Agronomical and postharvest evaluation of the essential oils of Sicilian rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) biotypes

Rosmarinus officinalis L. is an aromatic shrub commonly found in the Mediterranean area. It is used in cooking both to add aroma and as a preservative in processed foods. Essential oils of rosemary are used in medicine and in the cosmetics industry due to their considerable biological properties. The yield and quality of rosemary essential oils mainly depend upon the chemo type, environmental conditions and cultivation techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of essential oils of wild R. officinalis biotypes found in Sicily using different drying methods. Five types of drying methods were used for the tests: a) shade drying under a roof using natural air ventilation; b) direct sunlight drying; c) oven drying at 30°C; d) oven drying at 40°C; e) oven drying at 50°C. The results highlight qualitative and quantitative differences with regards to the dry methods and essential oils.