Table 1.

Effect of different drying treatments on color values and color change in the leaves var. Butternut squash (C. moschata).

Postharvest drying	L*	a*	b*	ΔE
Raw	33.22 ± 2.46c	−7.45 ± 0.99c	10.61 ± 1.64d
Freeze-drying	34.46 ± 0.65c	−4.06 ± 0.14a	9.54 ± 0.34d	3.76 ± 0.19d
Microwave-drying	41.71 ± 1.75b	−7.54 ± 0.20c	14.52 ± 0.73b	11.98 ± 0.22a
Oven-drying	44.41 ± 0.14a	−9.16 ± 0.07bc	16.08 ± 0.08a	9.83 ± 0.16b
Solar-drying	41.65 ± 0.84b	−7.38 ± 0.16c	12.62 ± 0.39c	5.70 ± 0.02c
Sun-drying	42.38 ± 0.85a	−8.66 ± 0.22b	13.81 ± 0.37c	6.13 ± 0.23c

Means followed by the same letter within the column are not significantly different, p < 0.05, according to Fisher's LSD test.

Raw leaves data are presented on a fresh-weight basis; sun-dried leaves are included as control since they are used traditionally.