Effect of different drying methods on quantity and quality of active substances of Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpureae L.)

Background & Aim: The genus Echinacea (family Asteraceae), commonly known as purple coneflower, is an important medicinal plant that has been used for centuries, customarily as a treatment for the common cold, coughs, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, and some inflammatory conditions . The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of six different methods of drying to obtain the highest of active substances from Echinacea purpurea. Experimental: To determine the effect of drying methods on quantity and quality of active substances, the samples were dried with six drying methods (sun, shade, greenhouse and industrial-drying at 50° C, 60° C and 80 ° C). Active substances of aerial parts were extracted by ultrasonic method and the amounts caffeic acid derivatives, alkamides (8/9) were measured by using high performance liquid chromatography analysis, and also total phenolics determined with spectrophotometer. Results: The results showed that different drying methods had significant effects on active substances. Samples dried in greenhouse had higher amounts of chlorogenic acid (3.18 mg/g.dw), echinacoside (4.29 mg/g.dw), cynarin (1.55 mg/g.dw) and total phenols contents (363 mg / g.dw). Also, samples dried in shade had higher amounts of caftaric acid (25.8 mg / g.dw), cichoric acid (36.57 mg / g.dw) and alkamides (361.1 μg / g.dw). Recommended applications/ industries: Greenhouse drying and shade-drying were proper methods of drying to achieve more amounts of active compounds in E. purpurea.