The different drying method can be change some qualitative and quantitative of essential oils characteristics at florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum)

In this study, the different methods of thermal drying (50oC and 70oC), microwave (180, 360, 540, 720 and 900W) and irradiation drying (50oC) and their effects on the drying time and qualitative and quantitative characteristics of essential oil at Foeniculum vulgare Var. Azoricum were evaluated in the completely randomized design with three replications. Results indicated that the minimum and maximum drying times was related to the drying treatments with the microwave dryer at 900 W and cabin drying at 50 °C. However, no significant difference was observed between the three microwave dryer at 540, 720 and 900 W. The highest percentage of essential oil (1.45%) was recorded by Thermal Lamp dryer, microwave dryer at 900 W and cabin drying at 50 °C, but maximum chamazulene content was obtained at microwave 180 W. The based in this results, best drying methods and increase storage of Florence fennel biomass was thermal lamp, microwave and thermal dryer respectively.