Effect of oven and shade drying methods on essential oil yield and chemical composition of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff.

Background & Aim: Kelussiaodoratissima Mozaff is a valuable plant of Apiaceae family that is used as medicinal and aromatic herb. According to the importance of drying treatment on quality and quantity of essential oil, the effect of different drying methods on essential oil yield and chemical composition of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff was examined in this research. Experimental:  This research done in completely randomized design with three replications at Research Center for Medicinal Plants, I.A.U., Shahrekord Branch, Iran. Drying methods, included air drying at shade and ambient temperature, oven 45 °C and fresh sample. The hydro-distillation essential oil was analyzed using GC and GC/MS.  Results & Discussion: The results indicated that there was significant difference among drying methods on the essential oil yield and chemical composition. The main component was (Z)-ligustilide that significantly increased in oven-drying (68.3%), while this compound significantly decreased in fresh sample (16.6%). The main compound in fresh sample was thymol with 12.3% that had significant difference with drying treatments. Recommended applications/industries: The results indicated the positive effect drying methodology on essential oil content and oil compositions of Kelussiaodoratissima.