Essential oil content and composition of Lippa citriodora as affected by drying method in full flowering stages

ABSTRACT: The aerial parts of Lippa citriodora (Verbenaceae) were collected at the full-flowering stage and dried by three different drying methods (sun-drying, shade-drying and oven-drying at 60 °C). The essential oils of every treatment were obtained by hydro-distillation method using clevenger apparatus. The oils were analyzed by GC and GC–MS. The main constituents of the oils in shade method were Limonene (4.0%), 1,8-Cineole (1.92%), trans-B- ocimene (3.2%), Neral (23.5%), Geranial (34.2%), (E)-caryophyllene (3.2%), GermacreneD (5.5%), bicyclogermacrene (4.1%), (E)-Nerolidol (1.8%) and Caryophyllene oxide (2.4%). The analysis of variance showed that the different drying methods had a significant effect on the quantity of essential oil. Finally it could be concluded that shade and sun drying method is suitable for highest essential oil quantity and Neral and Geranial concentration.