Drying Characteristics, and Essential Oil Yield of Patchouli in ASTRA Model Agricultural Waste Based Crop Dryer
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Author: Anitha M , Prakruthi N, Raj Gangadkar N,
Venu S A, Jayashree C G and Palanimuthu V,
p-ISSN: 0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol: 100, Issue: oct-dec,
DOI:https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.001430
Abstract
Patchouli is an important aromatic herb grown for its essential oil. Patchouli oil is found mainly in the dried leaves and a small quantity of oil is also present in the tender parts of the stem. Center for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore has developed a simple batch type tray drier popularly known as ASTRA Model Agricultural Waste Based Crop Dryer based on the principle of a fuel efficient wood stove. The dryer was fired by using agricultural waste like wood briquettes. The fresh patchouli herbage required about 14 h of drying time to dry from an initial moisture content of 80 %(wb) to a final moisture content of 11-12 % (wb)in ASTRA Dryer. The mean essential oil yield was 2.24 per cent in samples dried in ASTRA Dryer.
Keywords: Patchouli, Astra dryer, Patchouli oil, Wood, Briquettes
