I am looking for most preferable ways of drying plant material for its extract preparation. Whether to use shade dry, freeze dry, oven dry or to go with another method; suggest me effective way which cause least affect on its phytochemicals.
Drying in the oven at the temperatures of nearly 50°C is a common and convenient method for the mentioned purpose. However, if the extract is consisted of highly sensitive bio-active compounds, I suggest that you use freeze drying.
You should be dry the plant materials under shade at room temperature (30-45 °C). There may have some photosensitive materials, so direct sunray is not the recommended way to dry the same.
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