Measurement and estimation of aromatic plant dielectric properties. Application to low moisture rosemary

► This manuscript is a new contribution to develop continuous extraction processes based on solvent free microwave extraction of essential oils, commonly used as flavouring agents. These processes are strongly dependent on the absorption of microwaves by the treated material, and therefore it is necessary to know the dielectric properties of the aromatic plants that contain the essential oil of interest, and its evolution during the drying process. ► Manuscript presents for the first time a systematic study about the calculation of the dielectric properties of aromatic plants from their main component. ► The predicted results are validated with experimental values obtained from partly dried rosemary. ► Rosemary dielectric properties experimental data.