Volatile compounds, bioactive properties and chlorophylls contents in dried spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) as affected by different drying method

This study presents a comparison of the quality characteristics spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) dried by photovoltaic thermal dryer (PDS), shade (SDS), and an oven (ODS). The samples obtained were evaluated with respect to volatile compounds (VC), total phenolic (TPC) flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant capacity (AC) chlorophyll contents. PDS had highest amount TPC, TFC AC, while SDS ODS did not differ significantly from each other concerning values these features. exhibited chlorophylls (Chl a) b b) contents, whereas showed lowest. composition VC in spearmints was affected drying methods used. terpenoids, especially carvone, responsible for typical aroma higher than that other, concentrations most results show (PVT) can be recommended drying.