Comparative evaluation of CO2 drying as an alternative drying technique of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) - The effect on bioactive and sensory properties

•CO2 drying as an alternative drying technique of basil was evaluated.•Preservation of bioactive and sensory properties of basil after drying was examined.•Preservation of bioactive parameters depended on CO2 drying duration and pressure.•CO2 drying with suitable parameters might be a good alternative to freeze drying.

In this study the potential of employing CO2 drying as an alternative to conventional drying techniques of basil was evaluated, with the aim of preservation of native bioactive and sensory properties of basil. For that purpose, optimal CO2 processing conditions were established and compared to air-dried and freeze dried basil samples. The contents of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, chlorophylls, ascorbic acid) and antioxidant capacity were determined spectrophotometrically and using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-PDA) analysis. Color analysis and essential oil content were also determined, while consumer evaluation of sensory properties was conducted using hedonic scale preference analysis. According to the obtained results, freeze drying was recognized as the most suitable technique for preservation of color, essential oil content, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of basil. The essential oil content of basil ranged from 0.21 to 0.96%, and decreased upon prolongation of CO2 drying time. Among 4 identified phenolic acids (rosmarinic, chicoric, caftaric and caffeic), rosmarinic acid was the most abundant in all samples. Longer CO2 drying duration (4 h) also exhibited the most detrimental effect on the polyphenolic compound content and antioxidant capacity of basil. The taste and appearance of CO2 dried basil were scored higher in comparison to air-dried basil, but further optimization of CO2 drying is needed to improve its aroma properties. Based on the obtained results, employing shorter CO2 drying time (2, 3 h) and pressures of 80-100 bar at 40 °C might be a good alternative to freeze drying of basil.