Effects of drying methods on qualitative and quantitative of the essential oil of Bakhtiari savory (Satureja bachtiarica Bunge.)

Bakhtiari savory (Satureja bachtiarica Bunge.) from mint family (Lamiacae) is an endemic species plant widely distributed in southwest of Iran. The aerial parts of Bakhtiari savory were dried using different drying methods, i.e., sun-drying, shade-drying, oven-drying at 45 °C and 65 °C and freeze-drying. The essential oils of fresh and dried samples were obtained by hydro-distillation, and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The highest essential oil yields (v/w on dry weight basis) were obtained by oven-drying at 45 °C (2.3%) followed by freeze-drying (2.1%), oven-drying at 65 °C (2.0%), shade-drying (1.7%), sun-drying (1.6%) and fresh sample (1.2%). Twenty-seven components were determined in essential oils of S. bachtiarica, which were mostly oxygenated monoterpenes and hydrocarbons monoterpenes. The main components in essential oils of fresh and dried Bakhtiari savory aerial parts were carvacrol (31.2–42.2%), γ-terpinene (10.9–18.3%), thymol (11.7–19.4%) and p-cymene (8.2–14.1%). Drying of aerial parts of Bakhtiari savory in the oven at 45 °C was the most suitable drying method considering short drying time and high-oil yield.

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► The compositions of essential oil of various drying methods and fresh of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge were analyzed by GC–MS.
► The main components in oils of fresh and dried Bakhtiari savory aerial parts were carvacrol, γ-terpinene, thymol and p-cymene.
► We can be used drying of aerial parts of S. bachtiarica in the oven at 45 °C for fast drying and high-oil yield.