Effects of Drying Conditions on the Antioxidant Activities and Volatile Compounds of Chrysanthemi Flos Flowers

The effects of drying conditions on the antioxidant activities, luteolin, and volatile compounds of Chrysanthemi Flos flowers were evaluated. The flowers were dried with hot-air or far-infrared radiation at 40${^{\circ}C}$, 50${^{\circ}C}$ and 60${^{\circ}C}$, respectively, to reach 22$\pm$1% of moisture content. Each 10 g of the dried flowers were extracted with 100 mL of 95% ethanol. Increasing temperature in hot-air dried (HAD) conditions increased the antioxidant activities of the flower extracts. However, increasing temperature in far-infrared dried (FID) conditions decreased the antioxidant activities of the extracts. Luteolin, one of main flavonoids of Chrysanthemi Flos flowers, was present in the highest content at 60${^{\circ}C}$ FID flowers with a value of 139 $\mu$g/mL. Thirteen volatile compounds including camphor and β-caryophyllene were identified in chromatograms. Higher amount of the volatiles were found at 50${^{\circ}C}$ HAD and 40${^{\circ}C}$ FID. The results indicated that the antioxidant activities and volatile compounds of Chrysanthemi Flos flowers were significantly affected by drying conditions.