Qualitative and quantitative changes in the essential oil of Laurus nobilis L. leaves as affected by different drying methods

► Effects of drying methods on yield and composition of bay laurel leaves essential oil were studied. ► Essential oil yield increased when plant material was dried at air and by infra-red at 45 °C. ► Concentrations of the essential oil components increased in the case of air drying. ► Results suggest that drying influenced both the quality and the quantity of bay laurel oil.