… Show more
Set email alert for when this publication receives citations?
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.