EVALUATION OF A NEW MODEL FOR DRYING SOME TYPES OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

Abstract

Egypt is one of the big important countries producing and exporting Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) products for several years. However, the Egyptian Medicinal and Aromatic Plants sector suffers from poor conditions of the merchandise in terms of quality and safety standards, lack of professional advisory services, additionally to a highly underdeveloped value chain. All of these factors affect negatively on the Egyptian Medicinal and Aromatic Plants position products in export markets and consequently the bargaining power of Egyptian exporters. The study aims at raising the position and competitiveness of Egyptian MAP products in export markets and developing its internal supply chain. Thus, it'll be supported an integrated development approach. The aims of this study are to Firstly reducing the time period for drying some types of medicinal and aromatic plants. Secondly maintain product quality and integrity during drying as well as the color of the final product. Fourthly to study the effect of drying method on microbial load. 4. A study of the extent to which the essential oil percentage of dried plants was affected by the new model and compared with the traditional drying method. Fifthly the chemical evaluation of the essential oil extracted from dried plants and its comparison with the oil extracted from the traditional dried method. Sixthly study the effect of the essential oil extracted from dried plants as anti-bacterial and viral, and compare it with oil from the local market. The data of this study obtained and recommended results can be summarized as follows: 5.1. Stack dryers for small-scale map growers in Egypt 5.1.1. Basic design The basic design was not adjustable enough drying for the reason that plants still green in the bottom and the middle of the boxes, there was black spots regards to enzymatic and microorganism activity, the first level on the top was dry, conversely, the plants burned because of the