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Abstract
The effect of drying processing was investigated in wild marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) in the western Himalayas. Experiment on three drying methods (shade, sun, and oven) and seven post-harvest drying time (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h) were studied under a completely randomized design. The essential oil (EO) was obtained by hydrodistillation and was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The moisture content of tagetes herbage was lower, while essential oil yield (g/kg dry matter) was significantly higher in sun drying for 72 h. The total area percentages of identified compounds of T. minuta essential oil were 90.5 to 94.5 % for drying method and 85.9-96.7 % for drying time. Drying methods and drying time had no significant impact on the number of EO components, as 9 chemical constituents were identified in every drying treatment. The major components were (Z)-ocimene, dihydrotagetone, (E) & (Z)-tagetone, and (E) & (Z)-tagetenone. The EO amount and the area percentage of its two main components (Z)-ocimene and dihydrotagetone were significantly influenced by the different drying methods and time. Higher proportions of (Z)-ocimene and lower proportion of dihydrotagetone in the EO of sun-dried tagetes herbage for 60 h were more pronounced. Further increase in drying time caused a greater loss in the percentage of (Z)-ocimene.