DESICCATION OF ANATOLIAN SAGE (SALVIA FRUTICOSA MILL.) BY USING GREEN ENERGY

Abstract

The leaves of Anatolian sage (Salvia fruticosa Mill.), one of the medical and aromatic plants, arc picked in May and June and they must be consumed in a short time. The part of the plant remaining outside the fresh consumption process is preserved to bc utilized for a long time by drying out. Significant amount of energy is used in the desiccation of agricultural products, which is the value that is about 60% of the total energy requirement in agicultural production. In the experiment conducted for desiccation of Anatolian sage. two desiccation tests were performed in a desiccation cabinet and one in shade conditions. Plastic piping through which the hot water coming from a solar collector was caused to pass was located on the base of the desiccation cabinet to determine the impact of green energy on desiccation. Through the impact of the hot water in the desiccation, the highest value of the temperature of the leaves was increased up to 54.7 degrees C. This value became 15.7 degrees C to 16.3 degrees C higher than the leaf temperature of other desiccation cabinets. Due to the increase of the leaf temperature through green energy, a decrease in the desiccation period took place. In the desiccation cabinet with hot water pipe, the leaves dried out in 34 hours. This value is 10 hours shorter than other desiccation cabinets. It will be ensured through shortening of the desiccation period that the product quality will become higher, energy consumption in desiccation will be reduced, and the aromatic properties and market value of the product will be increased.