COMPARISON OF CONVECTIVE HOT AIR DRYING AND FREEZE DRYING METHODS FOR MITRAGYNINE CONTENTS OF KRATOM (MITRAGYNA SPOCIOSA (KORTH.) HAVIL.) LEAVES

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effects of convective hot air drying and freeze-drying methods on the mitragynine content, moisture characteristics, and color properties of Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil. leaves. A completely randomized design (CRD) was employed, and mitragynine contents were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. Results revealed that freeze-drying and hot air drying at 40 ^๐C yielded the highest mitragynine content at 2.06±0.10 and 2.06±0.00 (%w/w), respectively, while increasing drying temperatures significantly reduced mitragynine contents. Freeze-drying preserved the highest moisture content at 5.18±0.24% and achieved the highest L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness) values, closely resembling fresh leaves. These findings suggest that freeze-drying and low-temperature hot air drying were suitable for mitragynine content and physical properties of kratom leaves, making them suitable for further processing and utilization.