Effects of Drying in Sun and Shade on Essential Oil Content and Composition of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.)

The research was carried out to determine the effects of natural drying (in sun and shade) on essential oil content and composition of hyssop. essential oil content of hyssop harvested in full blooming period was dried two different natural environment which are in sun (32,14°c; 26,29%rh) and shade (25,95 °c; 42,76%rh). drying in sun occurred faster than in shade. essential oil content of hyssop harvested in full blooming period decreased from 0,54% to 0,43% in shade and 0,30% in sun. this indicates that essential oil content of hyssop decreased 20,4% in shade drying environment and decreased 44,4% in sun drying environment (p<0.01). when the effects of drying conditions on essential oil content and composition of hyssop, in shade drying 1.8-cineol (51,89%), β-mirsen (8,84%), germacren d (6,27%) and γ-elemen (6,10%) were determined higher but in sun drying elemol (8,99%) were determined higher. in conclusion, effects of natural air drying conditions of hyssop in different temperatures, drying time and drying rate on essential oil content and composition should be investigated as well.