COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT DRYING METHODS ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF ROSMARINUS OF FICINALIS L

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is an aromatic plant widely valued for its antioxidant properties, yet the impact of different drying methods on its bioactive potential remains underexplored in tropical contexts. This study evaluated the effect of three drying methods sun drying, solar dryer drying, and microwave-vacuum drying-on the physical, antioxidant, and microbiological properties of rosemary leaves harvested in the Dominican Republic. Microwave-vacuum drying drastically reduced processing time (5 min) compared to sun drying (20 h) and solar dryer drying (12 h). This method best preserved the original color (L, a, b values closest to fresh rosemary), achieved the lowest water activity (0.35).