Plectranthus sp. belongs to the family Lamiaceae and includes about 300 species. Two of them, P. barbatus (PB) and P. ornatus (PO), have medicinal interest. The main substances found in Plectranthus sp. are the diterpenoids, essential oils and phenolic compounds. The best way to use the leaves of PB and PO is cool; but for marketing there is a need of resort to drying processes. However, this may interfere on the values of active principle; thus, studies to determine the best gravimetric methods are important. The objective of this study was to evaluate the best method of drying, where there the greater loss of water possible, and calculate the percentage of the extracts to assess whether the gravimetric method interferes with the amount of extract produced. To this was done by drying four different methods ventilated dry (EVF), conventional drying (ECO), microwave (MCO) and layer thing (CD) and after evaporation of the solvent, was made the calculation the percentage of the dried extract. The water content was higher in PB and PO (overall average of 90.12±8.22%). Among the drying, EVF was more efficient for PB (88.87%) and ECO was better for PO (95.13%). The highest content of dry extract was for PB in to CD (20.96%), whereas for PO was in to ECO (41.34%). There is no relationship between the drying method and in the quantity of extract obtained.
Brazilian Bolds; gravimetry; post-harvesting
