The effect of different drying temperatures on the essential oil content and chemical composition of Lavandula angustifolia Mill.

Abstract

Drying temperatures affect the content and composition of essential oils in plants containing essential oils due to the organs where essential oils are synthesized and stored. For this reason, many studies have been carried out to determine the appropriate drying temperature to obtain the highest amount and the best quality essential oil. In present study, it is aimed to determine the effects of different drying temperatures on essential oil content and components in lavender (Lavandula angustufolia Mill.). The samples dried at four different temperatures (35°C, 45°C, 55°C and 65°C) were isolated for 3 hours using Clevenger type apparatus and the obtained oils were analyzed by GC-MS. The essential oil contents obtained at 25°C, 35°C, 45°C, 55°C, and 65°C were 1.17%, 0.96%, 0.94%, 0.65%, and 0.18% respectively. It was determined that the major components of essential oils obtained at different drying temperatures were 1.8-cineole (17.88-50.15%), camphor (32.60-48.86) and borneol (3.46-9.45%). The highest 1,8-cineole ratio was found in samples dried at 55°C (50.15%) but the lowest in samples dried at 65°C (17.88%). The highest and lowest camphor ratios were determined in samples dried at 65°C (48.86%) and samples dried at 55°C (32.60%) recpectively. The highest (9.45%) borneol ratio was obtained in samples dried at 65°C, while the lowest (3.46%) ratio was obtained in samples dried at 55°C. The results obtained in the present study showed that Lavender essential oil content and composition were affected by drying temperatures and the optimum drying temperature was 35 oC.