Drying method has an important role on medicinal plants production and affect quality of derived drugs. In order to study the different drying methods on some Achillea species, an experiment ...
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Drying method has an important role on medicinal plants production and affect quality of derived drugs. In order to study the different drying methods on some Achillea species, an experiment was conducted in factorial randomized based on complete block design (RCBD) with tow factors: Achillea species (5 species) and drying methods (5 methods) with three replications. The first factor was Achillea millefolium, A. eriophora, A. nobilis, A. biebersteinii, A. wilhelmsii and the second factor 1- drying under sun for 72 hours 2- drying in shade 25°C for 120 hours 3- drying in 50°C for 48 horse 4- drying in 100°C for 24 hours 5- drying by microwave for less than 10 minutes. Essential oil was extracted from fresh sample and compared with these methods. The results showed significant difference (p<0.01) between species and drying methods on weight loss, final water content and essential oil percentage. Result also showed significant interaction between drying methods and species (p<0.01). Highest percentage of essential oil was obtained from A. eriophora and lowest percentage obtained from A.wilhelmsii. Highest percentage of essential oil was attained from drying method at 25°C and the lowest amount in drying at 100°C. In conclusion, drying of Achillea in 25°C was the best method for essential oil content and quality.
