FACTORS AFFECTING DRYING AROMATIC PLANTS

Abstract

This Research was carried out to study the factors affecting drying process of aromatic plants. Drying process of aromatic plants are very important in order to meet the requirements for goodness of plants and make them available for local and international markets along year.

The main objectives of this study were as follows:

!-Studies the effect of temperature and relative humidity of air used (in drying) on aromatic plants and essential oil (quantity and stricture).

2- Study the effect of temperature and relative humidity for using air on equilibrium moisture content.

3- Study the effecting of temperature on the final moisture content of plants.

4- Study of affecting the treatment using water steam exposure during drying proccess on physical properties of aromatic plants and essential oil.

5- Estimate of drying time need.

6- Study the characteristics of drying for aromatic plants.

7- Calculates the beginning and final moisture content on dry basis.

8- Estimate the drying constant.

9- Determine the loss amount of essential oil peppermint at different time after steam water passing on the peppermint leaves in dryer.