INFLUÊNCIA DA TEMPERATURA E VELOCIDADE DO AR DE SECAGEM NO TEOR E COMPOSIÇÃO QUÍMICA DO ÓLEO ESSENCIAL DE CAPIM-LIMÃO

Authors:	P.M. Martins, E.C. Melo, L.C.A.B. Barbosa, R.H.S. Santos, M.C. Machado
Keywords:	Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, medicinal plants, essential oil, drying
Abstract: With the objective of determining the influence of the temperature and speed of the drying air in the content and chemical composition of the essential oil of lemongrass, an experimental dryer of 4 trays was used with individual capacity of 0,225 kg. The drying air temperatures were 40, 50 and 60 ºC, combined with air velocity of 0.5 and 1.0 m.s^-1. An increase in oil yield of 21% was observed when comparing the amount of oil extracted from samples of fresh produce with that obtained with samples dried attn 60°C. In relation to the citral, there was increase of 5% in the content, observed to 40°C, in relation to the fresh product. Citral losses were verified in the dry product to 50 and 60°C, in relation to the fresh product, of 3.5 and 12%, respectively. The drying air velocity didn't influence the oil content and the amount of the main compound (citral).
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