Impact of processing methods and storage on the chemical composition of Artemisia argyi essential oil

This study examines the influence of various processing methods, storage durations, growth period, and leaf sizes in relation to the yield and chemical characteristics of Artemisia argyi essential oil. Utilizing hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) on 24 samples, we evaluated the effects of cultivar and processing treatments. Optimal oil yield and a chemically diverse profile were achieved by cultivating whole A. argyi leaves, employing natural sun drying, short-term storage, and harvesting during the vegetative growth stage. Natural sun drying not only enhanced oil yield but also increased the concentration of key components such as Eucalyptol. Storage duration significantly influenced oil composition, with one to two years of storage modulating concentrations of critical compounds like Eucalyptol and (+)-2-Bornanone. Furthermore, variations across A. argyi cultivars highlighted the importance of selection in essential oil production. This study provides evidence-based guidance for optimizing A. argyi essential oil extraction and supports its potential for functional product development and industrial applications.