Influence of Different Methods and Time of Post  Harvest Drying on the Essential Oil Content and  Composition In Eucalyptus Citriodora

Pandu Sastry Kakaraparthi; Dharmendra Kumar Rajpu; Niranjan Kumar Arigari

Volume : IV, Issue : I, January - 2014

Influence of Different Methods and Time of Post Harvest Drying on the Essential Oil Content and Composition In Eucalyptus Citriodora

Pandu Sastry Kakaraparthi, Dharmendra Kumar Rajpu, Niranjan Kumar Arigari

Abstract :

Eucalyptus citriodora herb harvested at optimum time was dried both under shade and sunlight for a period of 29 days after harvest. Observations on the loss of weight , essential oil content and composition were observed at 0,1,3,5,7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 days after harvesting. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation of the leaves dried under both methods (sun and shade) and the oil samples were analyzed by GC. A significant decrease in the weight of herb was noticed due to drying. Significant differences were also noticed in the essential oil content and composition. Drying methods resulted in significant improvement in the oil content, which exhibited an increase up to 5 days after harvest. Sun drying resulted in significantly lesser citronellal (60.91%) and higher isopulegol content (10.73%) compared to shade drying (72.01% and 7.95%,respectively). Citronellol content of the essential oil increased up to five days after harvesting in case of shade drying. Isopulegol increased significantly with increase in time after harvest in both methods of drying.