As the results of the current research show, the darkness (luminance) (L*) value of pumpkins during
drying is similar to darkness of un-processed pumpkins, what is very positively. Pumpkins do not become
darker during drying. The pumpkins yellowness (b*) value increased 1.5 times during drying, comparing
to yellowness (b*) value of non-dried pumpkins (29.54±2.81). Such changes could be explained by the
decrease of product mass (the decrease of moisture content); as a result the colour pigments concentrate
in the dry matter of pumpkins and the colour of product becomes more intensive.
Carotenoids’ content changes in pumpkins during vacuum microwave drying were not relevant
comparing to carotenoids’ content in dry matter of non-processed pumpkins.