Drying as a preservation strategy for medicinal plants: Physicochemical and functional outcomes for food and human health

Drying is one of the most commonly employed preservation techniques for medicinal plants, significantly influencing their physicochemical and functional properties. This review investigates the impact of various drying methods on the chemical composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and overall quality of medicinal plants. These changes can diminish the therapeutic potential of the plants, thereby limiting their effectiveness in food applications and human health remedies. However, certain drying techniques are shown to better preserve these functional properties. The review discusses the integration of dried medicinal plants into functional foods, nutraceuticals, and supplements, showcasing…

• MO
  Ministry of Education
• MO
  Ministry of Education, India
• II
  Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur