Drying sage (Salvia officinalis L.) in passive solar dryers

Abstract

Sage plants (Salvia officinalis L.) were dried in the passive dryers in different times of the year. Different passive solar dryers were used to achieve the socio-economical benefits from drying the medicinal plants growing in Sinai area. Drying sage plants might be a source to increase the Bedouin income instead of cannabis or marijuana, especially if it is exported abroad. Four drying methods were used in this investigation to dry sage in two seasons, namely August 2009 and March 2010 before flowering stage. Plants were dried in an Unglazed transpired passive solar dryer with 100% exposure to direct sun-rays, in a greenhouse dryer covered with shading cloth with 50% exposure to direct sun-rays, and with 0% sun-rays while the medicinal plants were protected from sun i.e. in shaded barn. Investigations were carried out under the environmental weather conditions of Ismailia, Egypt. The study revealed that sage can be dried at different times of the year even before the flowering stage of the plants.