Standardization of post-harvest practices for best quality essential oil production of Mentha arvensis L.

Mentha species belongs to Lamiaceae family is an important industrial crop, cultivated commercially on large scale. In this study, a common cultivar of M. arvensis with high essential oil content (Cim Kranti) was investigated determine the impact drying techniques for 10 days immediately following harvest and its chemical profile under three conditions: open field (S1), shade (S2), ventilated chamber (S3). According results, significantly higher (0.723%) 77.58 % menthol observed in freshly harvested crop same /1st day (T1) than any other conditions. condition (S1) has showed 0.68% having rich amount (76.86 ) fresh sample which decline 0.51% 76.88% at 10th after harvest. dying room (S3) (0.71%) 76.58 harvest, later decreases upto 0.6% 74.32% Results concluded that best quality yield should willingly be distilled just It also indicates postharvest processes followed harvesting appropriate method minimize loss oil.