Infrared determination of the moisture content of fruits of essential oil plants of the Apiaceae family

Introduction. One of the most important quality indicators of any type of medicinal plant materials (MPM) is its moisture along with identity, which are controlled during a pharmacopoeial assay. Objective: to develop a procedure for determining the moisture content of air-dried MPM by infrared thermogravimetry (IR TG), by using the fruits of essential oil plants of the Apiaceae family as an example. Material and methods. The objects of the investigation were MPM samples from the group of fruits of some representatives of the Apiaceae family, which contained a leading group of biologically active compounds, such as essential oils of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), common dill (Anethum graveolens L.), anise (Anisum vulgare Gaertn.), and caraway (Carum carvi L.) Results. The optimal parameters determining the numerical indicator Moisture Content for the test types of MPMs were selected by IR TG using an automatic moisture analyzer. The moisture content in the samples of the test types of raw materials was ascertained to vary from 7.24 to 10.95%, which was comparable with those obtained by the air-thermal method (from 6.54 to 9.45%). Conclusion. The procedure has been developed to determine the moisture content of MPM by IR TG. The technique has advantages (rapidity, accuracy, less laboriousness, and energy efficiency) over the pharmacopoeial air-thermal method using an exsiccator.

medicinal plant materials, fruits, Apiaceae, moisture, essential oil, infrared thermogravimetric method