Characterization of dried horseradish leaves pomace: phenolic compounds profile and antioxidant capacity, content of organic acids, pigments and volatile compounds

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) leaves pomace, which contains high-value bioactive compounds, is the product resulting from pressing horseradish leaves for juice production. The aim of the current research was to investigate the effect of convective, microwave-vacuum and freeze-drying on the content of bioactive compounds in horseradish leaves pomace. Convective hot air-drying was performed at 40, 60 and 80 °C. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total flavan-3-ol content, total phenolic acid content, total flavonol content, chlorophylls and total carotenoids, and antioxidant activity were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Individual profiles of phenols and organic acids are estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), but volatile compounds are estimated by gas chromatography (GC). Totally, 14 individual phenolic compounds, 8 organic acids, and 49 volatile compounds were analysed in the studied samples. The main phenolic compound identified in horseradish leaves pomace was rutin (3231 mg/100 g DW), among organic acids—quinic and malic acids, and volatile compounds—allyl isothiocyanate, 3-butenenitrile and benzyl alcohol. In the drying process, the content of some (total flavan-3-ols, total carotenoids content) compounds increased, but others (TPC, total organic acids content) decreased, and it was drying method-dependent. Freeze-drying caused the reduction of TPC by 29%, whereas convective drying by 53–59%. Fresh pomace contains such isothiocyanates as allyl isothiocyanate and butyl isothiocyanate, which were completely lost in the drying process. Freeze-drying allowed the best retention of various phenolic and volatile compounds in horseradish leaves pomace.