Effect of drying temperature and air speed on cichoric acid and alkylamide content of Echinacea purpurea

The objective of the investigations was to determine the effect of drying temperature and air speed on cichoric acid and alkylamide content in one-year-old Echinacea purpurea aerial biomass. The samples were obtained from a commercial crop at the Faculty of Agronomy, University of Concepcion, in Chillan, Chile. Samples were harvested between 9-11 am. They were thoroughly cleaned and then dried in a 'Protector and Schwarz' dryer. A completely randomised design was applied with factorial arrangement of two factors: temperature and air speed. The experimental units were trays with 1 kg plant in each one. Each tray was weighed every 5 minutes until samples had moisture content of 15%. Thereafter samples were ground and cichoric acid and alkylamide content was determined. Results indicated that temperature had a significant effect on the content of both metabolites. The highest content for both metabolites was determined at 40 C. The data clearly reveals that as temperature or air speed was increased, dehydration time decreased.