Comparative Study of Drying Methods: Shade, Solar, and Convection on Phoenicia Juniper plant

Abstract

In the Mediterranean region, Phoenicia juniper is frequently utilized in the culinary and medicinal industries. Despite several studies on alternative drying methods for Phoenicia juniper, there isn't much information in the literature about solar drying this herb. Three different drying techniques were used in this study to dry thin layers of Phoenicia juniper plants: convection drying, solar drying, and shade drying. A typical area in southwest Algeria, Béchar is notorious for its hot, dry summers and cold, dry winters. This is where the study was carried out. In terms of drying rates, the findings indicated that convective drying reached 57.82%, shade drying achieved 59.5%, and solar drying achieved 58.23%.