Influence of Solar Drying on the Phytochemical Screen of Equisetopsida Asterales

Abstract

We are interested by studying the influence of two drying methods: in the shade and solar energy, on phytochemical composition. For this, we choose the rhizomes of the plant Equisetopsida Asterales, a species that can be found in the poor soil of Provence and Corsica. It prefers dry, sunny places in the Mediterranean. It is native to Southwest Asia, the East and spread in North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya), Australia and the Americas, and Europe (Greece, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain). Equisetopsida Asterales rhizomes are used in Algeria as a traditional cream, which contributes to the disappearance of scars generated by burning. The antimicrobial properties of medicinal and aromatic plants have been known since antiquity. However, it was not until the early 20th century that scientists are beginning to show interest. It is known that the treatment of microbial infection is mainly based on the use of antibiotics, several work is devoted to the study of the antimicrobial power of essential oils. After some experiences in this work, the important result was obtained, time of Equisetopsida Asterales by solar energy is better than shade; and yield of essential oil extracted is better from the rhizomes dried by solar energy.