Effect of moisture content, storage temperature and storage period on colour, ascorbic acid, lycopene and total flavonoids of dried tomato halves

Dried tomato halves with three storage moisture contents [18%, 24% and 30%, wet basis (wb)], packed in glass jar, plastic container and polyethylene bag were stored in room and cool-chamber environments for 5 months. During storage period average room and cool-chamber temperatures were 20 +/- 4 and 5 +/- 1 degrees C respectively. Changes of colour, ascorbic acid, lycopene, total flavonoids and moisture contents were monitored 1-month interval. Significantly higher losses of colour, ascorbic acid, lycopene and total flavonoids were found for room environment than those of cool chamber. A set of regression equations had been developed for colour, ascorbic acid, lycopene and total flavonoids as a function of storage time. No visible microorganisms were detected in the samples during the storage period. Dried tomato with <= 24% (wb) moisture content may be recommended to store in cool chamber (5 degrees C) and <= 18% (wb) to store in room environment (20 degrees C) both to be packed in glass jar.