Effect of Drying Method on the Essential Oil Quantity of Basil (Ocimum basilicumL.)

In order to determine the best drying method that results to highest yield of extracted essential oil, this research was conducted on Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plants. Therefore, plants were harvested before flowering and were dried by three different drying methods (sun-drying, shade-drying and oven-drying at 45°C). The essential oil was extracted and measured through Clevenger apparatus. Results indicated that there was significant difference between drying methods and the highest amount of oil was related to shadedrying method.